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To continue the engagement process regarding forest cover and other related issues, the Chatham-Kent Natural Heritage Committee of the Whole is scheduled to meet on Monday.

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The committee’s mandate will be to deal with issues such as forest cover, greening strategies, land use review and natural heritage implementation, as well as receiving community feedback.

The virtual introductory meeting will take place at 6 p.m. and can be viewed on YourTV CK’s YouTube channel.

A president and a vice-president will also be elected on Monday.

“To support the natural heritage committee as a whole, a series of meetings are scheduled to explore alternatives to strategically align the Chatham-Kent natural heritage planning framework,” said a staff report released Thursday.

“This framework can include the vision, goals and objectives, policies, regulations and implementation strategies of the community.

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority will participate in the process. The report stressed that the engagement of First Nations must also be considered in recognizing diverse histories, priorities and cultural values.

“In general, the engagement should have a specific objective to respect self-determination priorities, traditions and culture, treaty rights, reconciliation and improved socio-economic outcomes,” the report adds.

The Committee of the Whole will also consider a meeting framework and civic engagement, as outlined in the staff report.

Future meetings are planned for the rest of the year and early next year. Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed to wrap up the work of the committee, including hearing final public debates and making final recommendations to Council on any matter considered by the committee.