A New Approach

How will Iisaak set a worldwide precedent for innovative forest management?

• Develop and deliver new, innovative ways of managing the resources of Clayoquot Sound which respect to cultural, spiritual, recreational, economic and scenic values.
  
• Collaborate with local communities and conservation interests to maximize the value of the products delivered through the application of forest practices that respect ecological and cultural values.
  
• Deliver value based select products that are customized to meet the interests of local and international buyers.
  
• Achieve Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification through an independent, third party accredited certifying body.
  
• Establish a successful forest services company that will demonstrate innovative approaches to ecologically based forest management.
  
• Visit and learn from examples of sustainable management of indigenous forests from around the world.
  
• Manage adaptively.

How is Iisaak different from conventional forest companies? Iisaak represents a turning point in resource management in Clayoquot Sound. A departure from conventional forest practices, Iisaak will respect all forest values.

Maximizes profit. Simplifies forest and outputs. Manages for a single product. Emphasizes quantity of production. Reduces standing timber inventory. Reduces native biodiversity. "Environment" is a cost.		Builds asset value and total returns. Restores forest complexity. Manages for multiple products. Emphasizes quality of production. Sustains long-term forest yields. Supports native biodiversity. "Environment" is a benefit.
Adapted with permission from Michael Jenkins, Forest Trends

How will Iisaak benefit the local Communities?

Local communities will benefit from the development and implementation of innovative forest practices that create a diversified forest economy and support community stability.  Iisaak's goals include:

Creating Diversification

• Establish economic participation of First Nations in the forest sector.
• Supply logs to local value added sector to create business opportunities.
• Provide opportunities to gain expertise and build capacity in ecosystem based forestry for forestry workers, logging contractors, and small scale specialized equipment manufacturers.
• Integrate forestry with conservation values.

Fostering Community Stability

• Promote local control of resource management in Clayoquot Sound.
• Increase revenue.
• Enhance local employment opportunities.
• Participate in Clayoquot Sound initiatives - including Biosphere.
• Reduce conflict.

Developing opportunities for the  Nuu-chah-nulth Central Region First Nations

• Participate in joint management of traditional lands.
• Gain special management, professional, and technical training.
• Build capacity and financial resources.
• Create a solid foundation for business ventures.
• Participate in policy and management decision-making.
• Increase employment opportunities.
• Implement world class ecosystem based forest management.
• Promote non-timber forest products.