The Cumberland Forest is part of an interconnected system of forests, salmon bearing creeks, wetlands and riparian areas located on Vancouver Island in the unceded territory of the Pentlatch, Ieeksan (eye-ick-sun), Sasitla (sa-seet-la), and Sathloot (sath-loot) people, known today as the K’omoks First Nation.
This forest is an integral part of both the Trent and Puntledge Watersheds, feeds Comox Lake, and forms a critical link in an extensive biodiversity corridor that connects mountains and lakes to the Salish Sea. This forest is privately owned by timber companies.
The Cumberland Forest has given a great deal to our community. The colonial history of Vancouver Island was built on logging and mining and the Cumberland Forest was a significant base for both activities.
The Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS) is a charitable society formed 25 years ago with the mission to purchase, protect and care for the Cumberland Forest.
Guided by the belief that this forest is worth more to our community standing than as timber, the society is supported by individuals, organizations and businesses from across the region and beyond.
To date the society has purchased 545 acres in 5 separate purchases and registered conservation covenants on the lands to ensure their future protection. The most recent purchase was December 21st 2022 when 44 acres known as the Lower Perseverance Corridor Project was purchased by the community.
Today a multi use trail system enjoyed by a variety of users winds its way through this landscape. Cedar groves and riparian areas support rich biodiversity and new restoration projects are supporting ecosystem recovery.
We’re not done yet and we are currently working on new land protection initiatives to expand the conservation lands, protect our drinking watershed and build climate resilience in the landscape.
Please support our land protection and stewardship efforts, and help us let these forests grow old by becoming a donor today.
#protectcumberlandforest #restorethecommons #weshareawatershed #cvconservation #projectperseverance
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Save Our Forest
The Cumberland Forest is part of an interconnected system of forests, creeks, wetlands and riparian areas that form part of both the Trent and Puntledge Watersheds. The ecosystem is an important link that connects the mountains, rivers and lakes of Vancouver Island to the shores of the Salish Sea.
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Recent Successes
In 2005 we purchased 178 acres of forest for $1.2 million. In 2016 we acquired another 89 acres of forest directly adjacent to the first parcel. On September 1st 2020, we completed a 225 acres purchase along Perseverance Creek to the southwest of the existing lands and in December 2023 the 44 acre Lower Perseverance Creek corridor was protected.
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You Can Help
There are many ways that you can support this exciting community conservation effort. You can become a monthly donor, a one time contributor or develop a unique business campaign to raise funds. You can also share your skills, talents and energy as a volunteer for one of our super fun events.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Don't miss the Devil's Ladder Ultra coming up on July 12th! Devil’s Ladder Ultra is an epic trail race that features world-class singletrack in a spectacular rainshadow forest ecosystem and […]
Join the Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS) for a lakeside presentation all about bats! The CCFS is part of the BC Community Bat Program and manages the local BC Bat […]
LATEST NEWS & FUN FACTS
Cumberland’s 2025 Home & Garden Tour just around the corner!
The Cumberland Community Forest Society is inviting friends and neighbours from across the Comox Valley and beyond to take a peek behind the doors, hedges and fences of legendary Cumberland on Saturday June 28th from 9 am till 5 pm. The much anticipated annual Cumberland Home & Garden Tour is
To Middle Earth…and Beyond!
This spring the CCFS has launched our 6th major land acquisition and has begun work to secure a parcel we’re calling Middle Earth from private forest manager Manulife Investment Management. This area to the east and south of the existing Cumberland Community Forest park lands. This 106-acre parcel includes a
BC Community Bat Count kicking off June 1st!
The BC Annual Bat Count kicks off June 1st and the Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS), bat biologists and volunteers will be enjoying late nights, counting bats at maternity roosts throughout the Comox Valley region! “It’s an amazing experience, staying up until the darkness sets in while counting bats,” says
Spring Stewardship and Volunteer Opportunities!
With hints of spring all around us we’re getting some stewardship work parties onto the calendar! For those of you keen to get your hands and feet dirty, Program Coordinator Heather Thomson is leading some upcoming activities! Invasive Species Management – March 13 and April 21, 9:30 am -12 pm
Calling All Gumboot Fairies!
In celebration of our 25th anniversary the Cumberland Community Forest Society is Calling All Gumboot Fairies! The Gumboot Fairies of the Cumberland Forest are a long standing tradition. Since our early years as an organization our community has joined in the annual MayDay Parade dressed up as a colourful cacophony
Watersheds, Wildfire and Changing Forest Landscapes
This day-long symposium will explore changing ecosystems and emerging wildfire risk, land ownership and management contexts, relationship building, knowledge holding and knowledge sharing, and collaborations and projects that help to improve ecosystem health and build wildfire resilience in the Wildland Urban Interface of the Comox Lake Watershed. Registration is limited and