History of the WMA Designation

The province of British Columbia recognized the ecological significance of the Tofino Mudflats over 50 years ago. In the 1950s, the Provincial Museum and the B.C. Game Department documented waterfowl resources in the Tofino area to determine its suitability as a “public shooting ground.” The first formal protection was instated in 1956, when several parcels of land were designated as reserves for “Use, Recreation and Enjoyment of the Public.”

In 1993, the Pacific Estuary Conservation Program recommended that Tofino Mudflats become the top priority on Vancouver Island for development of a Wildlife Management Area (WMA). A proposal was drafted and referred to 15 agencies, public groups, First Nations, and the Clayoquot Sound Central Region Board (CRB). On April 10, 1997, the Tofino Mudflats were officially designated as a Wildlife Management Area.

Mandate

The WMA designation protects key habitats and thereby ensures the long-term viability and ecological health of the fish and wildlife living in the Tofino Mudflats.

Environmental impacts and threats to the WMA include resource depletion, bird disturbance, other wildlife-human interactions, and environmental degradation. These issues are being addressed by:

• Increasing awareness and education about the WMA among adjacent landowners, other local residents, and visitors to Clayoquot Sound.
  
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• Encouraging the development of community stewardship programs.
  
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• Collecting ecological data and species inventories within the WMA.
  
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• Prohibiting development and other activities that are detrimental to sensitive fish and wildlife habitats.
  
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• Collaborating with municipal, First Nations, regional and federal government agencies in improving environmental conditions beyond the WMA boundaries.

Management Plan

A management plan for the WMA was developed in 2001. The plan is implemented with assistance from a local Advisory Committee of interested individuals and organizations. You can download the three documents that comprise the Management Plan: Backgrounder, WMA Management Plan, and Wildlife Viewing Management.