Kanaka Bar IPCA Proposal

/in /by

In August 2022, members of the Ancient Forest Alliance had the opportunity to explore some important sites that are part of the proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) put forward by the Kanaka Bar Band in the Kwoiek and Fraser Valleys near the town of Lytton, BC.

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA), Endangered Ecosystems Alliance (EEA), and Nature-Based Solutions Foundation (NBSF) – which form the Old-Growth Solutions Initiative (OGSI) – are supporting the Kanaka Bar Band’s proposal to protect 35,000 hectares of land (an area nearly twice the size of Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park), including 12,500 hectares of some of the most biodiverse old-growth ecosystems in BC, home to dozens of species-at-risk.

Of particular value is the protection of old-growth forests from the Interior Douglas-fir (IDF) zone, which is the most underrepresented ecosystem in the protected areas system in BC. In fact, this proposed IPCA includes the largest specimens of interior Douglas-fir trees known in Canada! Protecting such high-value tracts of this threatened ecosystem would make enormous strides to preserving the incredible diversity of old-growth forests in the province.

This proposal has yet to be finalized and future steps include community consultation, acquiring necessary provincial and federal funding, and finally the enactment of provincial legislation. We are excited to work on this project as it develops and to support the dedication and vision of Chief Jordan Spinks, Kanaka CEO Greg Grayson, and Lands Manager Sean O’Rourke, as well as other members of the Kanaka Bar Band on this fantastic initiative that conjoins indigenous land stewardship and the protection of endangered old-growth forests.

Learn more here: https://16.52.162.165/band-in-b-c-s-fraser-canyon-proposes-to-protect-manage-350-sq-km-swath-of-land/

Nahwitti Lake Old-Growth Trail

/in /by

On the shores of Nahwitti Lake between the towns of Holberg and Port Hardy in Tlatlasikwala & Quatsino Territory stands one of the loveliest little old-growth trails on Vancouver Island. This gentle path winds through a lush old-growth forest and features massive Sitka spruce trees that soar majestically from enchanting fields of ferns before ending at the shores of the lake. In a landscape that’s been almost entirely cleared of its ancient giants, it provides a stunning glimpse into the grand forests that once grew here.

This big tree trail could also be a major ecotourism draw – similar to Avatar Grove in Port Renfrew – and should be added to the list of must-see north island wilderness destinations such as San Josef Bay and the North Coast Trail.

To visit the trees, find the recreation site trailhead in a small parking area just off Holberg Rd on the east end of Nahwitti Lake (50.697842, -127.812370). Be sure to support the local business community as well, helping them benefit from big tree tourism.

Carnivorous Sundews

/in /by

Rather than make its food through photosynthesis, carnivorous sundews, like the ones seen here, supplement their diet by feeding on insects! The tiny tentacles have a sticky dew or “mucilage” on them to help trap and digest their prey for a hearty meal.

Known by the Haida First Nation as “many hearts,” the sundew is a dynamic plant revered for its medicinal properties and as a good luck charm for fishing. The nitrogen-starved wetlands they thrive in, take thousands of years to develop and are home to a variety of beautiful life forms, including mosses, herbaceous plants, shrubs, trees, and fungi, not to mention these brightly coloured creatures!

These ‘botanical oddballs’ can be found in hot, humid areas such as Georgia and Florida in the US, but the majority are found in Australia and South Africa. In BC, they can be found in the bog forests along the coast, such as the Shorepine Bog Trail near Tofino – look very close at the ground next time you’re walking there!