Local Organizations Partner to Work on the Future of Cumberland Forest
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Cumberland, B.C. – The Cumberland Community Forest is a defining feature of the Comox Valley, valued by locals and visitors alike. To ensure its long-term ecological, cultural, and recreational stewardship, four local organizations have partnered to develop a comprehensive strategy for the forest and surrounding lands.
Guided by a shared Memorandum of Understanding, the initiative brings together the Village of Cumberland, the Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS), United Riders of Cumberland (UROC), and Comox Valley Land Trust (CVLT) who will carefully consider the more than 1,000 acres of parkland, trails, and landscapes. In addition to serving as a Cumberland Community Forest Park management plan, the strategy will also consider lands that are part of proposed future purchases or protection efforts by the Cumberland Community Forest Society and other adjacent parcels of land of mutual interest to the partners.
“This partnership reflects our community’s deep appreciation and commitment to stewarding Cumberland Forest for both current and future generations,” says Vickey Brown, Mayor, Village of Cumberland. “We’re excited to build on the excellent work of each partner organization and their expertise as we come together to develop a shared plan and vision for this cherished forest’s future.”
As part of the pre-project planning in 2025, the Village of Cumberland commissioned a Cultural Values Report authored by K’ómoks First Nation’s (KFN) consulting archeologist and supported by KFN Guardians and Archeological and Ecological Monitors. This report, alongside ongoing consultation with KFN, will inform the strategy.
Additional data will also be considered in the planning process including an up-to-date ecological inventory from CCFS which will provide information about aquatic, riparian, and terrestrial ecosystems, legacy forest areas, species at risk, and habitat connectivity corridors. UROC will share existing detailed and extensive trail mapping and usage information.
The strategy will also look at:
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- Watershed, forest, creek, wetland, and general ecosystem health
- Recreational access and egress planning, including trailheads, facilities, surrounding lands, and parking areas
- Trail planning, designations, construction, and maintenance
- Outdoor learning and cultural spaces
- Ecological restoration opportunities to support biodiversity and wildfire resilienceOnce completed, the strategy will offer a forward-looking framework to guide land management, conservation, and recreation planning across Cumberland Forest.
“This project takes a landscape scale perspective and informs new ways of looking at conservation through collaborative land management that balances ecological, cultural, and recreation values,” says Meaghan Cursons, Executive Director, Cumberland Community Forest Society. “We look forward to the synergy gained through working together in a meaningful way with our partners on landscape scale projects, challenges, and opportunities.”
“Through collaboration, this partnership advances land planning in Cumberland Forest while supporting recreation, ecological values, and long-term stewardship,” says Dougal Browne, Executive Director, United Riders of Cumberland. “Together, we will help maintain and enhance these landscapes so they continue to offer memorable trail experiences for all.”
“We are pleased to be working with community partners on this broader planning effort,” says Tim Ennis, Executive Director, Comox Valley Land Trust. “We are confident the result will be stronger stewardship of the lands, now and into the future.”
Building on this collaboration, the Village is also working closely with CCFS, UROC and CVLT to respond to damages and impacts of the January 2026 Perseverance Creek flood on trails, creeks and adjacent riparian areas. This work involves looking at short term options for a seasonal crossing of the creek in the park aimed at minimizing impact in environmentally sensitive areas, as well as assessing risks to critical infrastructure. It will also include planning for longer-term holistic solutions for supporting the environmental systems in the area.
The planning process will happen throughout 2026, with public engagement through the Engage Comox Valley website and in-person community engagement in the late fall.
To learn more about this project as it unfolds, please visit https://engagecomoxvalley.ca/cumberland-forest-land-strategy
Find out more about the Community Forest Park: https://cumberland.ca/community-forest/
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