Nature Protection: Where Do BC’s Major Political Parties Stand?

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As we approach the BC election on Saturday, October 19th, 2024, here’s where BC’s major political parties stand on protecting nature. Safeguarding nature is vital for our health and well-being (even breathing in the air in nature is shown by science to boost our immune systems through plant compounds known as “phytoncides”), for the economy (protected areas attract and support a large diversity of industries and skilled labour to surrounding communities), for the climate, and for the diversity of life on Earth.

Visit Elections.bc.ca to find out where to vote and what you need for ID.

Watch and share this BC Election video!

Endangered Ecosystems Alliance Executive Director and AFA co-founder Ken Wu explains where each of BC’s major political parties stands on old-growth and nature protection.

🔵 The BC Conservative Party

The BC Conservatives take an extremist, anti-nature protection position.

1. They say they would “absolutely axe” BC’s goal to protect 30% of the province’s land area by 2030.

2. They would guarantee that all unprotected, productive forest lands in BC (22 million hectares) available for logging will be “managed to achieve supply chain stability in BC’s forestry sector”. That is, they will ensure that the forests at the centre of the conservation controversies, with the largest unprotected trees and richest biodiversity, will be turned into “guaranteed logging zones” that will obstruct new, fully protected areas.

3. Logging will continue even in areas prioritized for biodiversity conservation, where “sourcing forest products will be a secondary value”, ie. They will have a “log everywhere” policy.

4. They spread false and grossly misleading information and PR spin about the conservation and geographic extent of forests in BC — such as 30% protection would result in “30% less food production” (false: farming takes place on private lands, not on public lands where the protected areas expansion overwhelmingly occurs) and “two-thirds of BC’s forested landscape will remain in its original forested state” (deceptively failing to mention those ecosystems are mainly subalpine, rocky and muskeg landscapes with small and stunted trees of low to no timber value).

🟠 The BC NDP Party

The BC NDP is taking a strong, pro-protected areas stance and has moved protected areas policies forward on a historically unprecedented scale. However, several key policies are still missing.

1. They have committed to essentially double the protected areas system in BC over the next six years, from about 16% of the province now to 30% by 2030.

2. They have allocated and secured over $1 billion in federal-provincial funding to help make this happen, including for private land acquisition, conservation financing for First Nations, and resource licensee compensation.

3. They have established several hundred thousand hectares of new protected areas, including 76,000 hectares in Clayoquot Sound, 200,000 hectares at Klinze-sa/Twin Sisters, and 58,000 hectares at the Incomappleux Valley.

4. They are in discussion with dozens of First Nations about potential Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) spanning millions of hectares, including in productive old-growth forests and endangered grasslands.

5. They have thus far failed to implement ecosystem-based targets, that is, protection targets based on science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge for each ecosystem — the ‘GPS for new protected areas’ that would ensure that all ecosystems are adequately protected. This is the most important game-changer left to ensure the protection of endangered ecosystems. The BC NDP Party have stated that they will develop “science-based protection” policies and that this may occur via the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework.

6. They have thus far failed to close conservation loopholes in designations like Wildlife Habitat Areas where logging can still occur and Old-Growth Management Areas where boundaries can be readily moved around under timber industry pressure.

🟢 The BC Green Party

The BC Greens take a strong, pro-protected areas stance, lacking some specificity.

1. They support protecting 30% by 2030 of BC’s land area, including all old-growth forests, by working with Indigenous communities.

2. They advocate long-term, stable funding for nature-based solutions for environmental protection.

3. They believe in prioritizing ecosystem health, which includes appointing a Chief Ecologist as a counterbalance to the Chief Forester, although do not mention ecosystem-based targets for protection and conservation, which is the actual key to ecosystem health.

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Authorized by Ancient Forest Alliance, registered sponsor under the Election Act, 250-896-4007.

What are “Forest Productivity Distinctions”?

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“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

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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!

Biodiversity And Ecosystem Health Framework – Public Input Guide

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The BC government is currently accepting public input on its draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework. The following info will help you write your personalized submission. Submissions are due by January 31st, 2024.

Send your submission in your own words to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (Ministry of WLRS): biodiversity.ecosystemhealth@gov.bc.ca

Be sure to include your first and last name, home address, email, and any organization affiliation you are submitting on behalf of.

