One With Nature

With summer coming, I’ve been thinking more about wildfire risk and how we manage it — especially in places like East Sooke Regional Park.

In 2025, parts of Nova Scotia introduced strict measures during high-risk periods, including closing forests, blocking trailheads, and issuing significant fines (up to $25,000) for violations.

This raises a broader question:

- Should access to areas like East Sooke Park be restricted during fire ban season to reduce wildfire risk?

Or:

- Is there a better way to prevent human-caused wildfires?

From what I understand, many wildfire incidents are linked to human activity — often unintentional.

So I’m curious what people here think:

• Are access restrictions an effective solution?
• Would enforcement realistically work?
• What alternatives could help reduce wildfire risk while still allowing people to access nature?

Interested to hear different perspectives.

I’ve been reading the discussions about this project, crown land application— and I understand why people feel strongly about it.

This area matters to many of you.
It matters to me as well.

What I’m seeing is not a difference in values, but a difference in approach.

We all want the same thing:
👉 to protect nature

Some believe that the best way to do that is by restricting access.

My approach is different — I believe that education is one of the most effective ways to protect nature, by helping people avoid the kinds of mistakes that lead to environmental damage, wildfires, and search and rescue incidents.

At the same time, I can see that there is a lot of confusion about what this project actually is.

To make things clear and transparent, I’ve created a page with full details, including:
• what the project is
• what it is NOT
• how public access works
• environmental approach
• full timeline of the application
• a Q&A section addressing the most common concerns

If you’re open to it, I encourage you to review the information directly:

👉 https://owncorp.ca/outdoor-education-project-crown-land-application/

This is not about arguing — it’s about making sure people have access to accurate information before forming an opinion.

If you have specific questions that are not addressed on the page, you’re welcome to send them to [email protected]. I will review them and include common questions in the Q&A section.

We’ve created a dedicated page to clearly explain our Crown land outdoor education project.

It includes:
• project overview
• timeline of the application process
• environmental approach
• answers to common questions

👉 https://owncorp.ca/outdoor-education-project-crown-land-application/

This page is intended to provide clear, structured information so people can review the details directly.

If you have specific questions that are not addressed, you’re welcome to send them to [email protected]. We will review them and include common questions in the FAQ section.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to understand the project.

To continue open communication with the community, I respectfully ask that this post be allowed.

Some members of the community have accused me of not respecting the public and of doing something wrong. I genuinely want to understand — at what point did I do something wrong?

Below is the timeline of the land search and application process.

I would appreciate honest feedback. Please let me know where, from your perspective, I made a mistake. I am open to learning and correcting anything in the future.

There is currently a lot of misinformation spreading on social media, including claims that:
• the project puts East Sooke Park at risk
• it would block access to trails or the park
• it is a large development that would harm nature

This is not accurate.

We do not harm nature — we teach people how to avoid damaging it unknowingly, and how to stay safe in the outdoors.

I believe the most effective way to protect nature is through education — especially for people who do not have access to land where they can legally learn and practice outdoor skills.

This may be difficult to understand for those who own 10–100 acres of land. What is obvious to them is completely unknown to people living in urban areas. They simply do not have space to practice.

Yet they still go into the forest — and they make mistakes.
Not because they are bad people, but because they lack knowledge and experience.

Crown land is often the only option for them — but using it legally requires proper authorization.

Please take a moment to review the timeline, my efforts, and the limited options I had while trying to follow my goal: protecting nature through education.

On the radio, Al, Director of CRD, said:
“The gentleman was misguided.”

I would like to understand — misguided by whom?

Please review the timeline. I followed all instructions and recommendations. CRD was informed about our intention to apply before the application was submitted. The Ministry of Forests provided guidance throughout the entire process.

So I ask again — who misguided me, and at what point did that happen?

I am genuinely trying to understand.

How often do you practice your skills?

During our programs, I have found that the majority of people believe they can make a fire and build a shelter, but the reality is very different.

What creates the OPTIMISM BIAS in our days?

It was a pleasure to work with these two clients from Germany.
They spent almost two weeks deep in the wilderness north of Vancouver Island — minimal gear, maximum passion.

Their dedication to developing real wilderness survival and bushcraft skills was impressive.
They worked hard, stayed focused, and pushed their limits every day.

At ONE WITH NATURE, we believe it’s essential to teach how to enjoy the wilderness without harming plants or wildlife. Respect for nature is at the core of everything we do.

Great job — you earned it.
🌲🔥🪓

— ONE WITH NATURE Wilderness Survival School

Hunting: The Core of True Wilderness Self-Reliance

Hunting is not just about harvesting meat — it’s about understanding nature, reading the land, and mastering the art of survival. Every step in the forest teaches awareness, patience, and respect for life. When you hunt, you reconnect with the ancient instincts that kept our ancestors alive.

At ONE WITH NATURE Survival School, we believe hunting is one of the most valuable wilderness skills. It builds confidence, self-discipline, and the ability to live independently off the land — skills that define true self-reliance.

These photos are from my recent moose hunting trip — a reminder of how deeply rewarding and humbling this connection with nature can be.

I often hunt solo, and there are many reasons why I choose to do so.
If you’d like to know them, let me know in the comments — and I’ll prepare a video explaining why solo hunting has become such an important part of my life and training philosophy.