Growing Opportunity As We Honour Our Heritage
We are the largest First Nation in BC. The Khowutzun Development Corporation (KDC) was formed with the central mission “to build partnerships to develop and support enterprises, create opportunities for citizens to succeed in employment and business ventures, and to support Cowichan Tribes programs.”
We strive for the success of the communities we serve, through employment and training opportunities, implementing economic development ventures, preserving the rich culture and heritage of the region, and honouring the land on which we live. With a strong connection to tradition, we’re proud to balance this respect for our culture with future-focused initiatives aimed at creating more opportunities and healthy environments for our younger generations.
FOREST SERVICES
Khowutzun Forest Services provides firefighting and silviculture services to the ancestral Cowichan territory, including manual brushing and weeding, tree planting and land clearing. KFS believes in improving forest health and timber yields, while conserving wildlife habitat. Traditionally, the Quw’utsun’ People were extensively involved in forestry. KDC is proud to support this heritage by partnering with Khowutzun Forest Services to create more jobs for our people while elevating the industry.
Our People
PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF OUR FORESTED LANDS
Khowutzun Forest Services is committed to contributing to the forestry industry of the Cowichan region with economic and environmentally sustainable principles, ensuring the biodiversity of the region is protected. KFS delivers forest management services that reflect our heritage, culture, and environmental values.
Rob Furness
General Manager
Troy Elliot
Operations Manager
WHAT WE DO
Khowutzun Forest Services is owned by the Cowichan Tribes, the largest First Nation Band in BC with over 4,900 citizens. We provide responsible and reliable forest management objectives through planning, engineering, silviculture, harvesting, and GIS mapping services for the forest sector. We are committed to upholding sustainable resource management practices and making meaningful contributions to the communities we serve.
LOCATION/CONTACT
KHOWUTZUN FOREST SERVICES
PO Box 967, 200 Cowichan Way
Duncan, British Columbia V9L 3Y2
PHONE: (250) 746-4555
FREEGRO
KHOWUTZUN FREEGRO TREE SHELTERS
Using a sustainable manufacturing process, Khowutzun Freegro TreeShelters (KFT) produces innovative tree shelters to protect seedlings from animal browse, supporting the establishment of healthier forests. The partnership between KFT and the Cowichan Tribes exemplifies First Nation leadership in environmental stewardship and innovation.
SUPPORTING NEW GROWTH OF OUR FORESTS AND COMMUNITIES
Cowichan Tribes have always been involved in forestry, and our partnership honours the cultural legacy of this relationship with the land while fostering opportunities for economic growth of the Cowichan Valley region. KFT strives to create original solutions for protecting seedlings, forest management services, urban landscaping and environmental restoration. With a local production facility at the Quw’utsun’ Centre, KFT is proud to support economic development and sustainable resource management in Cowichan and beyond.
Our People
John Kendall
KFT Partner
Kimberly Sullivan
Manager
WHAT WE DO
At Khowutzun Freegro TreeShelters, we produce an exceptional seedling protector that results in enhanced tree growth, lower costs, increased timber yields and values, and improved carbon sequestration rates. KFT shelters are compactable and easy to handle, install, remove and store. They have an industry-leading lifespan of 15 years, can be reused multiple times, and have been shown to save landowners and forest management companies over 25% on browse protection costs. We are proud to play a key role in the revitalization and protection of our managed lands, as well as creating significant employment opportunities for our communities.
LOCATION/CONTACT
KHOWUTZUN FREEGRO TREESHELTERS
PO Box 967, 200 Cowichan Way
Duncan, BC V9L 3Y2
PHONE: (250) 746-8350
EMAIL: info@khowutzun.com