Key information

The BC government recently released a draft policy, the “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework”. If done well, it could place ecosystem integrity first to guide all land-use, forestry, and conservation policies to ensure an ecological “paradigm shift” – as called for by BC’s appointed Old-Growth Strategic Review panel’s recommendations in 2021.

To be finalized in the spring, it could result in vastly increasing the protection of BC’s most endangered ecosystems – those most impacted by industry and least included in the protected areas system, such as productive old-growth forests and lower elevation, valley bottom forests, grasslands, wetlands, and other at-risk ecosystems.

That is, a strong Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework (BEHF) would up-end the status quo in conservation policy in BC that has always sought to minimize the impacts of conservation policies on resource extraction industries (in particular, to minimize the impacts of protected areas on the available timber supply for logging) and for the first time could place ecological integrity first. In turn, this will exert pressure on BC industries to operate with greater efficiency and to increase their processing operations within the province, such as fostering a modernized, value-added, second-growth forest industry.

While BC has adopted the national target to protect 30% of the land area in the province by 2030, there are currently no specific targets to ensure the protection of all of the diverse ecosystems in BC. Without legally binding “ecosystem-based targets”, protected areas will continue to emphasize the protection of ecosystems with the lowest value for logging – typically alpine, subalpine, and far northern ecosystems with low to no timber values (i.e. no trees or small trees in cold climates) – and minimize protection for the most endangered and least protected ecosystems, typically at lower elevations in southern BC where most biodiversity, species at risk, and endangered ecosystems are located, and which are most coveted for logging, development, and human settlement.

Please consider the following points to guide your written input:

We need the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework (BEHF) to result in policies and legislation that:

  • Ensures ecosystem-based protection targets (ie. protected areas targets for all ecosystems) devised by science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge committees. These targets must not only be “aspirational” but legally binding. The province’s proposal to appoint a Chief Biodiversity Officer would be a major step in the right direction, especially if tasked to oversee such a scientific process.
  • Ecosystem-based targets must represent the full diversity of ecosystems and ensure their long-term persistence. That is, ecosystem-based targets must be:
    • Sufficiently “fine filter” to include all ecological communities (site series) and, just as importantly, to include forest productivity distinctions (sites that tend to grow small trees vs. medium vs. large trees). Forest productivity distinctions are vital and are the greatest glaring gap in BC’s conservation and protected areas policies – and not by accident due to the dominant paradigm that seeks to minimize protection of the high and medium-productivity forests with the largest trees to benefit the timber industry.
    • Sufficiently stringent to ensure the long-term persistence of all ecosystems by employing the latest conservation biology science to ensure a low risk to each ecosystem of losing their biodiversity and ecological integrity over time.
  • Ensures that ecosystem-based targets must guide both the expansion of the protected areas system (i.e. it must guide a much-needed “BC Protected Areas Strategy”, including the expenditure of the BC Nature Agreement and Conservation Financing funds), and guide the expansion of the conservation reserve network like Old-Growth Management Areas (OGMAs) and Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHAs).
  • Upholds protected areas integrity, that is, ensures strong protection standards and the permanency of protected areas moving forward.
  • Loopholes must be closed in conservation reserves such as Old-Growth Management Areas (OGMAs) which can be moved around under timber industry lobby pressure (i.e. to log the big trees and swap them for sites with smaller trees instead) and in Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHAs) which in many cases allow logging to continue (for example, the iconic Big Lonely Doug, Canada’s second-largest Douglas-fir, stands in an old-growth clearcut that is within a WHA). Any forthcoming, new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) designation must include minimum standards that forbid commercial logging (as opposed to cutting of individual trees by First Nations for cultural purposes, such as monumental cedar for community use such as dugout canoes, longhouses, and totem poles), mining or oil and gas development within them.
  • Emphasizes the establishment of provincial conservancies and other strong, legislated protected area designations, rather than primarily relying on conservation reserves that are designated via regulations (ie. not through a vote in the provincial legislature) that are more tenuous and filled with loopholes that continue to allow resource extraction or boundary shifts.
  • That ensures protection targets are legally binding, with accountability and transparency on the progress towards meeting overall and ecosystem-based protection targets. Independent advisory committees of ecologists and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Holders should develop the overall ecosystem-target methodology, followed by specific targets for each ecosystem. Policy implementation committees of policy and legal experts including First Nations should develop implementation plans on how the province can reach those targets. Independent audits of how well the government meets these targets must occur and be publicly reported, and the province must develop plans to remedy any shortfalls.
  • If done well, the resulting legislation and policies of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework (BEHF) would make BC a global leader in conservation – or it could be a squandered opportunity.

