It also includes all marine islands of British Columbia and a small portion of the southwestern corner of the Yukon.

To the south, the small flatland of the Fraser Valley is located at the southern end of the Coast Mountains, noted for temperate rainforests.

[3] Moderated by the influence of the Pacific Ocean, the zone experiences mild winters and cool summers.

[3] The region is the only home for some species of birds, including the American black oystercatcher, the chestnut-backed chickadee and the tufted puffin.

[2] The Gulf Islands and Saanich Peninsula contain "the last remnants of the highly endangered Garry oak ecosystem".