Forest Conservation Checklist

Extracted text (beginning)

Forest Conservation Checklist 
 
Level of 
commitment Impact Action 
Low 
Moderate to 
high,  
immediate 
Become a land steward: 
 Protect living trees 
 Leave standing dead trees (snags) and fallen trees to decay 
in place to provide shelter and food for wildlife 
 Become a citizen scientist—add your observations to a 
growing global database using the iNaturalist app, or keep 
a nature journal  
 Garden with native species 
 Keep cats indoors as much as possible 
 Control invasive species, like ivy, holly, daphne and broom 
 Restrict vehicle and livestock access into forests  
 Remember that fire is a natural and important part of forest 
ecosystems. Protect your home from fire through FireSmart 
home maintenance and by creating a 10-metre protective 
buffer of fire-resistant native plants. Help protect your 
community from fire by protecting old-growth forests: their 
high moisture-holding capacity makes them a natural fire break. 
 Leave large patches of natural forests intact 
 
High 
 
Moderate 
Potentially high, 
medium-term 
Consider how your community can protect forests through inclusion of 
Environmental  Development  Permit Areas and  conservation  guidelines 
in your Official Community Plan. 
High 
High,  
long-term 
Permanently protect your land with conservation covenant. A covenant 
is  a  voluntary,  legal  agreement  between  you  and  a  conservancy that 
protects your land from development not just while you own and live on 
the  land,  but  even  after  your  property is  sold  or  transferred  to  new 
owners. Covenants registered through the Natural Area Protection Tax 
Exemption   Program (NAPTEP) are   eligible   for   a   65%   reduction   in 
property taxes on the portion of land protected. 
High 
High,  
long-term 
Donate  land  to  the  Islands  Trust  Conservancy  or  another  conservation 
agency. The land will be permanently cared for and protected to achieve 
your  conservation  vision.  If  you  donate  land  with  significant  ecological 
value,  you  may  be  eligible  for  additional capital  gains  tax  exemptions 
through the federal Ecological Gifts Program.

First 3,000 characters. Open the original for the whole document.