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 – Make Your Voice Heard by June 30!
The Town of Gibsons has sent a survey to all households in the Town asking for public feedback on the Draft Gospel Rock Neighbourhood Plan. This survey is also available online at the Town’s website . Two draft development options are being presented. Both proposals would preserve much of the forest, but Plan A calls […]
Conservation covenants: an important task for the SCCA
by Jason Herz, SCCA Chair The SCCA was granted the right to hold conservation covenants under Section 219 of the Land Titles Act. In the fall of 2010, the Sunshine Coast Regional District inquired as to whether the SCCA would consider holding such a covenant on Cliff Gilker Park. The request was brought about by […]
Gospel Rock – Oct 2011 Update
Gospel Rock has been off the radar lately, but the issue is far from asleep. On September 14, 2011, Town of Gibsons Council received a staff report outlining potential ways of resolving outstanding issues in the Gospel Rock Neighbourhood Plan, Draft Version 3.1. Staff recommended tabling the whole process in light of the property owners […]
Gospel Rock Recommendations
The Town of Gibsons is now receiving comments from the public on the draft Gospel Rock Neighbourhood Plan. Your written comments to the Town are critical for achieving a positive outcome to the planning process. The SCCA has written a summary of our Recommendations for fixing the plan. Also, Town of Gibsons’s development consultant Michael […]
Questions about Gospel Rock
On June 18, 2010, SCCA Executive Director Dan Bouman emailed a list of questions to the Conservation Data Center. His email is here, and the answers he received are below.
Conservation Values in the Gospel Rock Neighbourhood Plan Area
Sunshine Coasters have known in their hearts for generations that the Gospel Rock area is special. Currently available scientific information, provided through the Provinces Conservation Framework, strongly supports this widely held point of view. To continue reading this article, click Read more, below. Read the Questions to the Conservation Data Center about Gospel Rock Carmen […]
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