The newest community forest is a partnership

A partnership between the Pacheedaht First Nation, the provincial government and the Cowichan Lake Community Forest Co-operative has resulted in a first-of-its-kind community forest agreement: the Qala:yit Community Forest. The deal is unique among B.C.’s 56 community forests and resulted from legislation passed in 2016 designed to allow new community forest licences in areas where there are significant competing pressures on the land. It’s the first to include a revenue-sharing agreement with B.C. Timber Sales. “With such a tight land base in the area, the Qala:yit Community Forest would not have been possible without entering into this agreement with BCTS,” said Forests Minister Doug Donaldson.