Howe Sound (Átl'ka7tsem), British Columbia’s most southern fjord, has a storied history marked by significant environmental challenges and a remarkable recovery. Large-scale mining operations began at Britannia Beach in 1905, and by 1929, the area was home to the largest copper mine in the British Empire. For nearly seven decades, the mine was a major economic driver, but it left behind a troubling legacy. The mine's closure in 1974 did not immediately end its environmental impact. Decades of toxic effluent discharge severely polluted the Howe Sound, leading to its designation as a "dead zone" where marine life struggled to survive.

However, mother nature and her natural recovery processes have gradually transformed Howe Sound. Today, this once severely polluted body of water is witnessing a resurgence of marine life and ecological health. Species such as herring, salmon, harbour seals, California and Stellar sea lions, river otters, harbour porpoises, orca, Pacific-white sided dolphins, humpbacks, bald eagles, herons, oyster catchers, harlequin ducks, mergansers, and double-crested and pelagic cormorants are returning, signaling a positive shift towards a healthier ecosystem. Howe Sound's recovery serves as a testament to the resilience of nature and the importance of sustained environmental restoration efforts. Yet, it cannot end here. As industry continues, it is crucial we proactively protect what has returned to Howe Sound and monitor that it remains a safe and quiet habitat.