The Comox Valley Conservation Strategy is a land-use planning framework with conservation as its primary focus. It identifies critical ecosystems and natural areas for protection and restoration and links them together to form a network.

1. The COMOX VALLEY CONSERVATION STRATEGY
is supported by:
Comox Valley
Morrison Creek Stream Keepers
Water Watch
Portuguese Creek
Watershed
Stewards

2. What is the Comox Valley Conservation Strategy?

3. What is the Comox Valley Conservation Strategy?
The CVCS is a regional land-use planning
framework for the Comox Valley in which
conservation is the primary focus.
It identifies critical ecosystems for protection
and restoration and links them together to
form a network.

4. Why do we NEED a
Conservation Strategy?

5. Why do we NEED a
Conservation Strategy?
• To STOP the loss of vital ecosystems
• To RESTORE degraded ecosystems
• To ENSURE a REGIONAL ecosystem-based
approach to land use planning
• To PREPARE for future population growth
• To PREPARE for coming climate change

6. Growth Management …

7. Growth Management …
The Comox Valley is projected to grow by
at least 21% by 2020 and up to 40% by 2030.
With 4 local and 1 tribal governments, we need
a REGIONAL and PROACTIVE approach to
the protection of natural systems and biodiversity.

8. Growth Management …
The Conservation Strategy shows that with careful
management, restoration and conservation the
Comox Valley can continue to provide the
resources needed for human and non-human
survival for many generations to come.

9. PRIORITY ECOLOGICAL AREAS

10. RIPARIAN AREAS

11. RIPARIAN AREAS
• strips of vegetated land alongside bodies of
water
• highly productive ecosystems
• maintain shoreline stability, water quality,
in-stream structure and stream temperature
• provide water storage and conservation

12. SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS

13. SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS
Older Forest
• With average tree age of over 100 years, Older
Forests support a rich community of biodiversity
Older Second Growth Forests
• Maturing forests have significant biodiversity
values and connect fragmented ecosystems
Woodlands (including Garry Oak habitat)
• Occur as widely scattered fragments

14. Historic and Current Abundance of
Garry Oak Woodlands in the Comox Valley

17. SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS

18. SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS
Wetlands
• are extremely productive and provide habitat for
most animal species during part of their lifecycle
• prevent flooding by holding water like a sponge
and releasing it slowly when water levels are low
• purify water and recycle nutrients

19. UPLAND WILDLIFE CORRIDORS

20. UPLAND WILDLIFE CORRIDORS
• provide natural routes of passage and migration
• provide linkages between significant ecological
areas and habitats
• are essential to the long-term survival and
sustainability of biological diversity
• help maintain healthy, natural functions of
ecosystems

21. CRITICAL WATERSHEDS
Browns River
Tsable River

22. ESTUARIES

23. ESTUARIES
Estuaries are the “nurseries of the sea,”
providing fish with sheltered waters
for spawning and safe habitat for juveniles
to develop. They are among the most
productive ecosystems on the planet.
Although estuaries cover less than 3% of
BC’s shoreline, 80% of all species on the
coast use them at some point in their life.

24. What Will This Look Like on the Ground?

26. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?

27. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?
• Protects Ecosystem Amenities and Biodiversity

29. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?
• Protects Ecosystem Amenities and Biodiversity
• Promotes Local Farming and Supports the ALR

30. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?
• Protects Ecosystem Amenities and Biodiversity
• Promotes Local Farming and Supports the ALR
Local food production reduces
our ecological footprint and
encourages good farming practices.

31. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?
• Protects Ecosystem Amenities and Biodiversity
• Promotes Local Farming and Supports the ALR
• Expands the Restoration Industry

32. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?
• Protects Ecosystem Amenities and Biodiversity
• Promotes Local Farming and Supports the ALR
• Expands the Restoration Industry
• Attracts investment and skilled labour

33. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?
• Protects Ecosystem Amenities and Biodiversity
• Promotes Local Farming and Supports the ALR
• Expands the Restoration Industry
• Attracts investment and skilled labour
• Lowers infrastructure costs by redeveloping existing areas

34. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?
• Protects Ecosystem Amenities and Biodiversity
• Promotes Local Farming and Supports the ALR
• Expands the Restoration Industry
• Attracts investment and skilled labour
• Lowers infrastructure costs by redeveloping existing areas
• Natural rain water management avoids need for costly
infrastructure and reduces flooding

35. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?
• Protects Ecosystem Amenities and Biodiversity
• Promotes Local Farming and Supports the ALR
• Expands the Restoration Industry
• Attracts investment and skilled labour
• Lowers infrastructure costs by redeveloping existing areas
• Natural rain water management avoids need for costly
infrastructure and reduces flooding
• Buffers Climate Change

36. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?
• Protects Ecosystem Amenities and Biodiversity
• Promotes Local Farming and Supports the ALR
• Expands the Restoration Industry
• Attracts investment and skilled labour
• Lowers infrastructure costs by redeveloping existing areas
• Natural rain water management avoids need for costly
infrastructure and reduces flooding
• Buffers Climate Change
• Protects / Enhances Tourism & Hospitality Industry

