Project Timetable

• 2018 (Fall) - Concerned citizens met with North Cowichan CAO Ted Swabey about plans to log Stoney Hill. Ted advised the group that they should prepare a delegation and present their concerns to the Mayor and Council

• 2018 (Fall) - WhereDoWeStand was formed

• 2019 (Spring) - WhereDoWeStand presents a petition to the North Cowichan Council signed by over 1,500 residents. The petition states: "We are requesting a pause in all logging of the North Cowichan Municipal Forests to allow time for public consultation on the future of our six public forest reserves. In light of accelerating ecological, economic, and social changes, I believe that the public requires in-depth information from a broad range of experts on the forests."

• 2019 (Spring) - As per the North Cowichan Press Release: "North Cowichan pauses logging in the Municipal Forest. In response to public interest in harvesting activities and requests for a review of forest management, Council dramatically limited harvesting in 2019 and initiated two initiatives: 1) undertaking public engagement, both deep and broad, on the future management of the MFR and 2) a technical review of forest management practices, options, and scenarios. The technical review will support the public engagement process by providing the information needed for informed public participation, and the public engagement process will inform the evaluation of the technical scenarios and options."

• 2019 (Spring) - Performing Arts Events hosted by WhereDoWeStand attended by over 700 people. To view the video presentations click here

• 2021 (Summer) - a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by North Cowichan and the Quw'utsun Nation, which is comprised of Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Stz’uminus First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, and Lyackson First Nation. The MOU outlines the establishment of a Municipal Forest Reserve (MFR) Working Group to share information in relationship to the stewardship and use of the MFR for the benefit of the community. The agreement signifies the commitment by both parties to continue meeting and discussing activities in the MFR.

• 2021 Fall -  Stakeholders and the public were invited to share their values about the Municipal Forest Reserve (MFR). Four virtual online workshops, a survey, and 19 stakeholder interviews resulted in a detailed report that outlined what people value about the MFR.

• 2022 (Fall) - Phase 2 Public Engagement (Workshops, Online Survey, Phone Survey & Town Hall Meeting)

• 2023 (Jan) - Phase 2  Public Engagement Survey Results 

• 2023 (Spring) UBC Forestry begins detailed analysis of selected Forest Management Scenario. As per North Cowichan Website: The UBC Group will use the feedback to adjust the potential forest management scenarios (if necessary) and present these to Council for a decision. A detailed forest management plan will then need to be developed to support the preferred scenario.

• 2023 (Spring) - First Nations Review still ongoing

• 2025 (April) - North Cowichan by-election for open Council seat with ramifications for the future of the Forest Review (read article)