In July 2003, Silva invited all twelve communities where we are working to attend a four day Community Summit in order to share their experiences with others, learn from the successes and challenges of different communities, and define ways to move forward.

Eight communities sent representatives to the Summit and shared their stories. Summit participants came from around British Columbia-Denman Island, Haida Gwaii, the Slocan Valley, Creston Community Forest, Harrop-Procter Community Forest, the Yalakom Valley, and the Robson Valley-and from Nitassinan (Labrador).

Four communities were unable to participate in the Summit. These communities are the Xaxli’p First Nation, Xeni Gwet’in First Nation, and Cortes Island in British Columbia, and the communities of north-central Saskatchewan.

After the Community Summit, Silva compiled the stories from each community in the booklet The Power of Community—Applying Ecosystem-based Conservation Planning Across Canada. Read these passionate, powerful, and inspiring stories online [provide link], download and print, or request a printed copy from silvafor@netidea.com.