There is common agreement that the coastal Douglas-fir forest is the rarest and most at-risk forest type in the province. A coalition of 40 conservation organizations and all levels of government — the B.C. Forests Ministry among them — is consistent on that point.

But when it comes to protecting this landscape —or biogeoclimatic zone, as it’s officially known — there are dramatic differences on southeastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

While North Cowichan owns its 5,000-hectare-plus Municipal Forest Reserve outright — in theory, making it easier to protect — others must raise millions of dollars to acquire much smaller parcels of the same forest type from private landowners.

Case in point: The community of Cumberland, a former coal mining area in the Comox Valley and site of some of the region’s early logging operations. “It was a very important part of B.C.’s economic history, the complete decimation of the Douglas-fir forests in this part of the world,” says Meaghan Cursons, executive director of the Cumberland Community Forest Society.

The coastal Douglas-fir forest lies in the rain shadow of the Vancouver Island and Olympic mountains. It features warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Western red cedar, grand fir, arbutus, Garry oak, and red alder can also be found in this forest type.

Formed in 2000, the Cumberland society has raised about $6 million, including project costs, to purchase more than 220 hectares of coastal Douglas-fir from private timber companies around the village.

Money came from sources such as private individuals, trusts and foundations, and various levels of governments. “We actually had people put a second mortgage on their home to fund these acquisitions,” Cursons said.

Fund-raising activities and special events also played a role, including the annual Cumberland Fungus Fest, trivia nights, and providing logistical support for cross-country trail races.

“We are a conservation organization, but also a party-throwing machine, which I would highly recommend as a strategy if you’re trying to figure how to bump out of that standard, typical, conservation-community audience,” Cursons said.

The forest helps protect biodiversity and drinking water, serves as a carbon sink, while “recruiting” old growth and providing recreational opportunities. Cumberland has become a destination for mountain biking on Vancouver Island, attracting tourism dollars.

The community — with a population of 4,500 in 2021— is “punching above its weight” in terms of forest protection, Cursons said.

https://www.cumberlandforest.com/what-is-the-cumberland-forest/

Note that because the Cumberland community forest lands were purchased specifically for conservation without any intention to harvest the trees, they do not qualify for carbon credits.

“It puts us in this very funny position where we don’t fit the formal offset market…” Cursons said.

That does not apply to North Cowichan (population 32,000) and its Municipal Forest Reserve, which can apply for carbon credits.

The UBC Partnership Group has told North Cowichan it stands to earn millions of dollars more in carbon credits than logging over a 30-year period. https://bit.ly/42mt1KL

Some recent examples of people, organizations and governments coming together to acquire coastal Douglas-fir forest:

— Since 2020, BC Parks has acquired about 15.6 hectares, including the 2021 purchase of two properties totally 9.6 hectares at Tribune Bay on Hornby Island for $11.2 million.

— Galiano Conservancy Association partnered with Nature Trust of B.C. to purchase 26.5 hectares on Galiano Island's east side in 2021 for close to $2 million.