Five years have passed since the British Columbia (B.C.) government committed to revamping the logging of old-growth trees in the province, a process initially slated for completion in three years. However, conservationists argue that the province’s slow progress is leading to avoidable biodiversity depletion.
In early September 2020, the provincial government published a review on the logging of old, massive trees in B.C. The independent report, titled “A New Future for Old Forests,” aimed to instigate a significant change in managing one of the province’s key natural assets.
Tobyn Neame, a Wilderness Committee campaigner, emphasized that the issue goes beyond trees, impacting climate, community safety, Indigenous rights, and the future of B.C.’s forests. Conservationists stress that the province has not taken decisive action to fulfill the 14 recommendations outlined in the report, which resulted from B.C.’s Old Growth Strategic Review process.
The report, spanning 72 pages, proposed deferring logging of old, giant trees in high-risk biodiversity areas and establishing a framework for policy adjustments to facilitate industry and First Nations’ transition to second-growth logging or alternative economic endeavors.
Despite the report’s adoption by the government, conservation groups consistently rate the province’s progress poorly each year. TJ Watt of the Ancient Forest Alliance highlighted the ongoing felling of ancient trees, underscoring the urgency for action.
Since the release of the Old Growth Strategic Review, protests against old-growth logging have intensified. Notably, the blockade at Fairy Creek in southwestern Vancouver Island led to over 1,100 arrests, marking a significant civil disobedience event in Canadian history.
Another blockade opposes old-growth logging in the Walbran Valley near Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island, preventing logging activities on Pacheedaht territory. The Huu-ay-aht First Nations co-owned firm, Tsawak-qin Forestry Inc., faced challenges due to the blockade.
The B.C. government claims to have deferred logging across more than two million hectares since November 2021 and secured $1 billion in federal-provincial conservation funding. Efforts are underway to transition to value-added, second-growth forestry and collaborate with First Nations to promote stewardship initiatives.
Approximately 11.1 million hectares of old-growth forest exist in B.C., constituting about 20% of publicly managed forest areas. Most old-growth forests, approximately nine million hectares, are protected or deemed uneconomical for harvesting.
To gather public input on the issue, the Provincial Forest Advisory Council launched a public-facing website in early September. The council aims to develop recommendations for a sustainable forestry system that benefits communities, the economy, and the environment.
Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar stated that the government is working with First Nations to manage B.C.’s lands in a reconciliatory manner while balancing ecological conservation and economic growth. Conservationists urge immediate action to safeguard remaining old-growth forests at risk, emphasizing the need to fulfill promises from the Old Growth Strategic Review to prevent further depletion.