Between 1991 and 2002 the Comox Valley experienced a dramatic loss and fragmentation of sensitive ecosystem lands. An analysis of the provincial Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory shows that 42% or 2700 hectares of the area’s rare and threatened sensitive ecosystem lands were lost, fragmented or reduced between 1991 and 2002. 97% of highly valuable second growth forests and seasonally flooded agricultural lands –nearly 9300 hectares were fragmented or reduced in the same period. The Comox Valley Conservation Strategy (CVCS) is a plan that reverses this trend of ecosystem losses by proposing restoration and protection of critical ecosystems. The Strategy identifies these ecosystems and links them together to form a network of natural areas and wildlife corridors in the Comox Valley.

Ecosystem Losses Presentation

Nature Without Borders

The Conservation Strategy is outlined in the document Nature Without Borders:

Get the Conservation Strategy Document: “Nature Without Borders”

Through a compilation of conservation inventories, plans and reports, and advice from local biologists, planners, and provincial and federal environment staff, the Nature Without Borders report identified a network of areas considered to be most critical to the long-term health of the community. These areas are summarized below:

PRIORITY ECOLOGICAL AREAS

The priority areas for conservation and restoration are:

1. 

   Riparian Ecosystems

   Riparian ecosystems are the narrow strips of land that border lakes, streams, rivers and other bodies of water, whether permanent or ephemeral. Although riparian areas may occupy only a small percentage of the area of a watershed, they represent an extremely important and highly productive component of the overall landscape. Riparian areas are critical for: maintaining the structure and proper function of streams, rivers and wetlands; maintaining water temperature and flow; and prevention and mitigation of flooding.

2. 

   Sensitive Ecosystems

   The following Sensitive Ecosystems are important areas due to their significant biodiversity and wildlife values.

   • Old growth Douglas Fir forests
   • Garry Oak woodlands
   • Older second growth forest
   • Seasonally flooded agricultural fields
   • Wetlands
3. 

   Upland Wildlife Corridors

   Upland wildlife corridors are areas that provide safe migration routes for both large mammals and smaller less mobile species, and also include habitat refuges, reservoirs and the connections between them, crucial to the maintenance of genetic variability.

4. 

   Critical Watersheds

   These two watersheds provide an important link for species movement between the eastern and western coasts of Vancouver Island through Strathcona Provincial Park.

   • Browns River
   • Tsable River
5. 

   The Courtenay Estuary

   The Courtenay estuary is second in importance for wildlife and biodiversity, only to the mighty Fraser River estuary. It needs to be considered as a key element of a regional land-use planning framework for the Comox Valley.

The Comox Valley Conservation Strategy

This presentation gives a broad overview of the Conservation Strategy: what it is, why we need it, what are the benefits, how can it be implemented and what are our successes so far.

“CVCS On The Ground” Presentation

The Comox Valley Conservation Strategy is a plan to identify and map, protect and restore the critical ecological areas of the Comox Valley that are essential for ecosystem function, human and non-human health and survival. This presentation shows the layers of protection that comprise the plan: current protected areas, riparian zones, sensitive ecosystems, critical watersheds and upland wildlife corridors.