HomePage / Your Government / News & Events / City joins Coastal Douglas-fir Conservation Partnership

City joins Coastal Douglas-fir Conservation Partnership

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed June 27, 2017 11:00 AM

Summary

At their June 19, 2017 meeting, Council approved City staff's recommendation to join the Coastal Douglas-fir and Associated Ecosystems Conservation Partnership (CDFCP). The CDFCP is a multi-agency partnership created to allow for a collaborative approach among stakeholders with an interest in the conservation of Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF) ecosystems.

The smallest and rarest of the 16 such eco-zones in BC, the CDF covers only 0.3% of the province. Despite its size, the it contains the highest diversity of plant species in the province and includes a number of species at risk or in need of protection. Given the proximity to urban areas, CDF is the least protected eco-zone in BC and has the lowest number of protected areas. The majority of the City of Nanaimo is included within the CDF eco-zone.

Link to Strategic Plan: Joining the CDFCP is supported by the environmental responsibility values within the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan. Environmental responsibility is defined to include “protecting and enhancing Nanaimo’s natural environment by looking after the community’s biological diversity in the course of land use development

Key Points

  • The CDFCP is intended to be a forum for communication and collaboration regarding the maintenance and restoration of healthy Coastal Douglas-fir and Associated Ecosystems.
  • By joining the conservation partnership the City will work with other local governments, private landowners, Provincial ministries and non-government organizations in setting conservation priorities within this important eco-zone.
  • Coastal Douglas-fir forests in Nanaimo include Linley Valley, Planta Park, Cable Bay and the Garry oak sub-ecosystems at Pipers and Neck Point Parks

Quotes

"As Nanaimo residents, we are fortunate to live within the diverse Coastal Douglas Fir ecosystem. Joining the conservation partnership will provide the City an opportunity to improve collaboration with other stakeholders within this unique ecosystem and help us conserve it for future generations to enjoy."

David Stewart
Environmental Planner
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • The CDF biogeoclimatic (BEC) zone is the smallest and rarest of the 16 identified BEC zones in BC but contains the highest diversity of plant species and is the most at risk.
  • Approximately 75% of BC’s population lives within the CDF zone.
  • The CDF zone is located within elevations below 150m in the highly developed southeastern coast of Vancouver Island, parts of the lower mainland and the Gulf Islands.
  • Douglas-fir is the most common tree species found within the CDF eco-zone. However, Garry oak and arbutus meadows are found exclusively within the CDF eco-zone. Many rare species are found in these meadows and on dry grassy bluffs.
-30-

Contact:

Dave Stewart
Environmental Planner
City of Nanaimo
250 755 7582

Print News Release

Is there anything wrong with this page?

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.
Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.