Background
In 2000, organizations with an interest in or jurisdiction over Esquimalt Lagoon, Coburg Peninsula and the surrounding lands came together to discuss environmental issues and explore opportunities for partnerships. Many of these agencies and stakeholder groups decided to work together and the Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative (ELSI) was formed. ELSI was established to address issues related to the environmental quality of the lagoon and to facilitate coordination between multiple levels of government involved in managing the area.
ELSI is led by a consensus-based steering committee which is chaired by the Harbours and Watersheds Coordinator from the Capital Regional District (CRD). The Steering Committee’s role is to implement actions to achieve the goals of the Stewardship Plan. Two working subcommittees, Planning and Restoration and Outreach and Education focus on the projects and provide information to the Steering Committee. A part-time coordinator funded by the CRD initiates and manages projects, seeks funding and organizes ELSI.
Esquimalt Lagoon
The Esquimalt Lagoon is located in Colwood, British Columbia, Canada, on the southern part of Vancouver Island near the city of Victoria. The Esquimalt Lagoon is a natural tidal water body semi-enclosed by a natural sand and gravel barrier spit. The lagoon itself and the surrounding lands are high use recreational areas directly adjacent to a rapidly growing residential area. The Esquimalt Lagoon is regionally significant due to its unique ecology, its designation as a federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS) and its importance to First Nations as a place where they exercise their special and ancient relationship to the land, water and natural resources.