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Priority Landscapes

Emerald Edge

The largest intact coastal rainforest on Earth, spanning 100 million acres through Washington, British Columbia and Alaska

An aerial view of lush forests edging a large body of w
Clayoquot Sound, Van TNC is working to protect the majestic Emerald Edge. © Bryan Evans
Contact Us

Give to the Emerald Edge

The Nature Conservancy is working to help conserve the Emerald Edge by investing in youth, supporting indigenous leaders, and building sustainable economies.

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Our Stories

Aerial view of Tongass National Forest showing islands of forests amid bodies of water, with mountains in the background and clouds overhead.

Feature

Southeast Alaska Shows New Model for Indigenous-led Stewardship

TNC and several regional partners are co-creating a new permanent funding mechanism, the Seacoast Trust, to fully support and expand Indigenous-led stewardship in Southeast Alaska.

aerial view of waves crashing on a beach near a forest

Conservation Update

A Vision for Clayoquot Sound

In Clayoquot Sound, we support the Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht and Hesquiaht First Nations in creating land use and care visions for their traditional territories.

Mayor Anthony "Tony" Christianson seine fishes

Program Overview

Economic Development in the Emerald Edge

Learn why The Nature Conservancy is developing conservation strategies rooted in economic development for the Emerald Edge.

child holding red elderberry branch

Initiative

Sustainable Southeast Partnership

A regional collective impact initiative in the mostly rural panhandle of Southeast Alaska helping to build trust, renew culture and protect nature in the Tongass National Forest.

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An aerial view of an estuary in Southeast Alaska.

Video

Carbon and Communities: A Groundbreaking Deal

Sealaska Native Corporation has set aside 165,000 acres of forest in Southeast Alaska for an Improved forest management project that will benefit people and nature.

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Explore the Emerald Edge

In the Salt Creek Recreation Area on the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula, Tongue Point is a popular spot for surfers, tide pool explorers, and beach walkers.

Places We Protect

Washington

2019 was an important year for conservation, restoration, science and policy around Washington state.

A portion of the largest and last intact coastal rainforest on earth.

Places We Protect

Canada

In Clayoquot Sound, we can protect 250,000 acres of old-growth forest while addressing climate change, habitat loss and social justice issues.

A glacial-blue stream meanders through the Fall color in the cottonwoods.

Places We Protect

Alaska

Nature has an outsized effect on so many aspects of life in Alaska. Read more in our 2018 Annual Report.

Places in the Emerald Edge

Great Bear Rainforest
Great Bear Rainforest The historic Great Bear Rainforest Agreement places 9 million acres off limits to logging and millions more acres under strict forest management guidelines. © Jason Houston
Great Bear Rainforest
Kitasoo Bay We’re helping build sustainable and resilient communities by supporting local leadership, and natural resource management agencies, schools, and conservation-based businesses. © Jason Houston
William Housty, the Coastwatch Program Director and a member of the Heiltsuk tribe photographed at Koeye River in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, Canada.
Great Bear Rainforest We’re combining our science with traditional First Nations knowledge, including approaches to decision making that incorporate Indigenous laws and customs. © Mark Godfrey/The Nature Conservancy
An aerial view of the Ahousaht Nation’s villagein Clayoquot Sound
Clayoquot Sound We have the chance to conserve old-growth forest in partnership with local Indigenous communities. © Bryan Evans
Across Canada, Indigenous guardian programs are essential for stewardship of land and water. Ahousaht Watchmen walk across beach in Canada.
Clayoquot Sound TNC is partnering with three First Nations—the Hesquiaht, Ahousaht, and Tla-o-qui-aht– to create a new vision for the future of Clayoquot Sound. © TNC
in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington.
Olympic Rainforest In Washington, we're working to return salmon to an abundance that keeps ecosystems and communities thriving. © Bridget Besaw
Point of Arches at Shi Shi Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington.
Olympic Rainforest TNC, coastal tribes, the Hoh River Trust and the WA Department of Natural Resources are working to rebuild the Olympic Rainforest by restoring lands from summits to sea. © Clane Gessel
near Hatchery Creek Falls near Klowak, Alaska.
Tongass National Forest In Alaska, we strive to protect and restore the ecological integrity and unique natural qualities of this coastal rainforest. © Chris Crisman
Clear-cutting in Tongass National Forest on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska.
Tongass National Forest We're working to sustain local economies and maintain the quality of life valued by people who live and work in the region. © Erika Nortemann/The Nature Conservancy
× Great Bear Rainforest
× Great Bear Rainforest
× William Housty, the Coastwatch Program Director and a member of the Heiltsuk tribe photographed at Koeye River in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, Canada.
× An aerial view of the Ahousaht Nation’s villagein Clayoquot Sound
× Across Canada, Indigenous guardian programs are essential for stewardship of land and water. Ahousaht Watchmen walk across beach in Canada.
× in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington.
× Point of Arches at Shi Shi Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington.
× near Hatchery Creek Falls near Klowak, Alaska.
× Clear-cutting in Tongass National Forest on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska.