Community members are invited to share their input as part of North Cowichan’s Municipal Forest Reserve review. The first round of public engagement will provide opportunities for people to share what they value about the MFR and to learn more.
A facilitated Zoom workshop is offered on four dates. The workshop format includes a short presentation followed by small group break-out discussions. Advance registration is required.
Dates and times of the sessions are: Wednesday, Nov. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m.-noon; Saturday, Nov. 27, 2-4 p.m.; and Thursday, Dec. 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
All workshops will have the same format and information so people are requested to only sign up for only one as space is limited. A wait list is available should dates fill up. Register at: northcowichan.ca/forestry.
A survey will be available at northcowichan.ca/forestry beginning Nov. 22.
Feedback heard through this round of engagement will be used to inform the forest management scenarios being prepared by the UBC Partnership Group (UBC, 3GreenTree Consulting and Coastal Douglas Fir Conservation Partnership). These forest management scenarios will be reviewed by council and then shared with the community for feedback in spring 2022.
The Municipality of North Cowichan is one of the few places in North America that both owns and manages forest lands for the benefit of residents.
Since 1946, the MFR has been managed as a working forest. The MFR is also a popular site for recreation and a destination by visitors from Vancouver Island and beyond. In response to public concerns about logging activities, North Cowichan council launched a public engagement process on the MFR as well as a technical review of forest management practices. Details, background reports and additional information can be found at: northcowichan.ca/forestry.