The Children’s Forest

A traditional territory of the Klahoose First Nation, the land we call the Children's Forest spans old-growth and second-growth forests, wetlands, and the ecologically critical James Creek watershed.

South of Carrington Bay Regional Park on Cortes Island, a network of trails wind their way through its various ecosystems.

A group of Children's Forest alumni captured the value of this land in The Children's Forest documentary...

...as did film-maker Daniel Pierce of Ramshackle Pictures:

The Land

Spanning approximately 600 acres of forest on the north-western side of Cortes Island, the Children's Forest comprises 5 parcels of land, enclosing the southern end of the Carrington tidal lagoon, and provide access to Carrington Bay Park through a network of trails.

Our goal is to secure ownership of 261 acres, across two parcels, immediately adjacent the lagoon. The remainder of the Children's Forest has been placed into the owner's BigCoast carbon offset initiative and is protected for at least 25 years.

These lands are of particular ecological significance. Among other attributes, they: are home to many provincially and federally-listed at risk species, are a critical wildlife corridor to the northern wilds of Cortes Island, and contain James Creek, which supports a salmon run that has been a focus of our stewardship efforts.

We invite you to join us on one of our monthly Forest Walks to explore the Children's Forest for yourself.