Send your submission in your own words to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (Ministry of WLRS) by January, 31st, 2024: biodiversity.ecosystemhealth@gov.bc.ca

Additional Resources:

See the AFA and EEA’s media release in response to the draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework.

A lightened photo of a snowy old-growth forest with the words "Giving Tuesday" overlaid.

Support ancient forests this Giving Tuesday!

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Year after year, we’re so grateful to our community of supporters who choose to donate to the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA). Giving Tuesday (a global day where people give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity) is just a week away on November 28th. Consider supporting old-growth forest protection as part of our Giving Tuesday campaign, running from Tuesday, November 21 until Friday, December 1, 2023!

Will you help us reach our goal of $20,000?

Yes! I’ll donate!

Because of YOUR support, we’ve seen more significant shifts over the past couple of months than we’ve seen in years toward the protection of old-growth forests in BC. Many of our asks have been answered and much of the funding we’ve been calling for has arrived!

More than $1 billion in provincial-federal funding has been allocated to help achieve BC’s 30% by 2030 nature protection, conservation, and restoration goals with the launch of the BC Nature Agreement. Securing large-scale conservation financing has been a central focus of our organization for many years now and we’re thrilled to see this arrive! Following on its heels, the BC government released its draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework that, if done right, could ensure a major paradigm shift to safeguard the most endangered and least protected ecosystems, such as big-treed old-growth forests. Together, these have the potential to protect much of the incredible ancient forests we’ve been fighting for!

This huge progress has been made possible by people like you who’ve spoken up and supported our campaign efforts over the years, so THANK YOU!

With Giving Tuesday coming up in just one week on November 28th, here are two ways you can support AFA this year.

1. Give a monthly or one-time donation to the Ancient Forest Alliance

As a small charitable organization, our work is driven by donations from individuals like you. By making a monthly or one-time donation, you’ll help us carry out critical work including supporting First Nations partners in developing Indigenous Protected Area proposals that protect old-growth, exploring and documenting endangered forests, and building and strengthening relationships with non-traditional allies to create a broad-based movement of support for ancient forest protection. We acknowledge times are challenging for many right now, so any amount helps. Plus, all donations are now tax-deductible!

Give to ancient forests here!

2. Join us for our Year-End Celebration & Fundraiser!

This year we’ll be celebrating our successes on Giving Tuesday itself! We’d love to see you at Victoria Event Centre on Tuesday, November 28th from 6–9 pm for a fun-filled evening to celebrate a monumental year for the old-growth campaign.

This is a night for our supporters to get to know the AFA team, connect with other supporters, donors, and volunteers, and enjoy a presentation from AFA campaigner and photographer TJ Watt and researcher Ian Thomas.

There will be a silent auction with loads of fabulous items from local businesses such as Robinson’s Outdoors, Botanical Bliss, Patagonia, ecologyst, The Papery, Bolen Books, Barbara Brown Art, Seaflora Skincare, Jordan Fritz Art, and more. There will also be appies and refreshments, a cash bar, and AFA merchandise for sale, so don’t miss out! All funds raised go toward protecting the endangered old-growth forests in BC and ensuring a sustainable second-growth forest industry.

Thank you for spreading your generosity to ancient forests this Giving Tuesday. Together, we can give back to the ancient forests that give so much to us.

Old-growth logging in 2017 - Edinburgh Mt

ACTION ALERT: Tell your MLA to stand up for old-growth protection and sustainable forestry jobs!

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Write, phone, and/or meet with your provincial Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and ask them to support ancient forest protection and sustainable, second-growth forestry.

BC is home to some of the world’s finest remaining old-growth temperate rainforests, where trees growing as wide as a living room and living to be more than a thousand years old are vital pillars in supporting endangered species, First Nations cultures, the climate, clean water, wild salmon, tourism, and more.

After more than a century of logging, however, well over 90% of the most productive, “big-tree” old-growth forests in BC have been cut and much of what remains is still under threat. Currently, only about 15% of the province is safeguarded in legislated protected areas, and endangered old-growth forests continue to be logged on an industrial scale.

Thankfully, after years of enormous pressure from the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) and our thousands of supporters, the province, under the leadership of Premier David Eby, has now taken major steps to support the protection of old-growth forests.

