Editor:
In a recent letter to the editor, ELF wrote that “the shíshálh Nation was not prepared to provide (The Community Forest) with the final sign-off on EW24”. In fact, shíshálh Nation approved EW24 on April 6. The writer also claims the last information about our logging plans was an invitation for bids from local contractors on March 25. Additional information on EW24 has been printed in the Coast Reporter since then in both a paid ad by us on March 30, and in an article by Connie Jordison on April 13.
Since the last news on EW24 was that it was postponed, our communications have been focused on the other things happening at the Community Forest like Legacy Fund grants and our series of sponsored forest tours graciously hosted by Indigenous cultural ambassadors of Talaysay Tours. What is in a name? The writer may be Logging Focused but we are not, and when we’re not logging there are many other things we’re working on – putting time and funds into local projects like the Cascade Greens Butterfly Garden, planning for Big Trees recreation site upgrades, assessing local trails for danger trees, our community firewood program, and planning for upcoming events like the Halfmoon Bay Fair. This is why our “Community First” campaign fits the bill for us, because that is so much of what we do – after all we only make up one per cent of the logging happening on the Sunshine Coast, and 100 per cent of the financial benefit goes to our community.
Best Regards,
Sara Zieleman
Sunshine Coast Community Forest
