Bowen Island Municipality

Bowen Island has a special status in the Islands Trust Area as the only island municipality. It is represented on the Islands Trust Council by two municipal trustees who are also municipal councillors.

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The Islands Trust and Bowen Island Municipality enjoy a unique and positive relationship in which we share common goals for the preservation and protection of our unique island ecosystems and habitats for years to come.

Bowen Island Planning

When adopting a bylaw or issuing a permit or license, the Bowen Island Municipal Council must have regard for the preserve and protect Object (mandate) of the Islands Trust.

Bowen Island Municipality submits its Official Community Plan (OCP) bylaws to the Islands Trust Executive Committee for approval.

Bowen Island Municipality also refers non-OCP bylaws that include a reference to a matter included in the Islands Trust Policy Statement.

Bowen Island Municipality also offers Bowen Island mapping layers through its own open data portal.

Official Community Plan Amendment Process

Initial Staff Report

Early consultation with First Nations and stakeholders

1st Reading

Referral to Islands Trust Executive Committee (under Letter Patent)

Referral to First Nations and agencies

2nd Reading

Public Hearing*

3rd Reading

Referral to the Islands Trust Executive Committee for approval

Consideration of Adoption

* Public Hearing can occur anywhere between 1st and 3rd readings.

Land Use Bylaw Amendment Process

For bylaws that include a reference to a matter included in the Islands Trust Policy Statement:

Initial staff report to Bowen Island Municipality with draft bylaw recommendations

1st Reading

Referral to the Islands Trust Executive Committee (under Letters Patent)

Referral to First Nations and agencies

2nd Reading

Public Hearing (could be waived)*

3rd Reading

Consideration of Adoption

* Public Hearing can occur anywhere between 1st and 3rd readings.

Meetings and Events Around: Bowen

Learn about upcoming Islands Trust meetings and events as they may relate to Bowen Island Municipality.

Find out more about how you can share your views with us.

Mar 28
2023

Trust Council Special Electronic

Time: 1:00 pm
View Details
Mar 30
2023

Monitoring and restoration of rare ecosystems webinar – SAR Program 2023 Speaker Series

Time: 1:00 pm
View Details
Apr 03
2023

Trust Programs Committee Regular Meeting

Time: 10:00 am
View Details

Meet Your Trustees

Judith Gedye

Judith Gedye

Bowen Island Trustee
Sue Ellen Fast

Sue Ellen Fast

Bowen Island Trustee

Island Profile

Bowen Island is one of 13 local trust areas and island municipalities that make up the Islands Trust Area. Located in Howe Sound just a twenty-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, it includes Bowen and Hutt islands.

Mature Forest Growth

49

%

on island

Parks and Woodland

20

%

protected

Population

Bowen

4,255

Trust Area

Sensitive Ecosystems

Total area:

5,053

hectares

News Bowen Island Municipality

Find out what's happening in and around Bowen Island Municipality

Islands Trust Conservancy’s Species At Risk Program gets federal funding boost

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. –  Islands Trust Conservancy has received a three-year funding boost of $660,000 from Environment and Climate…

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In the foreground there is a yellow painted nail next to a small yellow montane violet plant with three flowers. In the background you can see a woman putting down bright pink flags to mark other threatened plants.

Read the latest edition of the Heron

Island Trust Conservancy’s most recent edition of the Heron is out now. Read it online or download it here

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Cover of newsletter showing bright blue waters off Link Island and the Swift family in a small corner photo. Also has smaller feature photos of bright purple flowers and a couple in their yard next to a large tree.

Link Island donated to Islands Trust Conservancy – highest valued land donation in Conservancy’s history

For immediate release Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Late conservationist Betty Swift has donated Link Island, a 21.45 hectare (52.5…

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Cliffs spotted with over-hanging arbutus trees overlooking the Salish Sea on a rainy spring day. In the foreground little yellow wildflowers and lichens cover the cliff face.

Islands Trust Conservancy provides $5,400 Opportunity Fund grant to support a new nature stewardship program on Thetis Island

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – The Islands Trust Conservancy has granted $5,400 to Thetis Island Nature Conservancy for a new…

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Volunteers gather in the forest during a training session for THiNC's new Nature Stewards Program.

Introducing Moss Mountain covenant – one of Salt Spring Island’s newest protected areas

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C.  –  Islands Trust Conservancy celebrates the protection of nearly 50 hectares of land (112 acres) on…

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Moss Mountain covering with old leaves and naked trees

Islands Trust Announces New Director of Planning Services

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Islands Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Stefan Cermak as the new Director…

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Headshot of Islands Trust Director of Planning Stefan Cermak

Islands Trust Conservancy gives $6,000 funding boost to support nature stewardship on Gabriola Island

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C.  – Gabriola Land and Trails Trust (GaLTT) has received a $6,000 Opportunity Fund grant from Islands…

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Nature Steward participant sign to encourage wildlife friendly gardens

Islands Trust Conservancy celebrates the protection of Woodpecker Forest on SDȺY¸ES/North Pender Island this Earth Day.

Lək̓ ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C.  –   Islands Trust Conservancy (ITC) celebrates the addition of Woodpecker Forest, a new protected area that…

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Lisa Baile and Peter Pare in Woodpecker Forest