The Quw'utsun Nation (Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, and Stz'uminus First Nation) and the Municipality of North Cowichan have embarked on the first step toward a future co-management plan for the Municipal Forest Reserve (MFR). Your Wayfinders Management Solutions has been engaged to guide the development of a co-management framework and plan for the MFR.
- Read more about the Municipal Forest Reserve
The co-management framework and plan will include partner alignment on a number of areas, including shared decision making, economic and employment opportunities, recognition of key Indigenous forest management practices, stewardship of culturally sensitive areas, revenue sharing, recreation and future trail development, access, and economic opportunities. A final draft of the co-management framework and plan is expected by early 2026 for review by North Cowichan Council and Quw’utsun Nation leadership.
The workplan will build on previous public engagement efforts and will include extensive research and analysis, development of a vision, values, and prioritized interests, and facilitated discussions and small group meetings with North Cowichan council and leadership of the Quw’utsun Nation communities to draft and refine a draft framework before achieving consensus on a final draft. The general public will be kept apprised of progress toward the draft co-management plan.
Your Wayfinders Management Solutions is a B.C.-based specialized management company dedicated to facilitating relational project management, co-management, co-governance, change management, continuous improvement, facilitation, and engagement services. Your Wayfinders focuses on relational and responsible planning and managing environmental, business, health, and cultural resources.
Proposals received in response to the RFP were reviewed by staff representatives from North Cowichan, Cowichan Tribes, and Halalt First Nation.
In April 2024, the Municipality of North Cowichan and the Quw’utsun Nation announced their commitment to the discussion of co-management of the 5,000 hectare Municipal Forest Reserve (MFR). The forest is within the traditional territory of the Quw’utsun Nation.
North Cowichan has suspended all new decisions or initiatives related to the MFR while development of a co-management framework and plan is underway. Ongoing forest-related work such as FireSmart mitigation, danger tree assessments and removals, storm clean up, silviculture activities and invasive plant management are continuing as required.
North Cowichan undertook a concurrent technical review plus public engagement on the management of the MFR between 2020 and 2023, which concluded with a report to Council outlining a preferred forest management scenario that favoured ecological and sustainable values.
The Quw'utsun Nation (Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, and Stz’uminus First Nation) and the Municipality of North Cowichan entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2021. The MOU outlines the establishment of a Municipal Forest Reserve Working Group to share information in relationship to the stewardship and use of the MFR.