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New vision sought for Cowichan Valley regional parks and trails

Public and First Nations asked to participate in parallel talks

The general public and 10 First Nations will soon be asked for their vision for parks and trails in Cowichan Valley Regional District.

At an advisory group meeting, consultant Justin Ellis of RC Strategies said the goal is to recommend an update to the 2007 Regional Parks and Trails Master Plan by summer 2025.

Public consultation will include an on-line survey, four open houses, an on-line interactive map, and interviews with numerous groups.

A parallel consultation will take place with the 10 First Nations: Cowichan, Halalt, Lyackson, Penelakut, Stz’uminus, Ditidaht, Malahat, Pauquachin, Pacheedaht and Ts’uubaa-asatx.

So far, it’s unknown how many of the 10 are interested.

“We envision likely hosting one to two meetings with the nations,” said Ellis, acknowledging the First Nations consultation could take longer than summer depending on their response.

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(North Cowichan’s consultation with five First Nations over the future of the Municipal Forest Reserve has taken years. https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/1ddbc651-184e-44bb-a82c-c465182e48d7 . The public has voted 76-per-cent in favour of conservation management of the reserve.)

Advisory group member Cam Campbell told the October 15 meeting that much has changed since completion of the last regional parks and trails plan 17 years ago.

Parks are no longer just places to recreate — although that remains important. They contribute to mental well-being and biodiversity, while helping to reduce the impacts of climate change. Social media has also driven the public to visit parks, sometimes with negative consequences.

“The whole notion of nature-based activities has profoundly changed,” said Campbell, an authority on forest viewscape management.

Bruce Coates, president of Cowichan Valley Naturalists’ Society, said it’s important that the consultation process explain how a regional park differs from a community park or forest, municipal park, recreation area and provincial park. “There’s a huge definitional problem that needs to be addressed,” he said.

Further reading: https://cvrd.ca/2049/Parks-Recreation

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— Larry Pynn, Oct. 23, 2024

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