FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES/VANCOUVER – The revelations about a B.C. Ministry of Forests old-growth map showing that over half of the most endangered forests recommended for deferrals three years ago remain open to logging are a wake-up call for everyone in British Columbia. 

The map, which was originally reported by the CCPA, shows Ministry staff had removed 55 percent of the most endangered, big-treed old-growth forest from consideration for deferral of logging activities. This is in opposition to the recommendations of the province’s own science advisory panel, which identified areas in need of the most urgent protection three years ago. The map also clearly shows substantial increases in logging deferrals in areas with smaller trees that are less endangered and less commercially valuable. 

Recent provincial conservation announcements like the Nature Agreement with the First Nations Leadership Council have all the key ingredients for progress in safeguarding the most at-risk forests. But they have not led to tangible change on the ground.  

Amid the intensifying climate and biodiversity crisis, we can’t afford a provincial government acting with one hand to increase conservation and with the other to undermine progress. All levels of government must speed up solutions to protect old-growth forests before we lose what little is left.   

Getting on track to implement a paradigm shift in forest stewardship that makes safeguarding biodiversity a priority will require:  

• An immediate stop to logging in the most at-risk old-growth forests, including all areas recommended for deferral by the Old Growth Technical Advisory Panel and any additional areas identified by First Nations. 
• Providing full financial support to First Nations, including compensation for lost revenues and employment. 
• Ensuring accessible and transparent information about forests and logging — including publicly available updated maps and data showing where recent, ongoing, and planned logging overlaps with at-risk old growth — and full compliance with Free, Prior and Informed Consent and the rights of Title holders. 

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