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Clayoquot Green Economic Opportunities Project
PART ONE
PROJECT BACKGROUND, PARAMETERS, RESEARCH METHODS
1.1 Introduction
In the fall of 2002 Friends of Clayoquot Sound proposed to Clayoquot Biosphere Trust a project to research opportunities for conservation-based economic development in Clayoquot Sound. One of five projects supported by the Trust in 2002, the purpose of the Green Economic Opportunities Study was to provide information that would facilitate a transition strategy towards a sustainable economy in accordance with the conditions of the Clayoquot UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation. The designation states:
The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve will address the Statutory Framework's three functions of conservation, development and logistical support in the following manner:
a) Conservation - contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation
b) Development - foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable
c) Logistic support - support for demonstration projects, environmental education and training, research and monitoring related to local, regional national and global issues of conservation and sustainable development.
This project speaks specifically to item (b) socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable development.
Seeking expertise in the field of conservation-based economic development Friends of Clayoquot Sound formalized a partnership with Ecotrust Canada and Simon Fraser University's Community Economic Development Centre, with Ecotrust contributing substantial in-kind resources. It was further determined, given that social equity is a key goal of sustainable development and that rural, First Nations communities within the region have not benefited significantly from the resource extraction economy, that the study should focus on opportunities appropriate for these communities. An agreement was developed with Ahousaht First Nation that would allow the research team to examine economic opportunities with a particular emphasis on those that might best support the needs and priorities of their community. The work with Ahousaht, to plan and develop appropriate economic activities for their community and membership, will continue beyond the conclusion of this project thanks to the generous financial support of Ahousaht First Nation and Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Commission.
The goal of the research project was to: provide a list of conservation-friendly small business opportunities that are viable, provide avenues to increase community employment levels to more closely resemble national rural averages and lead towards an environmentally responsible economy in Clayoquot Sound.
The research has gone one step further. In addition to identifying potential industries and businesses that meet the 'green sustainability' criteria, the findings in this report analyze barriers to regional development and propose steps that need to be taken to realize these opportunities.
The research and report is intended to benefit tribal, municipal, and provincial decision-makers, entrepreneurs, "green" investors and funders who are interested in crafting a sustainable economy in Clayoquot Sound. It provides tangible information for integrating socio-economic needs into conservation decision-making and for attracting investment. It is our hope that report findings will help allay fears of a transition to a sustainable economy; fears that present barriers to change and to harnessing the amazing opportunities offered by the region's natural, economic, social and cultural wealth. This report challenges the region and its community leaders to meet their commitment as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and to pursue these opportunities in a manner that protects options for future generations of Clayoquot residents.
1.2 Study Approach and Methodology
What is Sustainable Community Economic Development?
Sustainable economies are built through sustainable or "green" community economic development (CED) initiatives.
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According to the SFU CED Centre, CED is "a process by which communities can initiate and generate their own solutions to their common economic problems and thereby build long-term community capacity and foster the integration of economic, social and environmental objectives". CED emphasizes local involvement in, and control of, the development process. As an alternative development approach it gives precedence to the interests of communities over those of consumers or shareholders, the drivers of conventional economic development.
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"Millenia before the words 'sustainable development' gained vogue, Nuu-chah-nulth people had fully embraced the concept. They had to. It's what kept them alive (NTC)."
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Sustainable CED combines the principles of sustainable development and CED. It emphasizes the realities of the natural world (limitations on our ability to utilize the environment as a supplier of resources and as an assimilator of human-generated wastes), along with local social, cultural and economic realities brought into the development process through meaningful participation. The overall goals of sustainable CED are ecosystem and community health. These goals are achieved through economic development initiatives that strive to create greater local self-reliance and economic diversity, maximize efficiency of resource use and recognize the holistic nature of economies and ecosystems.
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Creating a sustainable economy in Clayoquot Sound has additional dimensions. The region's history, population and relationship to the land demands development that is culturally appropriate and that incorporates both formal and informal (non-cash) components of the economy. This contrasts mainstream development approaches that often jeopardize local subsistence economies and ways of life.
Finally, sustainable CED (SCED) must address equity within current and future generations. Sustainable development addresses basic human needs as one of its key concepts, in particular of the poor, as well as limitations of the environment's ability to meet those needs today and in the future.
