Our Plan

In collaboration with world-renowned figures—like author Peter Wohlleben, forest ecologist Dr. Suzanne Simard, and an expert advisory board including forester Gary Merkel—we are establishing an Indigenous-led conservation economy in our territory.

This Indigenous-led conservation economy will help assert our Kwiakah rights to steward, heal, and mend our territory. If successful, its adaptation in other parts of the world will empower other Indigenous communities, combat industrial systems, protect nature, and provide a bold solution to climate change.

Our plan now

Right now, we are working to jumpstart our conservation economy through regenerative forestry. This is a holistic and science-backed approach to forestry that will encourage old growth characteristics in logged forests and protect remaining old growth forest patches.

Ultimately, this will create jobs and an economy in our territory that focuses on healing the land.

As part of our plan, we will:

• Reinvigorate and finalize our Kwiakah Constitution

• Purchase one or more of the tree farm licenses (TFLs) in our territory and convert them to a “living tree” tenure, in collaboration with funding partners

• Develop innovative ways to generate sustainable and healthy income from these “living tree” tenures

• Initiate a regenerative forestry pilot research program in collaboration with forest ecologist Dr. Suzanne Simard. Here, we will compare the ability of different “treatments” to improve the recovery of old growth structure, biodiversity and forest carbon

• Revitalize our Forest Keeper training curriculum, and hire Indigenous Forest Keepers to continue with ongoing research, monitor and restore our forests

• Systematize, document, and share our knowledge through public webinars and onsite tours     

Our plan over time

Over time, we will expand our conservation economy to include other employment and business opportunities beyond regenerative forestry. These will range from sustainable kelp farming to ecotourism and building an academic Centre of Excellence (think: a mini Hakai Reserach Centre, or a floathouse version of Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre).

Together, these initiatives will strengthen the economy, creating space and momentum to continually introduce new initiatives that give back to the lands and waters, instead of extracting from them.

Will you join us on this exciting journey?