CARL is based on Salt Spring Island, within the Salish Sea region of British Columbia.

Our work takes place across the Southern Gulf Islands, where we focus on many rare and ecologically significant landscapes shaped by both natural processes and long-term human activity. The region faces increasing pressures from climate change, including drought, wildfire risk, and extreme weather events, making it a critical place for applied climate adaptation work.

The Climate Adaptation Research Lab respectfully acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the SENĆOŦEN and Hul’q’umi’num’ speaking peoples. These include the Penálaxeth’ (Penelakut), Quw’utsun (Cowichan), Lyackson, SȾÁUTW (Tsawout), Stz’uminus (Chemainus), Snuneymuxw, W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), Halalt, W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum), and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations.

These Nations have lived in relationship with the lands and waters of the Salish Sea, including Salt Spring Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands, since time immemorial. Their deep knowledge systems, stewardship practices, and enduring presence continue to shape these territories.

We recognize the deep and ongoing relationships these Nations have with the land and waters of this region. CARL is committed to learning from and working respectfully alongside Indigenous knowledge holders and communities to support stewardship practices that honour these longstanding connections.