Listen Live

Environmental groups want BC to refocus measures to protect old-growth forests

Two environmental groups are calling for better protection of old-growth forests from the BC Government. 

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) and Endangered Ecosystems Alliance (EEA) are calling on the province to refocus their measures, implement their draft biodiversity, and Ecosystem Health Framework to ensure a transition to a sustainable forest industry. 

Executive Director of EEA Ken Wu said there is two directions the government can go in response to tariff threats from the U.S. 

“Either take the easy but foolish route by falling back on the destructive status quo of old-growth logging and raw low exports, or instead take the opportunity to invest in a modernized, sustainable, value-added, second-growth forest industry that is the future of forestry in BC, while protecting the last old-growth forests.” 

AFA and EEA have released a list of things they want the provincial government to do: 

  • Establish a BC Protected Areas Strategy 
  • Develop Ecosystem-Based Protection Targets 
  • Provide solutions space funding to First Nations 
  • Ensure a transition to sustainable logging of second-growth forests 
  • Closing logging loopholes by ending logging in forest reserves 
  • Expand a smart forest industry by incentivizing value-added second-growth manufacturing 
  • Create a BC Conservation Economy Strategy to support eco-tourism 

The groups are also issuing a warning which commercial logging must not be permitted in protected areas under the guise of wildfire risk reduction. 

AFA Campaign Director TJ Watt said the BC Government should be thanked for its commitment to protect 30 per cent by 2030, but it still comes up short on both conservation policies and sustainable job creation. 

“We urge the province to move forward, not backward, to build a diversified, resilient economy in B.C. while undertaking the vital and overdue protection of endangered ecosystems.” 

Continue Reading

cfcp Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

NIC launching online exhibit to celebrate 50-year anniversary

North Island College (NIC) is looking ahead at its future by celebrating its past. 

Vancouver Island communities recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Communities across Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast recognized the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through ceremonies, gatherings, community walks and other events Tuesday.

B.C. jobs minister says Trump’s film tariff threat too early to call

British Columbia’s Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon said it’s too early to tell if Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat against the film industry is legitimate. 

Eby welcomes federal decision to label Bishnoi gang as terrorists

Premier David Eby said listing the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist group is “the right move.”

Oceanside RCMP investigating fatal collision on Highway 4

Oceanside RCMP are investigating a vehicle collision Saturday which left one person dead and another with serious injuries.
- Advertisement -