Carrying Highlands Land Stewardship Forward
The Highlands region is a precious place.
One that stands today because of generations of families who fought to keep its forests intact and undeveloped. Cedar Song was born from a commitment to continue that legacy.
As Highlands residents, our vision is to create a place where today's youth can be educated in the history and values of this land; where they can return year after year to their favourite climbing trees, tend a garden, build meaningful relationships with place, and learn what it truly means to care for this region.
Through small-scale educational and wellness programming, Cedar Song participants will actively contribute to rural land conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable farming with native plants and food forests.
What We Will Teach
Cedar Song programming will primarily be delivered through Thriving Roots Wilderness School, where participants learn time-honoured skills in a safe, supervised outdoor environment:
Plant and animal identification
Wild foraging and edible plants
Hand crafting and traditional skills
Animal tracking and bird language
Fire safety and responsible fire tending
Self-awareness, culture building, and mindfulness
Learn more about Thriving Roots curriculum at www.thrivingroots.org
A Place for W̱SÁNEĆ Cultural Practices & Refuge
We respectfully uphold the ẂSÁNEĆ community and their countless generations of cultural stewardship and belonging in these hills. Cedar Song is held as a welcoming place for local Indigenous youth and knowledge keepers to visit and practice their own traditional life ways and culture.
We are committed to ensuring this land continues to be experienced as a place of belonging where local indigenous community members can experience the healing qualities of birdsong, a rushing creek, and a warm campfire, and hold their own ceremonial practices with ease.
"Since beginning my relationship with Thriving Roots in 2019 I have seen how their work with children teaches values and practices that are very important to my people. These teachings are fundamental. They are not only helpful to the land, but to the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health of the children who grow up with them." — Abraham Pelkey, Chief of the Tsawout First Nation
Temporary Use Permit - Application in progress
Rather than proceeding with a rezoning application, we will be applying to the District of Highlands for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for this property. A TUP is time-limited (3 years and renewable), giving the community a clear opportunity to evaluate our operations before any longer-term decisions are made. It establishes defined conditions that address neighbourhood concerns, and allows us to demonstrate responsible operation.
More info about the TUP can be found in our FAQ.
The full application is still in progress and will be submitted to the Highlands District in Spring 2026. It will be posted here for easy access when it is ready. In the meantime, please read more on our website or contact us. We’d love to hear from you.
