About the
Cowichan Community Land Trust Society

The Cowichan Land Trust is a non-profit society located in Duncan, British Columbia. It is a registered charity in Canada and is entitled to hold conservation covenants in British Columbia. It was founded in 1995 by a group of concerned citizens who wished to help landowners find alternatives to the degradation of natural areas and wildlife habitat.

Purpose

The Cowichan Community Land Trust is committed to conserving, protecting, and enhancing the quality of the human and natural environment in and near the Cowichan Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada

Mission

We help to take care of the land and water in the Cowichan Valley for the benefit of all life now and in the future. We do this by acquiring land, entering into conservation agreements, and by providing education and support to individuals and other groups who are caring for the land.

What is a land trust?

Land Trusts (also called conservancies) are non-profit charitable societies that operate for the benefit of all living things, and are dedicated to the conservation, protection and management of our natural and cultural heritage. The conservation of privately owned land is done through public education programs, cooperative landowner contact and stewardship programs, holding conservation covenants, land purchases and donations. Land Trusts rely on community support through volunteers, memberships, and donations. For more information about land trusts, visit www.landtrustalliance.bc.ca.

Governing Documents

Bylaws
Constitution
The Earth Charter (or view as PDF)
Standards and Practices for Canadian Land Trusts

Board of Directors

Jim Ayers
Bruce Holms
Rod Carswell
Robert Douglas
Gary C Gallinger
Roger Hart
John Scull
Jane Kilthei

Ann Eriksson

Staff

Executive Director, Kai Rietzel: kai@cowichanlandtrust.ca
Project Assistant, Meghan Loop: meg@cowichanlandtrust.ca

What Lands?

The Cowichan Valley includes the watersheds of the Chemainus, Cowichan, and Koksilah Rivers, Shawnigan Creek, and numerous small creeks that drain into the Somenos Wetlands. Being part of the E & N land grant located on the east side of Vancouver Island, more than 98% of the land in the Cowichan Valley is privately owned. The Valley is home to several First Nations who traditionally subsisted on the region's once-plentiful marine resources. Since the arrival of people from the Eastern Hemisphere mining, forestry, and agriculture have been historical land uses. Recently housing, especially for retirement, has become the engine of economic growth. Open spaces are rapidly disappearing, including privately-owned forest lands.

In areas such as the Cowichan Valley, where most remaining natural and environmentally sensitive areas occur on privately owned lands, long term conservation will only be successful with the involvement and participation of landowners.

About Us

About the Cowichan Community Land Trust Society