Coastal Douglas Fir Ecosystem Portal
Reducing Risk and Fostering Connection in our Communities
Salt Spring Island’s Coastal Douglas fir (CDF) forests are part of a globally rare ecological zone found almost exclusively on BC’s south coast. These forests and associated ecosystems are critical to the health of island communities – watershed health and freshwater availability, resilience from drought, flood and fire, and mitigation of impacts of climate change. But they have been undergoing drastic change and are increasingly at risk.
Check out our video “Coastal Douglas Fir Forests: Past, Present & Future”
We humbly acknowledge we live and work in the Coast Salish treaty and territories of the BOḰEĆEN, Quw’utsun Tribes, Xeláltxw, Xwémalhkwu/ʔop qaymɩxʷ, K’ómoks, toq qaymɩxʷ, Ts’uubaa-asatx, Lək̓ ʷəŋən (SXIMEȽEȽ, Songhees, T’Sou-ke), Lyackson, MÁLEXEȽ, Spune’luxutth, Qualicum, Scia’new, səl̓ilwətaʔɬ, SEMYOME, shíshálh, Snaw-naw-as, Snuneymuxw, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, SȾÁUTW̱, Stz’uminus, ɬaʔəmen, scəẃaθən məsteyəxʷ, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, W̱JOȽEȽP, W̱SIḴEM, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm.
Find out how CDF forests support us and how we can properly steward them to reduce risk and enhance island resilience.
Have fun exploring and learning as you navigate this community resource!
How have Salt Spring’s Coastal Douglas fir (CDF) forests changed over time? How much forest cover exists today? What might these forests look like in future?
How do lush, intact forests reduce the risk of DROUGHT, FLOODING and FIRE? Learn more about carbon stewardship, watershed health, biodiversity and fire ecology with our CDF Stewardship Series.
How can you steward CDF forests to decrease risk and support island resilience? Learn what stewardship practices to implement on your property, including managing fire risk, via the CDF Action Explorer.
Deepen your learning with maps on island watersheds, fire risk, and climate change as well as other community resources.
