The campaign to protect the forestlands buffering the Juan de Fuca Trail has reached a critical moment.

Last week, the CRD made a landmark decision to ask the province to restructure voting so the whole board could vote on activities in the Juan de Fuca forestlands like the Marine Trail Holdings proposal. This week, this reckless development project was pushed ahead -- through the very process the CRD has asked the province to change!

Last night Wilderness Committee staff attended a very disheartening meeting of the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee. The members of the committee voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Marine Trail Holdings application, completely ignoring the thousands of emails, phone calls, public comments and letters that have been submitted over the past few months. The committee prioritized short-term economic gain for select individuals over the concerns of thousands of local residents. As the project now moves on to Land Use Committee A, we must continue to stand up for the Juan de Fuca forestlands and our region's wild places.

Next week, on Saturday April 30, from 3pm to 9pm, we're co-hosting a rally and concert called Sprawlapalooza. We need to come together to stand against sprawl, and show our strong support for the region's forests and farmlands.

The event will feature amazing local musicians Kuba Oms, Rocky Mountain Rebel Music and Everybody Left, as well as speeches by members of environmental, labour and anti-poverty movements, indigenous people and local farmers.

We need to send a strong message to Land Use Committee A and the provincial government that we oppose development in the Juan de Fuca forestlands and that we support expanding the provincial park.

Join us April 30 from 3:00-9:00pm at Centennial Square to celebrate our Wild Coast and to make a strong stand to protect our region's forests.

Cam Gray | Vancouver Island Public Outreach Coordinator
Wilderness Committee