Hello! Every day our daylight is expanding, and winter is melting away in the rearview mirror. When we raise our eyes and scan about, we see the state of the world is quite something: tariff uncertainties affecting employment in our region, repeated threats to Canada’s sovereignty, and a continued news blackout on Facebook, where many folks gather & share. Despite these dark clouds, there is good happening here at home!
It warms my heart that there is a newly formed Quadra Island Land Trust, started by Quadra Islanders recognizing a community need and the future benefits which a land trust will bring to our island community. Big gratitude to the folks doing the work to get this off the ground. It is also heartwarming to see islanders exploring and learning about the benefits of co-ops. I’m intrigued to see how these explorations may evolve: there are so many options, from groceries, to growing, and even housing.
Granite Bay Roadbuilding
There is a section of Granite Bay forest containing a number of pre-wildfire old/veteran trees, forest which has not previously been logged. This area, labelled Block 12-651 by Mosaic Forest Management, had been slated for roadbuilding in February 2025, to be followed by logging.
Due to the U.S. threatening to impose additional tariffs on Canada, Mosaic has reduced their road construction plans for several operating areas and as a result, road construction in 12-651 will not occur during February as originally scheduled. This info came to me through recent conversation with Mosaic foresters. When this might be back on the work plan has not yet been shared with me: I’ll let you know if/when I learn more.
Forest Practices Board report: SRD follow-up
In October I submitted the Forest Practices Board (FPB) Management of Old Forests On Quadra Island report to the SRD Board, asking the Board to write to the Province, seeking a remedy to the FPB findings. The SRD Board referred the report to the First Nations Relations Committee (FNRC).
In February the FNRC received news that Chief Chickite invited the Committee to meet with the We Wai Kai Nation at its Treaty Boardroom to discuss this matter. I’m very grateful for the invitation to discuss Quadra forestry with the We Wai Kai Nation — forestry is a provincial issue where the role of local government reps is largely advocacy, and landscape level planning is a discussion which Nations engage in with the Province. I’m looking forward to learning through this forestry dialogue with Chief Chickite.
Forest Practices Board report: Mosaic follow-up
Following the Forest Practices Board ‘Management of Old Forests on Quadra Island’ report, Mosaic has drafted an amended strategy to address the FPB’s recommendations. There is Public Notice posted seeking public feedback on the nonspatial amendment they are proposing; “the amended strategy will describe how the full target amount of old forest will be achieved in the Quadra Landscape Unit”. You can read the Public Notice, find links to the proposed amendment, and an address for submitting comments at this link: https://bit.ly/4hHm7Xx
Outer Islands “Forest Nutrient Program”
A heads up for Sonora, Hardwicke, West Thurlow and East Thurlow Islands. The February 19 Board agenda includes correspondence regarding a Forest Nutrient Management Treatment planned to occur March-April 2025 on these islands.
Funded through BC’s Forest Investment Program, “The primary objective is to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) as a means of mitigating climate change. The application of fertilizer will increase the amount of available nutrients, which will improve tree growth and storage of atmospheric carbon, allowing trees to store up to 55 tonnes of carbon per hectare over a 10-year period. A secondary objective is to improve timber volumes and value for future harvesting”. “The increase in volume can be up to 30 cubic meters per hectare in a 10-year period”.
The plans for this project have been shared with and approved by local First Nations, forest licensees, and the Ministry of Forests. The fertilizer being used is granular urea. Signage will be posted on roads to inform the public of any safety hazards or delays.
Connect
Thank you for reading! You’re welcome to connect with me with questions or concerns: you can email RMawhinney@srd.ca, or call 250.203.2468. If you’d like to chat in person, you can book an in-person meeting at calendly.com/robynmawhinney.
Until next time,
Respectfully,
Director Robyn Mawhinney
Photos in this report are from a recent forest walk out to Deepwater Bay.