Mosaic Forest Management, which manages private timberlands and public forest tenures on Vancouver Island, has signed a deal with seven Island search and rescue groups giving them land access for training purposes.
The agreements also offer data-sharing opportunities and support for the groups.
“We’re very proud to support the dedicated volunteers of these search and rescue organizations,” said Domenico Iannidinardo, Mosaic’s chief forester. “They play a critical role in public safety, providing a vital lifeline to those who are lost or injured in the Vancouver Island wilderness.”
The new access agreements allow the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue, Campbell River Search and Rescue, Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue, Ladysmith Search and Rescue, Nanaimo Search and Rescue, and Westcoast Inland Search and Rescue access to the land.
All of the organizations are run by on-call volunteers.
“People are often reported missing simply because they didn’t let someone know where they were going or when they planned to return,” said Arrowsmith Search and Rescue president Nick Rivers. “Our access agreement with Mosaic helps facilitate both live rescues and practice scenarios, ultimately bringing down the number of rescue calls.”