These steps include committing to doubling protected areas in BC to 30% by 2030, launching a $300 million conservation financing mechanism to support the creation of new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, and announcing the tripartite BC Nature Agreement which will provide over $1 billion toward protecting 30% of the land base in BC by 2030. This also includes a $100 million BC Old-Growth Fund (set to grow to $164 million with matching funding from the province) specifically to protect the grandest old-growth temperate rainforests in BC!

On the heels of these major funding announcements, the province also released a draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework (BEHF) to guide all new protection, conservation, and land-use activities.

These incredible steps did not happen by accident. Tens of thousands of AFA supporters have sent messages to BC government ministers and politicians demanding action. British Columbians from diverse segments of society, including the BC Chamber of Commerce, the Union of BC Municipalities, and the Public and Private Workers of Canada union, have all called on the provincial government to increase the protection of the remaining old-growth forests in BC. We have seen enormous progress, but more needs to be done! There are still major policy and funding gaps that must be addressed to ensure the protection of the most endangered old-growth forests and other ecosystems in BC.

The recent influx of funding provides the resources necessary to preserve old growth but now those funds must be geared toward protecting the most threatened and biodiverse ecosystems. It is still entirely possible, and without dedicated work probable, that these new commitments and funds will mainly support protection in low productivity areas of rock, ice, and small trees, rather than in the productive valley-bottom ecosystem where the giant trees grow. Now we need to push hard for the complete, permanent protection of our threatened old-growth forests while this window of opportunity is open.

If you live in British Columbia, please contact your own Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), the elected provincial politician who is supposed to represent YOU. It’s imperative that as your representative, they make it a top priority to protect the most threatened and productive old-growth forests and support sustainable economic development in First Nations communities that can replace old-growth logging. Please write, phone, or meet with your local MLA — or better yet…do all three!

Start by visiting the BC legislature’s website to find your MLA’s name and contact information.

Start by visiting the BC legislature website to find your MLA’s name and contact information.

Important points to include when emailing your MLA:
  • Old-growth forests are important for sustaining endangered species, tourism, clean water, wild salmon, and many First Nations cultures.
  • As the province moves forward with its 30% x 2030 protection targets, BC must adhere to a science-based, old-growth protection plan that uses ecosystem-based protection targets to permanently safeguard the productive, “big-tree” old-growth forests.
  • Conservation financing from the province should be linked to the protection of the most at-risk ecosystems and directed toward First Nations’ sustainable economic development, such as tourism, sustainable second-growth forestry, and renewable energy.
  • While long-term land-use plans are developed, the BC government must prioritize enabling temporary logging deferrals in the most endangered old-growth forests identified by its own Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), by providing $120 million in short-term “solutions space” funding to offset any lost revenues First Nations would incur by forgoing logging in at-risk stands.
  • Forestry jobs can be sustained and enhanced by restricting raw log exports to keep BC logs for BC’s mills and by providing financial incentives (e.g. tax breaks) to help develop a value-added, second-growth wood manufacturing industry.
  • BC must dedicate funding for a provincial Land Acquisition Fund to purchase and protect old-growth forests and endangered ecosystems on private lands.

* Be sure to include your full name and address so that they know you’re a real person!

When PHONING your MLA’s constituency office:

You’ll likely speak to a constituency assistant, so briefly let them know your name, home address (so they know you’re a constituent), and include these points:

  1. BC needs a science-based Protected Areas Strategy with legally binding targets to protect the full diversity of ecosystems in BC. This should factor in ‘forest productivity distinctions’ to ensure the “big tree” old-growth stands get protected, not just “scrubby” old-growth with smaller trees (think sub-alpine, bog forests) that are less sought after by industry.
  2. The $1.1 billion in conservation financing now available for First Nations should be linked to the protection of the most threatened old-growth forests. This funding must also support sustainable economic alternatives (i.e. tourism, sustainable seafood, non-timber forest products, etc.) to help supplant the revenues from old-growth logging.
  3. An additional estimated $120 million is still needed in short-term “solutions space” funding to support First Nation’s-led old-growth logging deferrals. Many nations do not have the economic means to forgo logging over the next few years in the forests with the highest timber values, which are also the most at-risk.
  4. Lastly, BC needs a dedicated $70 million Land Acquisition Fund to help purchase and protect endangered old-growth forests and areas of high recreational value on private lands.
When MEETING with your MLA:

