K’ómoks Guardian Program
Through the Guardian Program, K’ómoks First Nation applies its traditional decision-making approach to protecting their lands and waters. Current activities of the Guardians include environmental monitoring and research, wildlife and traditional plant inventories, cultural protection and community outreach. Specific projects have included eel grass and kelp mapping, salmon hatchery work, butterfly research, medicinal plants inventory, cultural site inventory and monitoring, shellfish and crustacean sampling, and poaching patrols.
The K’ómoks First Nation is located in the Comox Valley on eastern Vancouver Island. With a current population of 300 members, the traditional territory of the K’ómoks extends 200 kilometres from the Salmon River in the north to the Englishman River in the south. The Comox Valley is highly urbanized and developed, with over-fishing, inappropriate forestry practices and environmental degradation key concerns to the Nation. The K’ómoks Guardian Program works with partners to protect the region’s natural resources from further degradation and to maintain and enhance the ecological health of the territory, as well as public education. The K’ómoks Guardians have created great awareness of the program and strong working relationships with many local agencies, and work closely with neighbouring First Nation Guardians to ensure the whole coast is protected.
Contact name
Tina McLean, Band Administrator
Phone number
250-339-4545
Website
https://hamayas.ca/member-nation/komoks
3330 Comox Road
Courtenay BC V9N 3P8
Canada