Seeing Cowichan Forests Beyond Trees
Phase 1 report now available
John Scull was instrumental in the development of this initiative. It has been lovingly dedicated to John’s memory and his commitment to conservation and restoration in our region. Photo courtesy of Linda Hill. In March 2020, the Cowichan Community Land Trust (CCLT) launched the first phase of a new initiative: Seeing Cowichan Forests Beyond Trees. Funding for the initial phase was obtained from the Vancouver Foundation’s System Change grant program. The objectives of phase one were to:- Research forest conservation mechanisms and strategies already in place within the region,
- Assess and evaluate opportunities and barriers to forest conservation,
- Gather input from the community regarding forest conservation awareness and concerns, and
- Enhance understanding about how the CCLT could support more forest conservation and reforestation on private land in the Cowichan Valley.
- Expanding and promoting the capacity to hold conservation covenants within privately owned forest land,
- Educating the community and land-owners about the value and benefits of conservation covenants on forest ecosystems,
- Building awareness and community capacity to adopt voluntary best practices for tending forest ecosystems in the Cowichan region,
- Pursuing research opportunities related to the extent of old and mature forests in the region as well as the potential applicability of carbon offset initiatives,
- Working collaboratively with community partners to build non-governmental organization capacity to drive change,
- Proactively engaging with local and provincial governments to promote and support related initiatives, and
- Expanding First Nations engagement.