Islands in the Salish Sea: an Online Community Atlas

In the early 2000s, artists across the Gulf Islands of British Columbia drew inspiration from the vibrant communities around them and worked together to map the places they treasured. This three-year bioregional mapping project culminated in the 2005 "Islands in the Salish Sea: A Community Atlas," co-edited by Sheila Harrington and Judi Stevenson, and published through the Land Trust Alliance of BC and Touchwood Editions. 

Two decades later, the inspiration that began the mapping project continues through the efforts of Bert Webber and Sheila Harrington. Together with Olivia Hobson of BlueWater GIS, they have developed an interactive explorer website that features artistic maps created by the island artists, residents, and Indigenous communities, along with the historical context of each map. The digitized website also features new 2024 maps and an explanation of the Salish Sea and how its name came to be. The Salish Sea Institute has chosen a small selection of islands highlighted below to help you begin your journey. Alternatively, you can begin your adventure on the home page. Map by Tina Spalding.

Click to Begin Adventure!

An artistically drawn map of the Salish Sea region with images of wildlife and the man made problems that are affecting them.

Savary Island

A beach surrounded by water on one side and a steep incline on the other.

Savary island or Áyhus, meaning 'double-headed serpent' is the island's Sliammon name. Over thirteen archaeological sites have been located on the island. The island has an incredible biodiversity, a permanent population of 100, and a max population to 2,000 or more in the summer. Use this link to learn the mapping and preservation efforts of Liz Webster and the Savary Island Land Trust, and to view the Savary Island Map created by Kathy Kerbale and Tony Wypkema. Photo by Magnus, Flickr.

Denman Island

On a wooden walkway looking between two trees at a beach and the ocean beyond.

Denman Island also knows as Sla-dai-aich or Taystayic, in the Indigenous Comox language and Punchlatt by the Pentlatch, houses around 1400 residents and is home to many artisans. One such artist Velda Parsons, drew a map that takes into account the difficulty of trying to capture a moment in time of a living ever changing location. It overcomes this by focusing on a factor that is of great importance to the island and its community, the vast variety of apples that grow and have grown on Denman. Some of the apple trees, and varieties that are enjoyed by many in BC date back to the original settlers who arrived during the 1870s. To see this beautiful map and learn more about the orchards that have been on this island for 150 years, use this link.

Penelakut Island

A map of an island covered in trees with a few houses surrounded by trees.

Penelakut island, formerly called Kuper Island is home to 2 villages with an Indigenous population of 524 who are still dependent on salmon and clams for their staple diet. Use this link to learn more about Penelakut's origin myth, as told by Herb Rice, an Indigenous artisan, and view his traditionally carved cedar panel of Penelakut island. Photo by Kris Krug, Flickr.

Gambier Island

A mountainous island surrounded by water with a slightly cloudy sky above.

Gambier island has around 150 permanent residents. The artistic map painted by Gloria Massé shows only a fraction of the activity, beauty, and wildlife that can be found on the island. Gambier houses a large variety of berries, mushrooms, flowers, butterflies, wildlife, and over 160 species of birds. Use this link to see the beautiful map and learn more about the process that went into its creation. Photo by Kyle Pearce, Flickr.