And here is the letter the Cowichan Valley Naturalists sent to council in early April

Dear Mayor and Council,
    As population in the Cowichan region grows, wild areas and public access to nature are becoming fewer and farther from where people live.  Access to undeveloped areas is essential for the education of our children and for the spiritual and social health of our community.  Protection of large natural areas is essential for the ecological integrity of our community and for the plants and other animals with which we share it.
    We have a landscape that supports many interesting ecological areas.  Echo Heights is one such area.  Although most of this area was logged in the past, it is now well into the process of recovery and is starting to exhibit the characteristics of an Older Coastal Douglas Fir forest.  These forests have been classed by the Province as sensitive ecosystems and deserving of protection.  As a community, we should be working to preserve these natural areas for current and future generations of all life.
    On behalf of the nearly 100 members of the Cowichan Valley Naturalists’ Society, I join many citizens of North Cowichan in urging you to retain the whole 52 acres of Echo Heights as a park or natural area, for the benefit of the citizens of Chemainus, the citizens of the wider Cowichan community, and the ecological integrity of our community. 
     Thank you for your consideration of this matter.  We look forward to hearing that development plans for Echo Heights have been abandoned.  Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require additional information on the Coastal Douglas Fir Ecosystems, the ecological values associated with these ecosystems, or the benefits of designing communities with easy access to natural areas and parks.
 
Sincerely,
Eric Marshall
President