Outdoor Education Project

Protecting nature through education and responsible use

Status: Under review, with ongoing feedback and project refinement

🌲 Small-scale, low-impact

🚤 Water access
No pressure on trails

👥 Groups of 8–10 people

🛑 No development in the Extensive Use Area

Project Purpose

Focused on public safety, wildfire prevention, and responsible outdoor education.

ONE WITH NATURE is proposing a small-scale outdoor education project focused on teaching people how to safely and responsibly interact with nature.

The project is intended to help reduce preventable search and rescue (SAR) incidents and lower wildfire risk by teaching practical outdoor skills, hazard awareness, and responsible fire practices.

A key focus is on people living in urban environments who often do not have access to land where they can legally and safely practice these skills. Through structured, supervised training, participants learn how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to emergencies or environmental damage.

What This Project Is NOT

To address common concerns clearly, it is important to explain what this project is not.

Not a large-scale development or resort, but a small-scale outdoor education project
Not a project that restricts access to East Sooke Regional Park
Not a commercial tourism operation with high visitor volume

Not a project that introduces significant infrastructure into natural areas
Not an activity that will displace public use of surrounding lands
Not a proposal to close existing trails through the area

The intention is to maintain the natural character of the area while using it for low-impact educational purposes. Practical wilderness education requires real natural environments to be effective.

Project Timeline

This timeline outlines the key steps taken throughout the application process.

The application process followed standard procedures, including land availability confirmation, submission, and ongoing communication with relevant stakeholders.

Key Project Facts

A quick overview of the main features of the project.

Group size
Most programs are limited to 8 participants or fewer. The largest free programs allow up to 10 participants.
Access
Primary access is planned by water to reduce pressure on trails and parking.
Extensive Use Area
No structures or land disturbance are proposed in the 66.84-hectare Extensive Use Area.

Intensive Use Site
Limited and phased development is proposed within the 4.87-hectare Intensive Use Site.
Infrastructure
Structures are planned using natural materials and traditional wood and log construction methods.
Utilities
Off-grid energy through solar panels, rainwater collection, and no septic systems proposed.

Environmental Responsibility

Environmental protection is a core principle of this project.

No use of living trees or plants during training
Minimal tree removal, only where necessary for safety and essential structures
Waste is packed out and managed responsibly
No use of pesticides or harmful chemicals
Respect for wildlife habitats and avoidance of sensitive areas
Use of natural openings where possible to minimize disturbance
Rotational use of land to prevent overuse

A rotational approach is used to ensure that no single area is overused. Training activities are moved between locations over time, allowing vegetation, soil, and natural systems to recover.

Participants are trained to understand how their actions affect the environment and how to avoid cumulative impact. This includes responsible travel, proper waste management, and safe fire practices.

The goal is not only to minimize impact during training, but to ensure that participants carry these practices into all future outdoor activities.

Key Principle:

Protecting nature through education by teaching people how to use it responsibly, not avoid it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to the most common questions and concerns.

Why was this particular Crown land parcel selected?

This location was identified after an extended search for available Crown land suitable for small-scale outdoor education. Very few areas meet the necessary criteria.
This site offers a rare combination of:
• Proximity to Victoria and the surrounding communities, making it accessible for participants
• A natural wilderness environment suitable for realistic training scenarios
• Sufficient size to allow rotational use and avoid overuse of any single area
• Marine shoreline access, which is essential for water safety and survival training
• The ability to operate without road access, reducing pressure on public infrastructure
The location allows for practical, real-world training in navigation, environmental awareness, and safe outdoor practices, while maintaining a low-impact footprint.
At the same time, the project is designed to respect the surrounding environment and existing public use, while demonstrating that outdoor education can be delivered responsibly without harming nature.

Will this project block access to the park or trails?

Existing trails that pass through or near the Intensive Use Area will remain open and accessible. The project is designed to demonstrate that a small-scale outdoor education facility can be organized without harming nature and can contribute to protecting it through education and responsible use.