Request a face-to-face meeting when writing or phoning your MLA. Provide your name and residential address so they know you’re from the Member’s constituency. Before meeting with your MLA, review the background information below and read these talking points, which will help you get prepared. In the meeting, ask them what they will do to help and write down their answer. Be polite, but firm, and listen carefully. If your MLA makes a commitment or shares something noteworthy that you would like to share with us at the Ancient Forest Alliance, email us at info@16.52.162.165.  Please feel free to contact us in advance if you need advice on meeting your MLA.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION on Old-Growth Forests in BC

The old-growth forests in BC are among the most magnificent forests on Earth. Home to some of the world’s largest trees, old-growth forests are not only iconic parts of BC, but they also support unique plants, animals, and cultures.

Despite their environmental, cultural, and economic value, these magnificent ancient forests are now highly endangered due to industrial logging. On the southern coast of BC, 80% of the original productive old-growth forests have been logged, including well over 90% of the lowland ancient forests where the richest biodiversity and largest trees are found. The logging of these carbon-rich forests contributes significantly to BC’s CO2 emissions and is driving old-growth-dependent species toward extinction.

Only about 8% of the original, productive old-growth forests on Vancouver Island are protected in parks and Old-Growth Management Areas (OGMAs). Old-growth forests, with trees that can be 2,000 years old, are a non-renewable resource under BC’s system of forestry, where second-growth forests are re-logged every 50 to 100 years, never to become old-growth again.

Protecting old-growth forests is critical because they:

  • Support unique wildlife, including species at risk.
  • Provide clean water for people, wild salmon, and other wildlife.
  • Store vast amounts of atmospheric carbon.
  • Support the tourism industry.
  • Are central to many First Nations cultures.

Environmental groups have been advocating for the protection of endangered old-growth forests in BC for almost 50 years, but we now have a unique opportunity to finally lay this conflict to rest. The BC government has committed to a “paradigm shift” in how it manages forests, for the first time in history pledging to prioritize ecological health over industrial extraction. This is a profound change, and the BC government has taken some major leaps forward, such as creating a $300 million conservation financing fund to support the protection of old-growth forests through the creation of new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, committing to protecting 30% of lands in BC by 2030 in collaboration with First Nations, and more.

However, key funding and policy gaps will remain, allowing irreplaceable old-growth forests to continue to fall.

The Ancient Forest Alliance is calling on the BC government to ensure a successful paradigm shift is implemented which includes:

  • Using ecosystem-based protection targets to ensure the productive, “big-tree” old-growth forests are not left out of upcoming old-growth protection plans.
  • Linking the new conservation financing fund to the protection of the most at-risk ecosystems and directing it toward sustainable economic development in First Nations communities to transition away from extractive industries such as old-growth logging.
  • Prioritizing the implementation of temporary logging deferrals of the most endangered old-growth forests as identified by the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), by providing short-term “solution space” funding to offset any lost revenues First Nations would incur by forgoing logging in at-risk stands.
  • Sustaining forestry jobs by restricting raw log exports to keep BC logs for BC’s mills and by providing financial incentives (e.g. tax breaks) to help develop a value-added, second-growth wood manufacturing industry.
  • Turning “non-legal” Old-Growth Management Areas into legally-binding reserves.
  • Creating a provincial land acquisition fund to purchase and protect endangered ecosystems on private lands.

For more information, visit our website to read the AFA’s 10 policy recommendations in more detail, read our general old-growth Q&As or see old-growth statistics and before and after maps.

Happy Earth Day from the AFA!

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Happy Earth Day from AFA! ?

The global theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Invest in Our Planet”. For years, the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) and our supporters have been calling on the province to “invest in our planet” by committing significant funding toward the protection of endangered old-growth forests in BC through conservation financing.

This approach has already proven successful in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii, where conservation financing has supported the creation of 123 Indigenous-led businesses, invested $122 million in local sustainable infrastructure, and diversified First Nations economies, all while creating over 1,200 jobs and infusing $63 million into local communities as salaries (see the recent Coast Funds report here).

The emergence of these conservation economies has allowed First Nations communities to transition away from resource-extractive industries like old-growth logging toward sustainable forms of employment and revenue. Additionally, these funding mechanisms provide the resources for Indigenous-led stewardship of their unceded territories.

