The west coast of Vancouver Island defines the phrase ‘an area of outstanding beauty’. From the majestic ice capped mountains to the untouched cedar-lined coasts - eco-systems thrive almost undisturbed<br /><br />This is one of the last places on the Northwest coast, where there is coastal temperate rain forest – the old growth forest.<br /><br />A lot of the natural habitat hasn’t been destroyed and is still intact, there is so much biodiversity.<br /><br />The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve is a 350.000 hectare chunk of land and ocean that is designated under the UNESCO biosphere reserve program.<br /><br />This particular special place was designated in 1970 through tremendous efforts by local First Nations communities and local leaders. The biosphere comprises three main areas: a huge core protected area, a buffer zone or transition zone in which minimal activities can take place, usually around conservation, and of course an area that they call a zone of cooperation where you see most of the development.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://ll.broadbandsports.com/images/39525_thumb.jpg" alt="O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada 2010 – Nature of Vancouver Island" title="O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada 2010 – Nature of Vancouver Island" width="150" height="90" alt="O’Neill Cold Water Classic Canada 2010 – Nature of Vancouver Island"/>