Is this a large development?

No. This is a small-scale educational project with limited structures and small participant groups. The largest group size for free programs is limited to 10 participants, while most programs are limited to 8 participants or fewer.

Will nature be damaged?

No. The project is designed to minimize environmental impact through small group sizes, low-impact practices, and a rotational approach to land use.
A key focus is educating outdoor enthusiasts—especially those with limited experience—on how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to wildfires or search and rescue (SAR) incidents. Participants are trained to interact with nature responsibly and without causing damage.

Will there be increased traffic or pressure on local infrastructure?

No. Access is primarily planned by water, which significantly reduces pressure on local parking areas, roads, and trail networks. This approach helps minimize interaction with existing park infrastructure and visitor traffic.

Is the Extensive Use Area being developed?

No. The Extensive Use Area will not include any construction or land modification. It is designated strictly for low-impact, guided educational activities.
Under an Extensive Use licence, activities such as open fires, permanent camping, cutting trees, or land clearing are not permitted by law.

Will trees be cut or the forest cleared?

Tree removal will be minimal and limited only where necessary for safety or essential structures. The project is designed to work within natural openings wherever possible.
If required approvals for timber cutting are not granted, the project can proceed without harvesting timber by using materials brought in and carefully placed to avoid disturbance.

How is wildfire risk managed?

Wildfire risk reduction is a core part of the program. Participants are trained in safe fire practices, risk assessment, and fire prevention.
Activities are conducted in accordance with regulations, and in areas where fire use is not permitted, it is not used.

Why is this type of training important?

Outdoor recreation is increasing, and many people enter natural areas without proper training or experience. This can lead to preventable search and rescue (SAR) incidents, environmental damage, and wildfire risk.
This project focuses on educating people to prevent those outcomes by teaching practical, responsible outdoor skills.

Will hunting take place as part of this project?

No. Hunting is not part of the programs offered at this location. The focus of the project is on outdoor education, safety, and environmental responsibility. No hunting activities are proposed as part of this project.

Why is there mention of an animal processing area?

The animal processing area is intended for educational demonstration purposes only. It is used to teach participants how to handle food safely and respectfully in outdoor environments.
It is not intended for hunting activities on-site.

Will wildlife be affected by this project?

The project is designed to minimize disturbance to wildlife. Activities are small-scale, supervised, and follow low-impact practices.
Participants are taught to respect wildlife, avoid sensitive habitats, and understand how their actions can affect natural ecosystems.

What will be locked on the site?

No structures or areas within the Extensive Use Area will be locked or restricted.
Some small structures within the Intensive Use Site may be secured when not in use, such as storage areas, equipment, or the dock connection, for safety and security reasons.
This does not restrict public access to the land, which remains Crown land and open for public use.

About ONE WITH NATURE

ONE WITH NATURE is a 100% Canadian-owned outdoor education company based in Victoria, British Columbia. We specialize in wilderness survival and bushcraft training, focusing on practical skills that help people safely and responsibly interact with nature.

Our programs are designed for individuals, families, and organizations, with a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility, risk awareness, and real-world preparedness.

A key focus of our work is educating people who live in urban environments and often do not have access to land where they can legally practice outdoor skills. We believe that better education leads to safer outdoor experiences, fewer search and rescue (SAR) incidents, and reduced wildfire risk.

ONE WITH NATURE Survival and Bushcraft School

Our mission is to protect nature through education and responsible use by helping people understand how their actions impact the environment, and how to safely and respectfully interact with it. Through practical training, we aim to reduce preventable wildfires, minimize environmental damage, and decrease search and rescue (SAR) incidents.

How to Participate

Public input is part of the official review process.

If you would like to share your perspective, you can submit a comment through the provincial system.
The project includes three related applications. You can submit comments for any or all of them:

Comment – Extensive Use Area

COMMENT – Intensive Use Area

Comment – Boat Dock

You may submit comments on one or all of the applications. Each submission is considered individually as part of the review process.