Rob Douglas
for North Cowichan Mayor 

Protect our forests, watersheds and coastline

North Cowichan's forests, rivers, lakes, farmland, and coastline are among our greatest assets. Protecting them while preparing for the impacts of climate change is essential to our community's long-term health and prosperity. My priorities are to:

​

• Protect long-term water security through conservation measures, infrastructure planning, and responsible management of groundwater resources. 

• Complete the review of the North Cowichan Municipal Forest Reserve in partnership with Quw’utsun Nation and implement a new forest management plan that reflects the results of public engagement and supports long-term stewardship. 

• Advance restoration and protection of important ecosystems, including improving Quamichan Lake water quality and continuing the partnership with the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society to restore and protect Somenos Marsh. 

• Implement North Cowichan’s climate change adaptation strategy to prepare for increasing risks from extreme weather events, including flooding, wildfires, heat waves, and sea level rise. 

• Strengthen wildfire response and community resilience by developing a new Wildfire Preparedness Strategy and continuing to invest in prevention and mitigation measures. 

• Implement North Cowichan’s Biodiversity Protection Policy to protect wildlife habitat, ecological corridors, and environmentally sensitive areas throughout the municipality. 

• Expand tree canopy across North Cowichan by developing an Urban Forest Strategy, establishing an annual tree planting program, and updating policies and regulations to support greener, more resilient communities. 

• Implement the actions identified in North Cowichan’s Climate Action and Energy Plan to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and support a more sustainable community.