The team of Canadian and U.S. scientists assembled by Round River Conservation Studies set to work studying and mapping, consulting with local biologists, conservationists, First Nations and others who knew the coast so well. They identified 'keystone' and 'indicator' species such as the salmon and grizzly bear, and determined what had to be preserved to maintain the ecological integrity of the rainforest. They have developed and mapped layers of information that can be incorporated into a larger ecosystem-based planning process, aimed at protecting all the values of the Central Coast.

After three years of work, the Conservation Areas Design (CAD) for B.C.'s Central Coast is complete, and phase two, mapping the Northern portion of the rainforest, is underway. It's not a complete solution, but it is a huge start. As new scientific data becomes available it will be incorporated into the design. The CAD must be reviewed by First Nations who are the traditional stewards on the coast; their interests and cultural values will then be integrated. Equally important, consultation must take place with all other stakeholders. But for now, we know what it will take to preserve the ecological integrity of B.C.'s Central Coast rainforest, and can begin to structure human economic activity to fit within that framework.