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First Nations, North Cowichan will work together on municipal forest reserve

A co-management framework and plan for MFR will now be developed
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Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels said she and local First Nations are looking forward to working more closely with North Cowichan to develop plans for the municipal forest reserve. (Citizen file photo)

The Municipality of North Cowichan and local First Nations will work together to establish a co-management framework and plan for the municipality’s 5,000-hectare municipal forest reserve.

The Quw’utsun Nation (which consists of Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, and Stz’uminus First Nation) and North Cowichan said in a press release that the agreement is a significant step towards the shared stewardship of the MFR.

In addition to working together on a co-management framework, progress was also made on investigating a shared forest carbon-credit program in the MFR, continued dialogue on future trail development, direct awarding of silviculture contracting to qualified Quw’utsun Nation companies, and a full review and mapping for the protection of culturally sensitive areas.

RELATED STORY: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON NORTH COWICHAN’S FOREST RESERVE EXPECTED TO RESUME SOON

“This commitment marks a pivotal moment in our shared journey towards environmental stewardship, and to reconciliation,” said North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas.

“We are stronger together as we take these meaningful steps toward a sustainable, resilient, and shared future for all.”

While the work on establishing a co-management framework and developing a plan is underway, North Cowichan will suspend all new decisions or initiatives related to the MFR.

Ongoing forest related work such as FireSmart mitigation, danger tree assessments and removals, storm clean up, silviculture activities, and invasive plant management will continue as required.

“Cowichan Tribes, along with the other Quw’utsun Nation communities, is looking forward to working more closely with North Cowichan to take up our stewardship responsibilities within our ancestral territory,” said Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels.

RELATED STORY: “DEEP AND BROAD” PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WANTED ON MUNICIPAL FORESTS

In February, 2019, council endorsed just the completion of existing 2018 forestry contracts and harvesting of blow downs in the forest reserve until experts were tapped for their input and the public had been thoroughly consulted on what people want for the future of the public properties.

No harvesting in the MFR has taken place since then.

The Quw’utsun Nation and North Cowichan entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in 2021 which outlined the establishment of a Municipal Forest Reserve Working Group to share information in relationship to the stewardship and use of the MFR.

The working group has met eight times, with ensuing discussions covering several topics pertaining directly and indirectly to the MFR.

The working group has recommended the MOU be reviewed and updated in light of these discussions, and progress toward a co-management framework.

RELATED STORY: CONSERVATION PREFERRED OPTION FOR NORTH COWICHAN’S PUBLIC FORESTS

The results of an online survey held on how the MFR should be managed that was released last year indicated that the vast majority of respondents favour conservation scenarios for the public woodlands.

More than 40 per cent of the almost 2,000 respondents to the survey said they would prefer the municipality move towards active conservation management of the forest, one of four options that were presented.

Active conservation would focus on targeted logging with the goal of restoring and enhancing ecosystem conditions that promote biodiversity, while providing some income from harvesting and generating income for North Cowichan from carbon credits.