A newly formed group is working to save from development 23 acres of land located on the north side of French Creek and its estuary.
Save French Creek Estuary, whose members consist of concerned citizens from French Creek, City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum and neighbhouring communities, want to request the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to deny any planning application to build multi-unit dwellings on the land.
The group pointed out that it is an ecologically sensitive area that has a diverse range of habitats including second-growth Coastal Douglas Fir, a fresh water pond, riparian uplands, meadows, marsh and wetlands that support an abundance of wildlife. They also explained that it is the last remaining Coastal Douglas Fir forest on the coastal side from Parksville to Qualicum and is home to a huge variety of wildlife including eagles, herons, beaver, otter, hawks, owls and more.
The group is encouraging people to sign their petition to prevent any housing development from destroying the forested land. They want the land preserved.
Only 2.3 per cent of BC’s coastline is estuary according to the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. French Creek is one of the most important as it is ranked as a Class 2 estuary out of five classes of importance by the Environment and Climate Change Canada- Canadian Wildlife Service.
Those wishing to support the petition can go visit GoPetition.com and search for Save Coastal Forest Estuary Land for more info or to volunteer. People can also contact the group via email at SaveEstuaryLand@gmail.com
— NEWS Staff