B.C. government plans to further protect old growth

Posted November 2, 2022 7:40 pm.

The B.C. government announced their intention of working with First Nations to help protect old growth across the province.

Although the Ministry of Forests says that logging of old growth has declined by 42 per cent from 2015 to 2021, it adds more needs to be done to protect the environment.

It says there are still over two hectares of “ancient, rare, and priority large strands of old growth,” that the government is planning on deferring the harvest of.

“We are taking steps to fundamentally transform the way we manage our old-growth forests, lands, and resources,” Premier John Horgan explained in the release.

Additionally, it announced the government will immediately stop “advertising and selling BC Timber Sales in the affected areas.”

The ministry also highlighted its Old Growth Strategic Review which outlines steps to protect aged greenery across B.C.

It notes the new approach, “Will recognize that a shift to prioritize ecosystem health is necessary if the forests are to continue to provide essential benefits, such as clean air, clean water, carbon storage, conservation of biodiversity and timber.”

It adds a detailed map of the area has been shared with First Nations so they can give their input on how the deferral would impact their respective territories.

“We’re building a new vision for forest care to better share all the benefits of our forests together, for generations and generations to come,” Katrine Conroy, with the Ministry of Forests said.

With 3.5 million hectares of old growth forests that are already off-limits, the statement notes the new 2.6 million hectares will be added to the list.

As a result of their plan to partnership with First Nations, the province expects to protect more important old growth, support investments, and jobs.

However, it’s not a done-deal, as the statement adds that the province is requesting the First Nations to “indicate within the next 30 days whether or not they support the deferrals.”

But Garry Merkel, co-author of the Old Growth Strategic Review explains that the partnership is a key aspect of moving forward.

“A commitment to partnership with First Nations and integrating their perspectives on land is fundamental to facilitating the required paradigm shift in forest management that includes old growth as a key component of ecosystem health,” said Merkel.