News

News Update: ‘Access Initiative’ BCWF / TimberWest

Email received from BCWF regarding Island access

Hi All,

I’ve got an update on our ‘Access Initiative’ with TimberWest.

On June the 19th, Larry Wasden, Sabina Reska and I met with TimberWest staff.
TimberWest was represented by local manager Steve Lorimer, Ben Lee,VP,Legal & General Counsel ( who came over from Vancouver), and Lee-Ann Andersen, Senior Property Administrator. These are some pretty senior staff that have the real ability to move things forward.

We were able to sit with them, explain who we are and what we hoped to accomplish through our negotiations with them.  The meeting went well and the outlook is positive. We were asked where we’d like to see this project start and it was agreed that we should start on Southern Vancouver Island, possibly around Sooke. TimberWest is taking this recommendation forward to their most senior management and with the Victoria F & G Club on board we’re hopefully optimistic that we’ll hear back from them soon. They are aware that hunting season is rapidly approaching and that it would be in the best interest of all concerned to have an agreement in place before then.

We did pass along the request of the Courtenay F & G that access be liberalized on the Comox Main and the Oyster River Main. We also passed on the wishes of the  Parksville club that access be granted into the Lockwood area.  It looks to me that this will happen one area at a time and if that’s how TW wants to go about it then that’s fine with me.  Remember that given the extremely dry conditions this year, any access agreement may well be suspended until conditions allow safe backcountry access.

Unfortunately, nobody has control over mother nature.  Feel free to share this with your members.

David Parenteau
President
B.C. Wildlife Federation
Vancouver Island
Region Association
250-758-5727
david_parenteau@telus.net

Vancouver Island Region Assn.

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The Nature Trust – Salmon River Project

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Steve Housser (Leadership & Giving Manager) from The Nature Trust will be talking to our club about the Salmon River Project at our next 
General Meeting on the 23rd June 2015 at 7pm
All members welcome

SALMON RIVER
(exert taken from the Nature Trust website)

A Vancouver Island treasure waiting to be conserved.  Although The Nature Trust of BC has a significant number of conservation properties on Vancouver Island, it has been several years since we have added to our island portfolio.  This is about to change; The Nature Trust is working to acquire an exceptional 165 acres of private land along the lower Salmon River and estuary south of Sayward, BC.

This strategic opportunity will enhance critical habitat for numerous species of fish and wildlife including Great Blue Heron, Marbled Murrelet, Northern Pygmy Owl, Roosevelt Elk and all species of Pacific salmon:
Coho, Chinook, Chum, Pink and Sockeye. The area is also home to sea run cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, Char and it boasts the largest steelhead in BC!

The Nature Trust have firm funding commitments from BC Hydro Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, and several generous donors.

However, we still need to raise at least $162,500 by June 26,2015.

Any help with this outstanding balance would be greatly appreciated.

For more information on this project or information on how to donate- visit their website

Harry Tutton Memorial Outdoor Archery 3D Shoot

Date:     February 15, 2015
Time:     9:30 Shot Gun Start
Registration:     On site starting at 8:00 am

Cost:
$20/Adult
Family of 4/$35  (2 Adults, 2 Youth)
Youth (9-14)Free

Location:
Off Highway 19A and Baylis Road in Qualicum
Hot lunch available somewhere between the morning and afternoon rounds (11:30 – 1:00)
Prizes and winners announced following the afternoon rounds

For further information email arrowsmitharchers@shaw.ca