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What are “Forest Productivity Distinctions”?

Feb 9 2024/in Educational, Take Action

“Forest Productivity Distinctions” and “Ecosystem-based Targets” are two phrases you’ve heard us use a lot, but what do they mean? And, why are they important regarding the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework (BEHF) and the greater conservation of BC’s natural spaces as a whole? Read on to learn more!

Ecosystem-based protection targets ensure the full diversity of ecosystems in BC receive the protection they need, rather than concentrating protection in certain ecosystems and largely excluding others.

“Forest Productivity” refers to the capacity of the forest to produce large trees, with the endangered, higher productivity forests generally featuring the giant ancient trees that BC is famous for.

High-productivity forests, as well as lower elevation forests, grasslands and wetlands in general, have the greatest concentrations of biodiversity, species at risk, salmon and fish-bearing streams, and areas of greatest cultural value to First Nations in the province. However, these same ecosystems have been disproportionately excluded from protection at the behest of industry.

Ecosystem-based targets used in conjunction with forest productivity distinctions ensure the ongoing expansion of protected areas in BC prioritizes the endangered, big-tree forests, rather than focusing protection on the boggy, subalpine, and tundra ecosystems of the province. The latter of which has been the status quo for decades.

The proposed BEHF is a first-rate opportunity to ensure these high-productivity forests get the protection they need and deserve.

If you haven’t yet, please send an instant message to political decision-makers (while the January 31st deadline to make a technical submission to the bureaucrats has passed, the elected BC Cabinet — the Premier and Ministers — ultimately decides the final version) to support strong ecosystem-based targets with forest productivity distinctions.

Flip through these slides to get a break-down of forest productivity distinctions and why they’re so important! And, visit our Instagram for more educational resources!

All About the Biodiversity & Ecosystem Health Framework

Feb 8 2024/in Educational, Take Action

BC’s proposed Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework (BEHF) is the greatest chance in BC’s history to direct the expansion of its protected areas system in the right direction.

If done right, the new biodiversity framework could usher in a major paradigm shift that safeguards the most endangered ecosystems in BC rather than primarily protecting areas with low timber value and which are less coveted by industry. These endangered ecosystems include “high productivity” old-growth forests with classic forest giants, such as the ones you see in all our photos, along with diverse valley bottom and low-elevation ecosystems.

The current draft has many promising components that should be retained, such as creating a Provincial Biodiversity Officer, but is still missing key pieces to give it the teeth it needs to be transformational.

“Ecosystem-based protection targets” devised by science and informed by Traditional Ecological Knowledge committees that incorporate all ecological communities and forest productivity distinctions (distinguishing between sites that tend to grow small vs large trees) are needed to guide the expansion of the protected areas system and the expenditure of conservation funding in BC.

The standard and permanency of new protected areas must also be upheld while enforcing accountability and transparency of the framework through legally binding milestones, objectives, and timelines.

Please join us in calling on the BC government to ensure this new framework results in the protection of old-growth forests and other threatened ecosystems across BC! Send an instant message to decision-makers using our newly updated Take-Action Tool here.

And read through these slides to learn more about this potentially history-making framework!

A man in a yellow jacket stands beside a massive Douglas-fir tree in an ancient Douglas-fir grove.

Thank You to Our Business Supporters!

Feb 2 2024/in Thank You

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the following businesses for kindly supporting the old-growth campaign:

Pacifica Nurseries for their generous contribution and supportive words about why they donate to old-growth forests in BC:

“I love to contribute to the AFA because the forests in BC are such a special place and are not something that can be replaced. BC logging is such a huge business though and cannot just stop, so it’s nice that you also support sustainable second-growth logging. I also love that you involve First Nations as they deserve to be involved in the future of this land. Many thanks.”

—Nicole Widdifield, Horticulture Manager, Pacifica Nurseries

Spring Activator for their kind contribution and words of support:

“Protecting old-growth forests is a cause close to many of our hearts on the Spring team and in our community. We look forward to continuing to support your work through our 1% for the Planet commitment. Thank you for all you do.”

—Caroline von Hirschberg, Spring Co-CEO

Chris Sterry, who contributed more than half of the proceeds from his landscape paintings and urban sketches to AFA and other charities.

And Camp Wolf Willow, for their generous monthly gifts to AFA.

Your support makes our important work possible and we’re extremely grateful!