Conservancy overview
Pooley Conservancy features a number of small watersheds and lakes draining directly into the ocean along with scenic old growth forested hills and sub-alpine areas. The elusive white Kermode bear frequents the estuaries of Pooley Island while salmon use the main creeks at James and Windy Bays. Sharing borders with Fiordland Conservancy, this conservancy encompasses more than 3000 hectares of the north eastern portion of Pooley Island. James and Windy Bays are listed as Provincial Boat Havens with James Bay providing a safe anchorage and destination waypoint en route to Fiordland Conservancy.
Pooley Conservancy is located within the Kitasoo First Nation traditional territory and is co-managed under an agreement between the Kitasoo Nation and the Province of British Columbia. This co-operative management agreement will allow the Kitasoo Nation to access land and resources for their use within the Conservancy while achieving conservation and recreation objectives for the area.
Conservancy Size: 3,269 ha
Advisories
Camping
Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
Facilities
Activities
The conservancy is open to hunting. Please refer to the British Columbia Hunting Regulations for more information.
Maps and location
Pooley Conservancy is located 20km northwest of Klemtu, 45km north of Bella Bella and 110km northwest of Bella Coola and shares boarders with Fiordland Conservancy. Pooley can be accessed by boat via Mathieson Channel or via Finlayson Channel and Sheep Passage.
Learn more about this conservancy
Conservancy details
- Date established: July 13, 2006
- Size: 3269 hectares
Nature and culture
- History: This conservancy was established pursuant to recent government land use decisions in the Central Coast LRMP area.
- Cultural Heritage: Pooley Conservancy is in the asserted territories of the Heiltsuk and Kitasoo First Nations. Windy and James Bays hold high cultural, heritage and fisheries values for the Kitasoo/XaiXais First Nation. The Kitasoo people have traditionally used Pooley Island for berry picking, collecting medicines, and gathering wood for crafts and housing. The area is also a traditional hunting and fishing area.
- Conservation: The primary role of the Pooley Conservancy is to maintain wolf/deer interactions and habitat values. The conservancy maintains watershed integrity along with Kermode bear habitat values. The productive estuaries at Windy and James Bays are protected within the conservancy along with important fisheries values.
- Wildlife: Often seen feeding in the scenic estuaries of this conservancy are black bears and the famous kermode bear who inhabit the inland. The conservancy is also home to a population of grey wolves which prey upon the island’s deer population. Numerous salmon species utilize the main creeks of James and Windy Bays for spawning grounds.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.