Private Land Protection
The SCCA is dedicated to preserving the diverse landscapes, water bodies, and wildlife of the region to ensure that biodiversity thrives on the Sunshine Coast for all species and future generations.
As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, vulnerable ecosystems face increasing pressure, highlighting the urgent need to protect sensitive areas and private lands.
It is essential to understand the differences between public and private land protection, as each faces unique challenges.
Private land conservation is particularly complex due to various competing interests, including demands for development, housing needs, and changing land-use practices.
The question arises: how can we balance urgent housing needs with the critical need to protect ecological values in a warming world?
The SCCA employs a three-pronged approach to address this question.
Sunshine Coast Green Bylaws
The Sunshine Coast Green Bylaws campaign aims to enhance environmental protection and sustainable development on the lower Sunshine Coast through a holistic 'Green Bylaws' approach.
In response to growing concerns about land clearing in the region, the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA) joined forces with the Halfmoon Bay Community Development Forum and enlisted the help of the University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre in 2022 to tackle this complex issue.
Together, we developed the report "Green Bylaws for the Sunshine Coast."
The report outlines five key recommendations for prioritizing ecosystem connectivity, establishing long-term policies, and improving environmental assessment procedures.
This initiative seeks to support local governments in addressing complex problems with clear solutions and to empower community members to help shape policies that balance growth with environmental protection.
Land Trusts and Covenants
“Land Trusts are non-profit, charitable organizations committed to the long-term protection of natural and/or cultural heritage of lands. A land trust may own land itself, or it may enter into conservation covenants with property owners to protect or restore natural or heritage features on the owner’s land.” Land Trust Alliance BC
In 2006, the SCCA began exploring the possibility of becoming a “Land Trust.” The board and our Executive Director at the time believed that this could be an excellent opportunity to align the community's desire to protect significant private lands with our mission of biodiversity conservation. We collaborated with the Land Trust Alliance of BC for guidance in registering as a land trust organization. By 2008, we obtained the authority to hold conservation covenants under Section 219 of the Land Titles Act. The SCCA now holds five private land covenants in partnership with local governments, and The Land Conservancy of BC (TLC).
Updates on Private Land Protection
Rare Forest at Gospel Rock Protected with New Conservation Convenant
After more than 35 years of community, non-profit, and local government effort, 16.6 acres of rare and sensitive forests on “Gospel Rock” are now permanently protected. The Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA), The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC), Greenlane Homes, and the Town of Gibsons have announced the registration of a conservation covenant protecting […]
History of Advocacy for Gospel Rock
History of Advocacy for Gospel Rock The area within the Gospel Rock Neighborhood Plan (GRNP) is one of the most spectacularly beautiful and ecologically sensitive places on the entire Sunshine Coast, and the last stretch of natural waterfront within the Town of Gibsons. Trees over a century and a half old stand in the mature […]
Conservation Values at Gospel Rock
Conservation Values at Gospel Rock Questions from Us On June 18, 2010, SCCA Executive Director Dan Bouman emailed a list of questions to the Conservation Data Center. His email is here. From: Daniel Bouman To: Carmen Cadrin Just further to our conversation today, I’d like to make a request for information. Could you comment, based […]
Unsanctioned Logging at Gospel Rock
On December 31st, 2020 the SCCA was informed by citizens of Gibsons that trees had been cut down in the sensitive forest area on Gospel Rock, Block 7. We walked the property on January 2nd and 3rd, 2021 and documented a freshly cut swath of the sensitive ecosystem along the eastern edge of the property. […]
January 2021 Gospel Rock Update
Dear Friends, On December 31st, 2020 the SCCA was informed by citizens of Gibsons that trees had been cut down in the sensitive forest area on Gospel Rock, Block 7. We walked the property on January 2nd and 3rd, 2021 and documented a freshly cut swath of the sensitive ecosystem along the eastern edge of […]
Gospel Rock Update
The SCCA has been working with the Friends of Gospel Rock Society to protect ecologically rare and sensitive lands in the Gospel Rock Neighbourhood area since 2004. In 2018, the SCCA partnered with The Land Conservancy of BC (TLC) to negotiate a conservation covenant with the Gospel Rock property owner, to forever protect the ecologically sensitive […]
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