Defending ancient trees: It’s in our fibre

Tension is growing in the forests across British Columbia so I thought it was appropriate to reflect on my work in the Spring session of the legislature standing up for our most treasured ancient creatures.

Fresh images of devastating clearcuts hacked from the valley walls of Schmidt Creek, Naka Creek, Tessium Creek and Upper Tsitika Watersheds is inspiring another wave of protests. Public frustration is building.

The response of the government has been to try to find the middle of the road. As Minister of Forests, Hon. Doug Donaldson said in his response to me in question period on May 8th and he has repeated many times since,

“We’re blessed with amazing forests in this province. There are a variety of perspectives on old-growth management. Our government is committed to protecting the important biodiversity of old-growth forests. We also recognize the value of old-growth forests as they sustain wildlife, an important part of B.C.’s natural heritage. We’re also committed to ensuring the continued vibrancy and an innovative forest sector. Over 24,000 people are employed in the coastal forest sector.”

This statement ignores the reality that we cannot protect biodiversity by cutting it, and that communities are already in transition. We know we have very little old-growth left and someone is going to have to make the hard decision to stop scarring the mountainsides with clearcuts. After decades of neglect we need a government that is willing to work with communities to re-build economic, social and environmental resilience. Instead, it’s a message box, essentially making the same claims of the previous government that we can have our cake and eat it too!

The BC Greens are calling on the BC NDP government to implement a moratorium on the few old-growth hotspots left on Vancouver Island and to immediately transition to a sustainable forest economy.

We are asking British Columbians to join us in our call – ADD YOUR NAME HERE!

I invite you to check out some of my recent work on this important issue.