North Cowichan cannot be a leader if it is not a team player
Time to join the team effort to protect a critically imperilled ecosystem
The Municipal website states, "North Cowichan is striving to become a leader in environmental policies and practice."
To that end, Councilor Justice put forward a notice of motion for the July 19 Council meeting - asking staff to investigate the costs and benefits of North Cowichan joining the Coastal Douglas-Fir and Associated Ecosystems Conservation Partnership (CDFCP).
The CDFCP is a collaboration of 44 government agencies, organizations, and land managers who are focused on promoting and protecting healthy Coastal Douglas-fir and associated ecosystems into the future.
The Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF) zone is the smallest and most at-risk zone in B.C. As home to the highest number of species and ecosystems at risk in B.C., many of which are ranked globally as critically imperilled, it is of great conservation concern.
The term "associated ecosystems” also encompasses the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone, a very dry maritime variant (CWHxm), which is also at risk.
Why is this relevant to North Cowichan?
The North Cowichan Forest Reserve falls within the CDF and CWHxm zones.
Since we own these forests, we have the power like no other community in the Country to protect a critically emperilled ecosystem.
The recently completed Municipal Forest Review community engagement process, revealed a strong desire that conservation, biodiversity and ecological services be emphasized in the future management of our forests.
The irony is that we are surrounded by political and environmental organizations involved - why not us? - time to rectify this shortcoming and become part of the team.
The members of the CDFCP include the BC Ministry of Forests, Nanaimo, Island Trust, CVRD, Comox Valley Regional District, to name a few.
Why join now?
North Cowichan is currently developing a Biodiversity Protection Policy and is identifying areas of significant ecological importance within the municipality.
The Biodiversity Protection Policy will identify, quantify, and assess significant ecological assets, and the information will help to develop policies, goals, and monitoring programs to protect and restore these assets.
The North Cowichan Forest Reserve is our most significant ecological asset. Spread out over 6 mountains, it is more than 5,000 hectares of mainly intact and mature forest lands.
If you are escaping to the cool of our forest this summer to bike, hike and enjoy the beauty of this unique, endangered ecosystem - Write now to council@northcowichan.ca and show your support for North Cowichan joining the CDFCP. Your emails can make a difference.
Rob Fullerton
Icel Dobell
Where Do We Stand