Webinar: Tree Protection and the Islands Trust
Join us for a lunch and learn on July 28th to explain and explore tree and forest protection policy on the Gulf Islands.
The Islands Trust is a unique form of local governance in British Columbia. Upon recognizing the ecological significance of the Gulf Islands, the province created the Islands Trust with a legislated mandate to protect the “unique amenities and environment” of the Islands Trust area. Despite this structure and mandate, the Islands Trust has not been granted many of the tools needed to carry out its purpose. We are hosting a webinar on July 28th at noon to decode the complexities of tree and forest protection policy within the jurisdiction of the Islands Trust.
The webinar will begin with a brief presentation by Alex McLean, our Tree Protection Policy Intern, on the structure of the Islands Trust and the findings from his research on tree protection bylaws in BC before moving to an open panel discussion on tree protection policy and the Islands Trust.
Speakers
Dr. Deb Morrison, a climate and anti-oppression activist, scientist, educator, mother, and locally elected official on North Pender Island. Dr. Morrison will speak to the tree protection measures currently available to Local Trust Committees and what needs to change to make them stronger.
Adam Olsen (SȾHENEP) MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, member of the B.C. Green Caucus, and member of Tsartlip First Nation. Olsen will speak to the province’s role in providing options to the Islands Trust for better tree and forest protection.
Sheila Anderson is a Director on the Board of the Galiano Conservancy Association and a former Galiano Local Trustee. Sheila has also held positions on Galiano Parks and Recreation Commission, Galiano Club Board, Activity Centre and LTC Advisory Planning and Transportation Commissions. She will be able to speak about tree protection and policy in the Islands Trust from many different perspectives, with a focus on the Galiano Island context.