37. What are the BENEFITS of the CVCS?
• Protects Ecosystem Amenities and Biodiversity
• Promotes Local Farming and Supports the ALR
• Expands the Restoration Industry
• Attracts investment and skilled labour
• Lowers infrastructure costs by redeveloping existing areas
• Natural rain water management avoids need for costly
infrastructure and reduces flooding
• Buffers Climate Change
• Protects / Enhances Tourism & Hospitality Industry
• Increases Recreation Amenities & Protects Quality of Life

38. Is the CVCS economically FEASIBLE?

39. Is the CVCS economically FEASIBLE?
• Local government can develop opportunities and
incentives to reduce/recover costs
(for example: through the use of density bonuses
to protect ecological amenities)

40. With Bonus Without Bonus

41. Is the CVCS economically FEASIBLE?
• Local government can develop opportunities and
incentives to reduce/recover costs
• Green infrastructure reduces long term costs of
development

42. Is the CVCS economically FEASIBLE?
• Local government can develop opportunities and
incentives to reduce/recover costs
• Green infrastructure reduces long term costs of
development
• Developers have greater certainty about where to
build and developments are planned correctly
from the start

43. Is the CVCS economically FEASIBLE?
• Local government can develop opportunities and
incentives to reduce/recover costs
• Green infrastructure reduces long term costs of
development
• Developers have greater certainty about where to
build and developments are planned correctly
from the start
• Can partner with / utilize skills of local NGO’s

44. Is the CVCS economically FEASIBLE?
• Local government can develop opportunities and
incentives to reduce/recover costs
• Green infrastructure reduces long term costs of
development
• Developers have greater certainty about where to
build and developments are planned correctly
from the start
• Can partner with / utilize skills of local NGO’s
• Utilize/create incentives for landowners to protect
Sensitive Ecosystems on private land

46. We Can’t Afford to WAIT!

47. We Can’t Afford to WAIT!
The Conservation Strategy is an
important tool for integrated,
regional land use planning.

48. It protects ecosystem services and
biodiversity, attracts green investment and
skilled labour,and creates certainty and
a level playing field for developers.
It reduces infrastructure costs, grows the
restoration industry, promotes tourism,
increases property values and
protects our health and quality of life.
It will buffer climate change by maintaining
the ability of ecosystems to adapt
and allow for increased CO2 absorption.

49. The CVCS supports a Balanced Approach:
Growth and development that protects biodiversity

50. How Will the
Comox Valley Conservation Strategy
Achieve its Goals?
• Activities are coordinated by a Steering Committee
• Community Partnership of 9 local environmental
groups has been formed and is working to:
• improve land use planning, policy and standards
• conduct conservation projects and activities
• educate the community/build support for the Strategy
• Join the CVCS Community Partnership as a Partner,
Supporter or Volunteer today!

51. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP MEMBERSHIP

52. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP MEMBERSHIP
SUPPORTER ORGANIZATIONS
• Formally endorse the CVCS
• Keep their membership informed about the CVCS
• May consider a financial contribution to the CVCS
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
• Formally endorse and actively participate in the CVCS and:
a) have a representative sit on the steering Committee
or on an Implementation Team, and/or
b) assume responsibility for a project and report back
on its progress

53. BENEFITS of MEMBERSHIP

54. BENEFITS of MEMBERSHIP
Offers an opportunity to work together toward a
regional ecosystem-based approach to land use planning
Offers the opportunity to advance protection of
Lands of concern to your organization
Can provide resources for environmental education
Can help with recruitment of volunteers
Sharing information, resources and expertise
Can offer support in your dealings with local
government

55. YOUR ROLE in the CVCS
Educate yourself and others about the values of conservation
Donate to or Volunteer with the CVCS
Reduce your use of natural resources, water, toxics,
electricity and packaging, and walk or bike instead of driving.
Let Your Voice Be Heard:
Get involved in community and regional planning initiatives
Be a responsible landowner:
- dispose of hazardous materials safely
- use water-saving devices, compost
- protect natural areas on your property
- plant native species in gardens

56. GET INVOLVED: VOLUNTEER!

57. GET INVOLVED: VOLUNTEER!
Volunteer! We can use your HELP! Sign the list today!
Share Your Skills with the CVCS or one of our
Member Organizations in your neighbourhood:
• Comox Valley Land Trust
• Project Watershed
• Comox Valley Water Watch
• Tsolum River Restoration Society
• Millard Piercy Watershed Stewards
• Comox Valley Environmental Council
• Morrison Creek Stream Keepers
• Portuguese Creek Stream Keepers
• Oyster River Watershed Mgmt. Committee

58. OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• local governments are working with us to adopt
regional conservation planning practices
• sharing knowledge, expertise and resources
• Mapping Centre and Development Assessment
• Education and Outreach Program
• input to RGS and Sustainability Strategies
Website: www.cvconservationstrategy.org