Conservation Economy: A New Way Forward

Recent studies have shown there is greater economic value to endangered old-growth forests in BC when they’re left standing than when they’re cut down, as seen in our report on the Economic Value of Old-Growth Forests near Port Renfrew BC.

The concept of a “nature economy” is growing as well, which Global News explains in this new interactive article highlighting success stories, such as Indigenous tourism, and featuring a number of AFA photos and videos as well.

The Ancient Forest Alliance has been leading the years-long push to get the province to invest in protecting old-growth ecosystems, and we’re beginning to see the framework for success appear.

On the ground, AFA, alongside our partners at the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance and Nature-Based Solutions Foundation, are supporting Indigenous communities to protect approximately 355-square kilometers of highly-endangered old-growth forests through collaborations with the Kanaka Bar Indian Band to support their Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area proposal, and the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation to support their Salmon Parks Initiative.

Under pressure, the BC government has now committed to creating a new conservation financing tool within the next six months that can be used to protect old-growth forests elsewhere in BC. However, thus far, the province has not allocated any of its own funding toward it.

We’re committed to doing everything in our power to invest in our planet and its old-growth ecosystems. But we can’t do it alone. If you haven’t already, please consider donating to the AFA or take one minute and send an instant message to the BC government calling on it to invest in our planet by providing funding for old-growth protection!

Earth Day is every day ?

A turquoise ocean splashes against craggy rocks with lush, green old-growth forest and blue-hued mountains in the background.

Earth Month Contest: Prints for Forest Protection!

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Earth Month Contest Alert! ?

To honour Earth Month, we’re hosting a PRINT GIVEAWAY to help protect endangered ancient forests in BC! All you need to do to enter is Send a Message to the BC government calling for funding to help protect old-growth forests using our recently UPDATED take-action tool! Help us reach 15,000 messages by sharing the link with friends and family as well.

*Note, those who have already sent a message to the BC government using our updated tool (since March 30, 2023) will automatically be entered into the draw. If you sent messages prior to that, you can send a NEW one today.

Send a Message to Enter!

Included in the prize is a signed 20”x30” fine art print from Ancient Forest Alliance photographer, TJ Watt, and an “I ? Ancient Forests” tote bag.

The winner will choose their print from a number of picturesque scenes including the Brooks Peninsula, Avatar Grove, Caycuse Valley, Nootka Island, Great Bear Rainforest, Big Lonely Doug, and more. See them here or browse the gallery below.

Speaking up really does make a difference!

Thanks, in part, to the tens of thousands of letters sent in by people like you over the past few years, we’re seeing many of our main campaign requests materialize, such as the BC government’s recent commitment to protect 30% of the province by 2030, which will double the amount of area currently under legislated protection; creating a conservation financing mechanism to help protect old-growth forests through the creation of new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (this is huge!); prioritizing biodiverse areas for protection and creating a new BC Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework; investing in a transition to a lower-volume, higher-value forest industry that focuses on processing smaller diameter trees; and more.

However, we’re not there yet

There are still a few major provincial policy and funding gaps to be filled to make sure the government’s commitments lead to protecting the most endangered old-growth forests while supporting the sustainable economic diversification of First Nations communities, whose unceded lands these are and who have the final say in what gets protected — or not.

So please, add your voice to the thousands of individuals and hundreds of businesses who are also calling on the BC government to fund old-growth protection!

Send a Message to Enter

The contest will close at 11:59pm on Earth Day (April 22, 2023) and is open to residents of Canada. The winner will be announced the following Monday (April 24, 2023). We will contact the winner by email, so be sure to add Ancient Forest Alliance to your contacts, so it doesn’t end up in your junk/spam folder.

To keep track of news, photos, and future contests, be sure to follow Ancient Forest Alliance on Instagram and Facebook, and tag your friends in our giveaway post so they can get involved, too!

For the forests,

The AFA team

 

ACTION ALERT: Call for Old-Growth Funding in Budget 2023 by June 24th!

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Right now until (3:00 pm, Friday, June 24th), the BC government is seeking input from British Columbians on their priorities for the 2023 provincial budget.

This is a critical opportunity for us to request funding that can make the government’s old-growth promises a reality. Please join us in calling on the BC government to commit at least $300 million in provincial funding in Budget 2023 to support Indigenous-led protected areas initiatives and at least $70 million for a Provincial Land Acquisition Fund to purchase and protect endangered ecosystems, including old-growth forests, on private lands.

