“SAFT is group of leading forest ecologists/forest
To put it bluntly, we have witnessed a significant draw down of ecological capital for short to medium term gain, and now we are experiencing the consequences of this with mill shutdowns, rural community viability concerns, habitat loss/alteration, more floods & fires, loss of Indigenous Chief status due to loss of valued ecosystem and cultural components, to name a few.
In addition, our remaining primary forests are being targeted for wood pellet production with enormous publicly funded & rate payer subsidies keeping the biofuel industry alive, all based on a faulty argument that it is “green energy”.
FSC certified companies such as Teal-Jones Group (recall Fairy Creek?), West Fraser, Canfor, Tolko & Paper Excellence are all forest industry players that remain part of the problem as noted above. The credibility of FSC certification is well below the bar in the eyes of many, and is perceived to be deception scam based on FSC being marketed to be a “globally recognized standard for sustainable management”, which clearly many of its certified companies are not achieving. As such, FSC must seriously revise its standards of certification to be true to its objective.”
— SAFT member, Jim Pojar
Joe Karthein, Save What’s Left, exposed the truth of what is becoming of the last old growth forests in B.C. outside of parks/protected areas. Despite the Minister of Forests telling us that the recommendations from the Old Growth Strategic Review are being implemented, his Ministry and B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) have shifted to targeting old-growth stands for clear-cutting and transforming them to rotational plantations. This included all categories of “merchantable” old growth, with the last straw now targeting remnant old-growth forests.
Without informing the public, BCTS changed its policy from protection to exploitation, and the same can be said for the bulk of forest industry majors. The current B.C. Provincial Government has proven time and again to be secretive, deceptive, a continued source of misinformation, and continues to bow down to corporate greed. They have seriously fractured public trust.
In 2021, the Technical Advisory Panel identified 2.6 million hectares of old-growth at risk of irreversible biodiversity loss, and proposed it be set aside from logging to allow time for long-term planning with First Nations. The Provincial Government implemented the proposal by adopting mapping of so-called old-growth deferral areas, set aside from logging to allow time for long-term planning with First Nations, but no voice at the table by non-First Nation constituents by design.
With push for indigenous forest tenures and forestry signing agreements, and First Nations wanting to have a bigger discussion in the spirit of reconciliation rather than being handed a referral, we have witnessed a minimal amount of First Nation endorsement of the old-growth deferrals, especially in central and northern B.C. With government endorsement, the forest industry has targeted the logging of the so-called “deferrals”. The depletion of ecological capital and resulting destabilization of committees proceeds with forest industry impunity.
Many of us were gut punched yet again to learn about the highly publicized monumental yellow cedar recently felled for timber on Vancouver Island…one of many old-growth trees that continue to be targeted. To quote fellow SAFT member and scientist Frank Doyle, “Oh my… the big tree story was more than enough for one day. I am totally at a loss.”
The continued depletion of old-growth trees is not just a rural reality, but the same is taking place in the urban environment of Stanley Park, Vancouver, despite multiple expert submitted affidavits stating that what is taking place is not a sound approach to maintaining a healthy and functional forest with old-growth structure complexity, or addressing fire risk. Danger tree assessment procedures have also been called into question. The Stanley Park Preservation Society deserves and needs additional support by local ENGOs and Vancouver citizens. If you care about Stanley Park, be sure to check out the Save Stanley park website. The persistent work and investigation by Michael Caditz and team are to be commended.
We have to keep the momentum going, but it is now time to not just adjust the tactics, but to change the strategy. If we are continuing to bang our heads and not see the necessary transformation, then clearly we are not taking the correct approach. What must happen now to Save What’s Left, rebuild forest ecological capital, and bring back community resiliency, is to take control of the agenda…that is the strategy if we are to succeed. The New Forest Act is a starter template for which to build on. The key is to get the majority of constituents on side, then you have control of the politicians, as long as we still have faith in a resemblance of democracy.
Jennifer Houghton continues to champion the New Forest Act through the Boundary Forest Watershed Stewardship Society:
What B.C.’s Mill Closures Really Mean …communities are getting impacted and the reasons are the same every time.
B.C. Counted Trees That Aren’t There …leaked 572 pg. Mackenzie timber supply review, applicable across the province.
The Myths Driving B.C. Forestry into the Ditch …breaks down the five biggest myths that keep arguments alive.
How BC’s forest industry makes money twice (while mills shut down)
An accompanying article makes for a quick read.
The Problem with B.C. Forestry Isn’t What You’re Being Told … it is a forest condition and system design problem.TJ Watt’s TEDx Talk is a must watch/re-watch: One Last Shot to Protect Old-Growth Forests in B.C.
…and see Ross Reid’s postings on Nerdy for Nature with over 38,000 subscribers!