Gifts to Canadians 2010 - British Columbia

Chase Woods, Cowichan Valley

Harbouring an intact example of the old-growth Coastal Douglas-fir forests that once dominated southeastern Vancouver Island, Chase Woods represents what James Douglas would have seen when he first sailed into Cowichan Bay.

Older Coastal Douglas-fir forests are among the rarest ecosystems in British Columbia and are considered of the highest conservation value. Chase Woods supports 100 acres (40 hectares) of intact Coastal Douglas-fir habitat, nurturing centuries old Western Yew, Douglas-fir, Garry Oak, Lodgepole Pine and Arbutus. The property is home to myriad rare species and habitat types including the globally-imperilled Garry Oak plant community.

The protection of Chase Woods is critical to the ongoing survival of this iconic and rare coastal ecosystem.

Conservation Opportunity

Chase Woods represents an ecologically and culturally significant piece of the Cowichan Valley mosaic. Rising from sea-level to almost 400 metres at the summit of Mt Tzouhalem, Chase Woods nurtures a microcosm of the rare Coastal Douglas-fir forest in all its diversity.

Connected to the Mt Tzuhalem Ecological Reserve via the forested slopes of Providence Farm and containing the cross that can be seen from across Cowichan Bay, Chase Woods supports a natural treasure that is already well-loved by naturalists, hikers, historians and countless others from the local community and beyond.

Chase Woods at a Glance

Coastal Douglas-fir on the Chase property

Less than one percent
of Coastal Douglas-fir
forests are now left
in the world.

Size: 101 acres / 41 hectares

Location: Cowichan Valley, Southern Vancouver Island

Forest Type: rare Coastal Douglas-fir, including the endangered Garry Oak habitat

Notable Wildlife: Peregrine Falcon, Pacific Tree Frog, Great Blue Heron, Cougar

Rare Plants: White-top Aster (federally endangered), Farewell-to-spring, California-tea

Threats: suburban development, invasive species, timber harvesting

Conservation Values

Boulder ferns on the Chase property

Habitat

dramatic boulder fields, hidden caves and steep cliffs create structural diversity and support a multitude of small mammals, bats and birds of prey including the COSEWIC-listed Peregrine Falcon

Tzuhalem Creek Falls tumble through the moss covered rocks

Water

verdant streamside habitat supports numerous amphibian species
wetland connects to tidal channels of the Cowichan estuary, which is important to salmon and waterfowl
wetland attracts large breeding congregations of Pacific Tree Frogs, and thus Great Blue Herons and Racoons

view larger map >

Connectivity

connects to the estuary at the head of Cowichan Bay, much of which is already protected by other conservation organizations
the adjacent, undeveloped slopes of Providence Farm allows rare species to move between the Mt Tzuhalem Ecolgocial Reserve and Chase Woods
the nearby Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve (NCC’s flagship project in the valley) harbours many valuable and rare species that will benefit from increased habitat in the general area.

Our Partners

NCC would like to thank the following groups for their support in the campaign to protect Chase Woods.

Cowichan Community Land Trust
Kaatza Foundation
Lohn Foundation
Federal Government (through the Natural Area Conservation Program)
BC Trust for Public Lands
(Environment Canada; Ministry of Agriculture and Lands; Ministry of Environment; Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation; Ducks Unlimited Canada; The Nature Trust of British Columbia; The Nature Conservancy of Canada; The Land Conservancy of British Columbia; The Pacific Salmon Foundation; The Union of BC Municipalities; Integrated Land Management Bureau)
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
Maple Bay Ratepayers Association
Laura Harris (in memorium)
Sue Coleman
numerous Cowichan Valley community members

Follow this link to read NCC's other Gifts to Canadians for 2010.

Photo credits
From top: Mt Tzouhalem Moonrise (Mike Szaszik); Douglas-fir (Tim Ennis); Boulder Ferns (Tim Ennis); Tzouhalem Creek (Tim Ennis); map detail (NCC)