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What are Ecosystem-Based Protection Targets, and why does BC need them?

Apr 2 2025/in Announcements, Educational

View the slides to learn more & TAKE ACTION NOW by sending a message calling for these measures and more.

Historically, protected areas in BC have focused on ecosystems less coveted by industry. Meanwhile, ecosystems with greater biodiversity and productive forest land, which are highly sought after by industry, are left vulnerable to industrial extraction. It’s been a “save the small trees, log the big trees” approach.

To truly safeguard biodiversity, BC needs “Ecosystem-Based Protection Targets” for every ecosystem type—rainforests, grasslands, dry forests, wetlands, etc.—on a scale large enough to ensure their long-term health and stability.

To be effective, these targets must be fine-filtered enough (i.e., distinguish between small vs. big tree forests), legally binding, and large-scale.

Fortunately, the BC government’s draft Biodiversity & Ecosystem Health Framework provides an opportunity to see these targets implemented, but it will take much public pressure. Help us call on the BC government to use Ecosystem-Based Targets to:

1️⃣ Proactively identify and pursue the protection of most at-risk ecosystems in BC, such as the big-tree old-growth forests.
2️⃣ Work with First Nations to develop long-term conservation solutions in their territories, using BC Nature Agreement funding to support this work.

?️ Speak up! Take action today.

Why BC Needs Ecosystem-Based Targets

Thank you to these foundation donors for their generosity!

Apr 1 2025/in Thank You

Donations through foundations are a great way to contribute to Ancient Forest Alliance, as this funding allows us to continue our important work protecting the at-risk old-growth forests in BC and ensuring a transition to a sustainable, second-growth forestry industry!

Thank you to:

Lannie and Ralph Keller of the St. Louis Community Foundation
Erica Lewis and Rick Erickson, Seed Fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation
The Pass-Through Grants Fund through the Victoria Foundation
Mactaggart Third Fund

Your generosity and belief in the work we’re doing here at AFA are greatly appreciated, and we’re very grateful!

My Cowichan Valley Now: Conservationists call for BC forestry industry to be modernized

Mar 24 2025/in News Coverage

March 22, 2025
By Hussam Elghussein

My Cowichan Valley Now

Conservationists want BC’s forestry industry to be modernized amid ongoing US tariff threats.

See original article here.

On Friday, the Ancient Forest Alliance and Endangered Ecosystems Alliance called on the BC Government to not only modernize the industry, but to also protect old-growth forests.

The aim is to bring a more sustainable second-growth forest industry to respond to tariff threats, with hopes it can lead to endangered ecosystems being protected and a more diverse economy.

Executive Director of the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance Ken Wu says the government can go in two routes in response to US tariffs.

“They can either fall back on the status quo of old-growth logging and raw log 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,” said Ken Wu.

Campaign Director of the Ancient Forest Alliance TJ Watt says while they acknowledge the progress that has been made in protecting old-growth forests, they urge the province to fill the remaining policy gaps for these issues.

Both organizations recommend the province bring policies that support these changes.

“This should include financial incentives for new industry investments in value-added and engineered wood products made from second-growth wood,” said the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance.

“These incentives can include rebates derived from the log export “fees in lieu” and PST and property tax relief, as well as government support for R&D and domestic and international market development for sustainable wood products.”

Other changes they recommend include bringing a Conservation Economy Strategy to support economic opportunities, developing a Protected Areas Strategy to protect old-growth forests, and to implement a Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework.

To see all of their recommendations, click here.