The Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC) is calling for the federal Conservative government to protect 500 hectares of federal forest lands in Colwood and Metchosin. The unprotected lands in question are currently managed by the Department of National Defence (DND), Parks Canada, and Royal Roads University. They contain extremely rare old growth Douglas fir forests and endangered Garry oak ecosystems. Despite their ecological significance, these lands are potentially threatened by urban sprawl, new developments, and privatization. In order to see them protected, the Wilderness Committee is launching a public education campaign, giving public tours, and launching a letter-writing campaign.

This is the best possible opportunity in both urban greenspace and old growth forest conservation in Greater Victoria. Because they are publicly owned, the government doesn't have to buy these lands to protect them, unlike the private lands around Greater Victoria.

The Wilderness Committee is currently working with the Coalition to Protect Federal Lands in Colwood and Metchosin to establish concrete legislation that will protect these forest lands. The Wilderness Committee is asking concerned citizens to write to Prime Minister Stephen Harper to ensure that these federal lands are protected in legislation, for example, as part of a National Park Reserve and/or National Wildlife Area.

The lands contain ecologically significant and diverse habitats including sensitive wetlands, rare Garry oak and arbutus woodlands, western red cedar groves, and over 100 hectares of rare old growth coastal Douglas Fir forests. As 99 % of the old-growth coastal Douglas fir forests and 99% of the Garry oak ecosystems have already been destroyed, the protection of these lands is significant on a national level. They are home to screech owls, pygmy owls, sharp-tailed snakes, alligator lizards, black-tailed deer, and bald eagles. They also contain important archaeological artefacts such as shell middens and burial mounds.

These federal lands are split into various lots, each potentially facing different threats depending upon who manages each specific parcel. Expansion of DND operations and housing facilities, Juan De Fuca Recreation Center buildings, or Royal Roads University campus infrastructure would result in destruction of these forested lands. There is also the possibility that the federal government will sell off surplus Parks Canada and DND lands to private developers. Without legislated protection we run the risk of losing these important ecosystems to development.

The protection of these federal lands is a first rate national conservation priority.

Please write to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and let him know whether you support legislated protection of the Colwood and Metchosin federal lands in the form of either a National Park Reserve or a National Wildlife Area.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
80 Wellington ST.
Ottawa, ONT K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900
Pm@pm.gc.ca
(No postage needed if mailed in Canada)
Be sure to include your mailing address.

Descriptions of Federal Land Parcels (Size, Management Authority, Features, Threats)

These lands are split into lots, and managed by the Department of National Defense (DND), Royal Roads University, or Parks Canada. While all of the lots are important ecologically, each contains specific ecological and archaeological features, and face unique threats. Below is a map of the locations of the lots. Click on a lot for a detailed description of each of the lots with information about the specific ecological attributes, threats and archaeological features of each site. Also see the map of the different lots for information on their exact location. (We do, however, caution against visiting the DND lands as in some cases there is still a legacy of unexploded ordinance, and in other cases active use of the land for military practice.)

Click on map areas for detailed descriptions of the land parcels

* Note Mary Hill Battery Lands are not on this map of Colwood. They are found in Metchosin. Click here for a text description of the Mary Hill Battery Lands.