To submit your feedback, complete a written submission and/or fill out a survey on the Budget 2023 consultation website.

See below for our suggested written submission points and our handy survey guide.

Written Submission Suggested Wording

*Note: Below are some suggested points but be sure to use your own words as much as possible. The more personalized, the more weight your submission will carry.

Recommendation 1 suggested subject:

Commit at least $300 million in provincial funding to support Indigenous-led protected areas initiatives.

Recommendation 1 suggested points:

  • A fund of at least $300 million is needed to support the sustainable economic development and diversification of First Nations economies in lieu of old-growth logging and tied to the creation of new Indigenous Protected Areas.
  • This is above and beyond the $185 million already committed in Budget 2022, which mostly focuses on industry/workers.
  • First Nations make the final decision about whether old-growth deferral recommendations go forward or not in their territory, but many Nations now have a large economic stake in old-growth logging.
  • Significant conservation financing is therefore needed in order to offset the economic impacts of old-growth deferrals on First Nations and forestry-based communities.
  • The federal government has made hundreds of millions of dollars available for land conservation in BC, including in old-growth forests, which the province needs to embrace.

Recommendation 2 suggested subject:

Provide at least $70 million in Budget 2023 to create a Provincial Land Acquisition Fund

Recommendation 2 suggested points:

  • Many of BC’s most endangered and biologically rich ecosystems, including ancient forests, are found on private lands.
  • To be protected, private lands must be purchased.
  • Local or regional governments, private land trusts, or community groups are unable to raise money fast enough to purchase and protect all the endangered private lands in BC that are under threat from logging, real estate, or other developments.
  • The province should allocate at least $70 million in Budget 2023 to create a Provincial Land Acquisition Fund to systematically purchase private lands of high conservation, scenic, cultural, and recreational value.
  • Ideally, this $70 million annual fund should increase by $10 million/year until the fund reaches at least $100 million/year.

Survey Guide

Question 1. The cost of living is rising nationally as a result of global challenges linked to Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the continuing impacts of COVID-19. What further actions do you think the province should take to support people facing challenges from the rising cost of living?

Please complete as you see fit.

Question 2. What actions do you think the Province should take to improve your and your family’s quality of life?

Please complete as you see fit. You may wish to include points regarding climate change and the benefits of standing old-growth forests. Speak from the heart. It goes a long way.

Question 3. Would you be interested in seeing more funding for actions that address climate change and help proactively prevent climate disasters?

Please put ‘Yes’

Question 4. Which areas do you think should receive more, the same or less funding?

Complete as you see fit. In the “other” category, you may wish to include “Old-growth protection” and/or “Indigenous-led protected area initiatives”

Background Information

In October 2020, the province promised to work with First Nations to implement all 14 recommendations made by the Old Growth Strategic Review Panel, which if implemented, would result in a paradigm shift in how old-growth forests are managed in BC.

In order to facilitate this shift, the BC government must provide significant funding to relieve economic pressure in many First Nations communities so that temporary, and eventually, permanent protection can be placed on the most at-risk ancient forests.

The province has agreed in theory to defer (temporarily pause) logging in 2.6 million hectares of old-growth forests identified as the most at-risk of irreversible biodiversity loss by an independent science panel, the Technical Advisory Panel.

As a result, in Budget 2022, the government committed $185 million to largely support forestry workers affected by the deferrals (a smaller subset of which would go towards First Nations forestry workers) and $12.6 million to support First Nations’ land-use planning.

However, given that numerous First Nations have a significant economic stake in old-growth logging revenues and employment, an additional, dedicated fund of at least $300 million is needed to support Indigenous-led old-growth logging deferrals, land-use plans, and protected areas. This includes funding for Indigenous Guardians programs, offsetting the lost revenues for logging deferrals, and the sustainable economic diversification of First Nations communities in lieu of old-growth logging linked to the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas.

Additional funding beyond the $300 million is also needed to support forestry workers and contractors, and legally defined compensation for major licensees, as well as to establish a Provincial Land Acquisition Fund to purchase and protect endangered ecosystems, including old-growth forests, on private lands.

Send a Message to Demand Funding for Old-Growth Protection in Budget 2021

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Without funding to protect old-growth forests, BC’s ancient giants will continue to fall. Speak up today! Send a message to the BC government before April 20th, demanding funding be allocated in Budget 2021 to protect old-growth forests & support communities.