Private Land Protection
Local Government Environmental Protection Tools
On Friday, October 28th, 2022, the SCCA co-hosted a workshop on Revitalizing Local Government Environmental Protection Tools on the Lower Sunshine Coast. It was a really great brainstorming session about region-wide planning for environmental protection.
We are planning to host a follow-up strategic action planning session in early 2023 to hone in on specific, immediate actions we can take to support our long-term conservation goals. This will be done with the support of Organizing for Change and with a diverse representation of community stakeholders on the lower Sunshine Coast.
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 decided to explore becoming a “Land Trust.” The board and our Executive Director at the time felt that this could be a great opportunity for the SCCA to merge community desire to protect important private lands, with our mandate for the protection of biodiversity. We engaged with the Land Trust Alliance of BC for support in becoming a registered land trust organization and in 2008 we gained the right to hold conservation covenants under Section 219 of the Land Titles Act.
Covenants
Gambier Island
Our friends from the Gambier Island Conservancy approached us, hoping that we would consider joining with them in holding three more covenants on Gambier Island: Mt. Artaban Nature Reserve, Long Bay Nature Reserve and Brigade Bay Bluffs Nature Reserve
These reserves were under the control of the Islands Trust Fund, and the trust was interested in seeing that the three areas were protected and secured over the long term. We reviewed the three properties in question and agreed that they were indeed worthy of protection in perpetuity.
Our first task was to write up a memorandum of understanding with representatives of the Gambier Island Conservancy to describe our relationship and responsibilities in relation to the covenants. Subsequently, we worked with our partners to have baseline studies done, develop covenant agreements and management plans for the lands. In 2014 we finalized the agreements and formally protected the lands
Every year, we are invited by our partners to participate in monitoring and restoration projects to ensure the ecological values of these lands are properly maintained.
These two pictures are from a 2020 monitoring visit by the SCCA.
Photography by Suzanne Senger.
Block 7 Gospel Rock
The SCCA has been working with the Friends of Gospel Rock Society to protect ecologically rare, environmentally sensitive lands in the Gospel Rock Neighbourhood area since 2004. As of March 30, 2022, we are delighted to announce that - 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.
Gospel Rock has its own area in our website.
Keats Island
Sandy Beach is a 3.4 ha stretch of Coastal Douglas-Fir forest on the southwest shoreline of Keats Island. With over 250 metres of sandy beachfront, the area provides habitat for threatened species including great blue heron, olive-sided flycatcher, and the little brown myotis bat. The beach also provides spawning habitat for surf smelt and Pacific sand lance.
Sandy Beach was a part of the BC Baptist Churches ‘Keats Camp’ which has operated on the Island since 1926. In 2020, the church transferred the land to the Island Trust Conservancy as part of a rezoning and subdivision application. Sandy Beach is the first formally protected parcel of land on Keats Island.
The SCCA was invited by Islands Trust Conservancy and The Land Conservancy of BC to become a covenant partner on these lands. The process of establishing a conservation covenant and management plan to protect the property in perpetuity took decades since the idea was first conceived. On September 13, 2023, the three organizations celebrated the finalization of this conservancy.
O’Neill Estate - Rainfrog Sanctuary
In 2019, the SCCA's friend and benefactor Rick O'Neill, passed away, leaving the SCCAas the executor of his estate and heir to his property. We will be maintaining this property as a conservation area according to his wishes.
More information is coming on this project.
Updates on Private Land Protection
Part Two: The Future of Sechelt OCP Process
Back in February, we invited our community to attend the first public workshop for the District of Sechelt’s Official Community Plan (OCP) update—a chance to help shape how Sechelt grows, protects nature, and responds to climate change. If you missed that post, you can read it here: The Future of Sechelt: Your Opportunity to Shape […]
Help Shape Gibsons’ Urban Forest Plan
The Town of Gibsons has released its first-ever Urban Forest Plan to protect and expand the tree canopy within the Town. It is currently collecting public feedback through a community survey until March 18. This is your chance to help ensure that bold, science-based solutions guide the future of Gibsons’ forests. Why Does This Matter? […]
Strengthening Local Authority: How the Sunshine Coast Can Take Charge of Land Use Decisions
For too long, a common misconception has restricted local government’s ability to protect the environment and manage responsible development. Many elected officials on the Sunshine Coast—and throughout British Columbia—believe that regional districts have limited control over significant land use decisions because the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT) has authority over subdivision approval. However, this belief […]
Let’s Talk Green Bylaws in Átl’ḵa7tsem West Howe Sound!
Are you a West Howe Sound resident passionate about protecting our region’s natural beauty and biodiversity? Join us for an important West Howe Sound Community Association (WHSCA) Meeting on Thursday, February 13th, from 7:00 to 8:15 PM at Eric Cardinall Hall. The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), the Town of Gibsons, and the District of […]
The Future of Sechelt: Your Opportunity to Shape the OCP
The District of Sechelt is embarking on a much-needed update to its Official Community Plan (OCP), a guiding document that will shape land use and development for years to come. This OCP renewal is an exciting opportunity for residents to share their vision and ensure that Sechelt grows sustainably, resiliently, and in accordance with community […]
Celebrating protection of Sandy Beach Nature Reserve on Lheḵ’tines/ ́ Keats Island
On September 13, 2023, the SCCA, Islands Trust Conservancy, The Land Conservancy of BC, and other partner organizations, celebrated a huge conservation win – the creation of Hoak-pus/Sandy Beach Nature Reserve on Keats Island.
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. […]