CES is a grassroots organization representing a large proportion of the adult population of Cortes Island. Our mission is to obtain tenure over the industrial forest lands of Cortes Island for the creation of the Cortes Community Forest.



The Challenge

British Columbia`s tenure system for Crown lands gives the great majority of timber cutting rights to a few large corporations, at the expense of local communities and ecosystems.



Our Goal

Cortes Community Forest

CES seeks community tenure over both the Crown lands and some of Weyerhaeuser`s privately held Forest Reserve lands on Cortes Island. These lands will form the Cortes Community Forest. They constitute about 5500 hectares, close to 40% of the island land base.



These lands will be managed by CES using principles of ecosystem-based forest use.



Local Economic Stability



CES will seek to optimize local economic stability from timber harvest by milling and manufacturing wood products on the island. These products will be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Harvest of other forest products and eco-tourism will contribute to rural economic stability.