People and businesses are moving to Vancouver Island and we welcome them and welcome the growth that they bring. However, we also recognize the importance of our rural areas and our precious agricultural lands as well as the forests and riparian areas that surround us.

Our meetings to date have discussed communications and outreach plans.

We are looking at sustainability options in light of this community's interests, rural character and land use options as well as a proposal developed in the 1980's for a biosphere reserve extending through the Gulf Islands and the surrounding coastal area. With present deliberations underway for a National Marine Conservation Area, to be established to the north of the Southern Gulf Islands National Park, the Cedar-Yellow Point area may serve as a natural area for a complementary buffer and land component.

We wish to contribute to the RDN Regional Growth Strategy and Official Community Plan reviews. Our vision is global. Our concern is the larger challenges such as global climate change, food security and peak oil. We act locally and are taking steps to help determine the best practices which could guide sustainable community development in the area.

 "It self-organizes and evolves. It creates diversity, not uniformity. That's what makes the world interesting, that's what makes it beautiful, and that's what makes it work." Donella Meadows