Resilient Saanich Updates

The Resilient Saanich process began in 2020 to develop an Environmental Policy Framework, a Climate Plan (2020), a Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, and an Enhanced Stewardship Program. We have moved into the end of Milestone Three of the initiative, described in the Terms of Reference approved by Council. State of Biodiversity Report was presented to Council in March of 2023.

Public Engagement

Milestone 1 Phase: A public engagement process closed on March 15, 2021. You can still read the engagement information on the Resilient Saanich Virtual Open House.

Milestone 2 Phase: A Community StoryMap was launched to provide information for the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. A Milestone 2 progress report was approved by Council on August 22, 2022, including Resilient Saanich Principles and Goals and an updated workplan for Milestone 3.  

Milestone 3 Phase: Community meetings were held with the W’SANEC Leadership Council members in January and May of 2023, to discuss both the BCS and the Urban Forest Strategy (UFS). A presentation was made to the W’SANEC Leadership Council Technical Advisory Committee in September of 2023, regarding both the BCS and the UFS.

Engagement opportunities were provided at Public Open Houses on the BCS and the UFS in April of 2023. A technical experts’ workshop was held in September 2023 to gather information for draft recommendations for the BCS. 

The Stewardship Committee of the Resilient Saanich Technical Committee has drafted an Enhanced Stewardship discussion paper [PDF - 256 KB] that was provided to Diamond Head Consulting for consideration. Environmental Policy Framework Draft to be completed by staff. 

The Biodiversity Conservation Strategy is in development by Diamond Head Consulting.

State of Biodiversity Summary Report:
View an updated version of Diamond Head’s State of Biodiversity Summary Report. 

Ongoing: You can subscribe to the e-Bulletins (below) and check the Resilient Saanich Technical Committee meeting page for updates on their work.

Resilient Saanich e-Bulletins

To keep informed of project updates and participation opportunities, you can subscribe to the Resilient Saanich e-Bulletins. The following are e-Bulletins (in PDF format) that have been sent out since the start of the project:

Resilient Saanich Factsheets
(PDF Documents)

Factsheet #1: FAQs [887 KB]
Factsheet #2: Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Examples [3 MB] 
Factsheet #3: Biodiversity Targets [509 KB]
Factsheet #4: Biodiversity Conservation Resources [526 KB]
Factsheet #5: Biodiversity Related Saanich Reports [2 MB]
Factsheet #6: Biodiversity and Protected Areas in Saanich [535 KB]
Factsheet #7: Environmental Stewardship Examples [556 KB]