A Legacy Ecosystem
Sallish Sea Ecosystem Map (credit: WWU and EPA)
Every 10 years, nominations can be submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for gain designation for a place as a World Heritage site. World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas recognized by the Agency for having unique cultural, historical, or scientific significance. Examples of past site designations have included Australia's Great Barrier Reef; Cambodia's Ankor Wat; and the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. A complete list of past designations is available here. A transnational effort, led by Canada and the USA, made a combined submission to establish the Salish Sea as a new heritage site.
The Salish Sea is a marine ecosystem that stretches from Puget Sound in Washington State to its headwaters in the mountains of British Columbia. The US National Park Service notes the term for the watery region is a recent innovation of geographers who wanted to stress the natural ecosystems and human cultures interconnected by this body of water. Canada's Salish tribes have lived in this region for eons and American settlers were also drawn there because of its abundance of natural resources. It is now home to millions of people and hosts visitors from around the world.
Most previously successful heritage designations, made for the requisite environmental reasons or cultural connections, began with initiatives launched by engaged individuals or small interest groups. A video was produced on the Salish Sea showing the myriad benefits gained from this integrated land and sea ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately, the first attempt was not successful by the UN decision-making body tasked with making the decision. The Salish Sea will need to wait for the next opportunity to submit to be recognized as international heritage site. WHB