Environmentally Sensitive Area Mapping

Update 2026 - 2027

Squamish is home to rich and sensitive ecological habitat. Much of the land connects to wetlands and watercourses that support salmon and other fish populations, and forests that provide critical wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, and natural drainage systems.

These sensitive areas provide important habitat and ecosystem benefits. Keeping an up-to-date inventory of these areas helps guide land development and protect important natural features. You can find information about these environmentally sensitive areas more easily when it’s shown on a map.

What is Environmentally Sensitive Areas Mapping?

Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) mapping is an information inventory and ranking system. This inventory of all environmentally sensitive areas is translated into map layers that are an important visual tool to determine if or how lands can be developed with the least impact.

The District uses this mapped information to help in land-use planning, policy, and other purposes including supporting the next Official Community Plan (OCP) review beginning in 2028. This information was last updated in 2017.

• ESA mapping project completed in 2017.

Why update ESA Mapping?

• Changing environments make regular mapping updates necessary and significant changes have happened within the District over the last decade. 
• Updated technology has enabled more precise mapping techniques to improve data quality.
• The District will have access to Wildlife Connectivity Project GIS dada in the Fall which can improve ESA mapping. This project is a multi-jurisdictional ecological review lead by Nature Squamish and aligns with the municipality’s goals to protect and enhance natural areas through habitat connectivity and supporting healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.

This ESA Mapping Update will: 

• Comprehensively review and update all available and applicable environmentally sensitive area information. 
• Refine and update the ESA mapping layer and Ecosystem Sensitivity Ratings/Rankings. 

Phase 1: August - December 2026

Phase 1 includes consultant-led research and review to create a technical foundation and a report that summarizes:

• Methodology
• Data reviewed
• Key findings
• Data gaps 
• Fact-checking plan
• Recommended updates

Phase 2: January – December 2027

Implementing Phase 1 Recommendations and producing:

• An updated GIS data set to integrate into the District’s web mapping system.
• A report summarising the mapping methods, results, discussion, and recommendations for applications to District policy.
• Integration of data outputs from the Wildlife Connectivity Project.