We are excited to announce the release of our interactive Cortes Community Ecosystem Maps (CCEM). Over the past year we have been working in partnership with the Cortes Community Forest and other dedicated community members, with the help and expertise of mapping specialist Eve Flager, to develop a series of maps illustrating the current ecological and human landscape of Cortes Island.

These maps were produced from a combination of data layers currently available through various branches of government, the Cortes Community Forest base mapping and some local fieldwork by community members. All data sources are provided at the foot of each map. These maps are a first step and a work in progress, providing a critical baseline for future community projects and planning.

The maps illustrate:

Forested and Non-Forested Ecosystems
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory
Fresh Water and Foreshore Ecosystems
Old Forest and Protected Areas
Zoning and Current Development
Geology
Habitat Linkage Network

Check them out in the "resources" section of our website. Come to the official launch of this project on November 15th and meet Eve Flager and her team.