Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
An innovative approach to forestry is increasing the returns to local economies in a way that goes beyond just focusing on profits. Community forests are a means to keep benefits and decisions around local resources in local hands, said Susan Mulkey, communication manager for the British Columbia Community Forest Association (BCCFA).
Continue reading Community forests keep resources in local handsThis week, Cortes Currents presents a conversation with the Manager of the Cortes Community Forest, Mark Lombard, and President of the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative, Carrie Saxifrage. The Cortes Community Forest Cooperative (CCFC) is the non-aboriginal equal partner with the Klahoose First Nation in the Cortes Forest General Partnership (CFGP).
Continue reading Cortes Community ForestOn June 27, Cortes Currents published a personal report about poaching in the Community Forest. Odette Auger lives beside the woodlot in Larsen’s Meadow and says there has been a significant increase in theft since the Community Forest took over management. While her account is subjective, it contains pictures, details of several specific incidents and a record of correspondence with the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative (CCFC) going back several years.
Continue reading Update on Poaching in The Community ForestAt the June 9th Cortes Virtual Community Meeting, Regional Director Noba Anderson and five guests talked about all things fire.
Continue reading All Things Fire: The June 9th Cortes Virtual Community MeetingEvery year, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) allots Cortes Island $25,000 to be distributed to Cortes Island organizations as Grants-in-Aid. While the final decision is made by the SRD Board, the process begins locally. This year Regional Director Noba Anderson has committed to making her recommendation based on the input of Cortes not-for-profit organizations. She asked that they go beyond thinking in terms of the grant and put forward proposals that are of a “bigger minded gutsy nature.” Nine Cortes organizations subsequently submitted 20 project proposals. The most ambitious, six proposals costing a total of $362,936, came from the Friends of Cortes Island Society (FOCI). This is clearly far beyond Grants in Aid and the May 12th Cortes Virtual Community meeting was devoted to a discussion of FOCI’s larger picture vision.
Continue reading May 12th Cortes Virtual Meeting: FOCI’s Larger Picture Vision
