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
Gospel Rock Covenant
The SCCA has worked in partnership with the Friends of Gospel Rock Society (FOGRS) to secure protection of ecologically rare and sensitive lands in the Gospel Rock Neighbour Area since 2004. In 2013, The Town of Gibsons adopted the Gospel Rock Neighbourhood Plan, which outlined its commitment to protect over 47% of Block 7, a […]
Gospel Rock Covenant
The SCCA has worked in partnership with the Friends of Gospel Rock Society (FOGRS) to secure protection of ecologically rare and sensitive lands in the Gospel Rock Neighbour Area since 2004. In 2013, The Town of Gibsons adopted the Gospel Rock Neighbourhood Plan, which outlined its commitment to protect over 47% of Block 7, a […]
SCCA Signs Covenant to Protect Gambier Reserves
The Islands Trust Fund, owner of three nature reserves on Gambier Island, recently signed conservation covenants with the Gambier Island Conservancy and Sunshine Coast Conservation Association. The covenants legally commit all three organizations to share responsibility for safeguarding the reserves. The three reserves, spanning 150 hectares, provide a wildlife corridor stretching from the bluffs of […]
FOGRS Elects new Board
The Friends of Gospel Rock Society held their annual general meeting on March 26. The new board consists of six members: Patricia Braithwaite (Chair), Brad Benson, Lee Haffner, Catherine McManus, Suzanne Senger, and George Smith. The contributions of outgoing board members Janet Genders, Jan Schuks, and Lola Westell were noted with sincere appreciation. The new […]
Wasn’t that a party?
We had a fantastic party at the Hall on November 17 for our annual Celebration of Conservation. Long time supporters, Sweet Cascadia, were joined this year by a host of amazing and generous musicians. Kenji Akimoto entertained us on guitar while we welcomed everyone to the event and then Dan’s Daughter’s took over with their […]
Gospel Rock: Waterfront development voted down
On Tuesday, October 16, at the regular meeting of Gibsons Town Council, Mayor Rowe and all four councillors unanimously agreed to move Option B, an amendment to the Gospel Rock Neighbourhood Plan which will disallow waterfront development (delete cluster housing on the waterfront from the plan and maintain the designation of “green space”). Council also voted […]
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