Input sought for French Creek estuary management plan

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is creating a management plan for the French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve.

The regional district is inviting Electoral Area G (French Creek, San Pareil, Little Qualicum, Englishman River) residents to provide their input on the draft management plan is being developed to guide the protection, restoration and community use of the Nature Preserve.

The vision is to enhance and protect biodiversity by conserving and restoring important natural ecosystems while providing low-impact opportunities for visitors to connect with nature. Residents in EA G can review the draft vision, goals, strategies and actions and provide comments online until July 5, 2024.

The draft plan was created in collaboration with the Save Estuary Lands Society, Friends of French Creek Conservation Society, Arrowsmith Naturalists, Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society, Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute and the BC Parks Foundation. The RDN will use the input from the community to confirm the vision, goals, strategies and actions.

The final management plan will: Present a vision for the Nature Preserve; provide clear direction for the management, conservation and restoration of ecological resources; and align with the conservation goals and intended purposes for which the nature preserve was acquired

Residents can also view the draft management plan, ask questions and provide feedback in person at an open house on June 22, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve (parking lot located at the end of Admiral Tryon Blvd).

The RDN manages the Nature Preserve under the EA G Community Parks Service and through a lease agreement with the BC Parks Foundation. The RDN’s contribution toward the purchase of land to establish the Nature Preserve came from the EA G Community Parks Service budget.

The French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve draft vision, goals, strategies, actions, draft concept plan, online comment form and other background documents are available at getinvolved.rdn.ca/fce-nature-preserve.