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Revelstoke BC has been in transition since the mid-1980s when work on the hydro dam and Rogers Pass ended and a major sawmill shut down. Within two years, the population declined from 10,000 to 7,500 and unemployment reached 25 per cent. Therefore, its strategy was to develop infrastructure, a local enterprise centre and purchase a TFL ... community leaders prepared and implemented the first in a series of economic development strategies In 1992 Revelstoke completed a community vision statement that set out its values, goals and priorities. A year later, the city became the first community in B.C. to purchase its own timber license. Over the last several years Revelstoke's strategic plan put priority on support for value-added manufacturing, small business and tourism, telecommunications infrastructure and promotion of the film industry. Today the population has recovered to 8,800 and tourism is the largest industry.
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1.3 Screening Criteria
To assist with the assessment and analysis of a wide range of economic development opportunities, the research team developed a set of criteria that was used as a 'screen' to measure economic opportunities against each other and against the 'ideal' of a sustainable community economic development model. Each opportunity (as detailed in Part Two of the report) concludes with a summary of potential and an assessment against these criteria. Table 1 describes the screening criteria in more detail.
The research team looked at the economic opportunities from two distinctly different perspectives. First, from the perspective of sectoral opportunities, including information about growth, viability and potential relevance or 'fit' of each with the local communities in the Clayoquot Biosphere Region. Second, opportunities were examined from the perspective of overarching issues specific to the region that may impact on their real-time viability.
While it is the position of the authors that with a clear and consistent regulatory framework, best practices in environmental management and increased local control both logging and finfish aquaculture could be conducted sustainably, these activities are excluded from the study. Both sectors are highly controversial in the region and the subject of numerous studies and planning/dialogue processes. Therefore, we have chosen to focus on other (less talked about, even neglected) areas of the economy. Recognizing the historical and current importance of the forestry and aquaculture sectors to the local economies of the region, we encourage the deepening of dialogue and further exploration of the ways and means to bring these industries 'into line' with a sustainable
community economic development (SCED) model.
1.4 Strategies for Implementing a Sustainable Economy
The research project not only focussed on what sectoral opportunities may be available to the region now and in the future, but also what the region can do in order to maximize its' overall movement towards a sustainable economy.
CED is a combination of principles, process and action. Strategies represent a key link between planning and action, a way of pursuing the goals and objectives established in a CED planning process. Strategies should be selected that are appropriate to a community's aspirations and abilities. Every community has particular strengths, weaknesses and concerns that will determine which strategies are best suited to their circumstances. In Part Five of this report (Profile of Communities) and throughout the opportunity analysis we assess the capacity of the area for CED, helping to identify which strategies are a good "fit" for communities considering their use.
Within each strategy a number of specific initiatives can be undertaken. For example, as part of an overall strategy to encourage new business development, communities may choose to create a business incubator facility or provide business support and mentorship services. Communities (see Table 2) have employed many different strategies for economic renewal and enhancement of community well being. The list of strategies provided is not comprehensive but does illustrate the variety of CED initiatives that are possible. Strategies and initiatives recommended for developing a sustainable economy in Clayoquot Sound are presented in Section Four.
Successful SCED will combine and integrate several of these selected elements.
1.5 Research Methods
Information for this report was gathered through:
- a review of previous studies and documents from the region,
- interviews with more than 50 representatives of local municipalities, First Nations, economic and community development organizations and entrepreneurs (see Appendices)
- a brainstorming session at the November 2002 Science Symposium,
- market research and analysis, and
- external case study research.
Steps to build community awareness of the Project included a CBT Science Symposium presentation in 2002, an article in the Westerly News and letters describing the project and inviting key agencies to participate.
A series of meetings and discussions were held with hereditary chiefs, elected Chief and council, staff and community members of Ahousaht. Two Ahousaht researchers were hired on contract to assist with the research, one of whom has expressed an interest in continued education and work in the field of community economic development. Information sharing agreements were signed with Ma-mook Development Corp. and Ahousaht.
1.6 Report Layout
The report is presented in two parts.
Part One includes:
- a summary of the project, its genesis, methods and objectives
- the definition of sustainable community development
- a critique of the Clayoquot Biosphere Regions 'readiness' to embark on a greener economy
- a summary of the sectors that were identified as appropriate
- a series of recommendations for action that will, if implemented, move the region closer to realizing its stated objective of becoming a conservation economy
- a demographic analysis of the communities that comprise the Biosphere Region
Part Two of the report, bound as a separate document, contains detailed information about thirteen sectors that the authors believe could form the foundation of a conservation economy for the region. Each sector analysis includes:
- the historical and current context of the industry,
- the relevance of this industry for the Biosphere Region,
- an analysis against the SCED screening criteria and
- a summary including opportunities for action.
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