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Sierra Club BC commends tripartite Nature Agreement for BC

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 3, 2023

Agreement and related funding commitments set the stage to protect 30 percent of lands in B.C. by 2030 

VANCOUVER/UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES – Sierra Club BC commends the First Nations Leadership Council and the governments of B.C. and Canada for ratifying a long-anticipated Nature Agreement and the funding it brings towards increasing protection in B.C. 

The agreement directs new and existing government funds totaling over $1 billion to the goal of protecting 30 percent of the lands in B.C. by 2030, supporting implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and helping address the biodiversity and climate crises. The funding will support First Nations and other communities’ efforts to restore ecosystems, improve stewardship, and create Guardian programs.  

“This agreement is an historic step forward for B.C. and the world in protecting intact ecosystems while respecting Indigenous rights and building on Indigenous knowledges. It offers a pathway toward protecting 30 percent of land in B.C. by 2030, aligning multiple funding sources for coordinated action at all levels. From old-growth forests to unique grasslands, there are many endangered landscapes in this province that don’t exist anywhere else, and protecting them is globally significant,” said Shelley Luce, Campaigns Director at Sierra Club BC.       

The agreement outlines steps to ensure collaboration on Species at Risk Protection and Recovery and highlights the importance of following through on existing commitments, like implementation of the Old Growth Strategic Review (OGSR), the Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan, and actions toward the recovery of Spotted Owl.  

Of crucial importance, it also outlines that “Canada and B.C. will consult and cooperate with First Nations to identify areas for interim protection that could contribute to Canada’s commitment to protect 25% of terrestrial areas by 2025.” Interim protection, for example in the form of overdue logging deferrals for at-risk old-growth forests that are still open to logging, is crucial to allow time to come to agreements about long-term conservation designations before more endangered ecosystems are destroyed.  

While the agreement explains that increasing protection will include high-priority old-growth forests and areas important for species at risk and migratory birds, more work is needed to ensure that at-risk ecosystems and habitat will be prioritized to address critical gaps in the current protected areas system. 

Important guidance to address representation of the full range of ecosystems in protected areas can be found in the Great Bear Rainforest. Protected areas in this region meet a high bar in representing all ecosystems in the region, including low elevation old-growth forest, estuaries and wetlands, consistent with regional ecosystem targets under Ecosystem-based Management.

“The Nature Agreement between First Nations Leadership Council and the provincial and federal governments includes key pillars that give us confidence that we can make rapid progress, to meet the interim goal of 25 percent protection by 2025, followed by 30 x 30. Increased use of interim protection for at-risk old growth and other endangered ecosystems will be crucial to ensure a legacy that protects all parts of the web of life in this spectacular part of the world we call home,” said Jens Wieting, Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner at Sierra Club BC. 

The agreement includes details to ensure funding will enable tangible outcomes. This includes the Old Growth Nature Fund (with matching funding of $50M from the federal and provincial governments and potential funding from third-party organizations), which will be used to work in partnership with First Nations to permanently protect and conserve 0.4 to 1.3 million hectares of high priority at-risk old-growth forest ecosystems by 2025.  

The upper number, 1.3 million hectares, could translate to permanently protecting one half of the 2.6 million hectares of most at-risk old-growth forest that was recommended for deferral. The currently committed conservation funding is expected to grow through partnerships between governments and foundations contributing philanthropic donations and allow the protection of all the remaining at-risk old-growth forests. 

The Nature Agreement also contains important reporting requirements, including annual reports “to ensure public transparency and to support broad credibility, understanding and accountability regarding progress and outcomes of the Agreement.” 

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Additional background:

Meeting the 30 x 30 goal will require doubling the total area in protected areas in B.C. that meet international standards (defined by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature). In recent years the total area in protected areas that meet these standards stood at 15.5 percent.   

The data and mapping developed by the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) and endorsed by the B.C. government in 2021 show that old-growth forests cover 11.1 million hectares (less than 20 percent of B.C.’s total forest area). According to the TAP data, about two-thirds of the remaining old-growth (7.6 million hectares) have been identified as at-risk old-growth forests. Of those 7.6 million hectares, two-thirds (5 million hectares) are unprotected. And of those unprotected at-risk stands, a little more than half (2.6 million hectares) is recommended for deferrals. Currently, less than half of these most at-risk old-growth forests have been deferred from logging.  

The funding sources related to the Nature Agreement include the provincial conservation financing mechanism announced at the end of October, click here for more information.

 

Media contacts:

Jens Wieting, Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner/Science Advisor, Sierra Club BC
jens@sierraclub.bc.ca or (604) 354-5312

 

Review of B.C. data shows annual old-growth logging has gone up, not down

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Three years after the B.C. government promised to reform forest stewardship, provincial old-growth updates remain incomplete, delayed and superficial.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 4, 2023

VANCOUVER/UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES – A Sierra Club BC review of provincial logging data shows that the total area of old growth cut in 2021 was about 19 percent higher than what was reported by the province. This means annual old-growth logging increased in 2021 instead of falling to “record lows” as stated by the B.C. government. The annual total reviewed by Sierra Club BC shows 45,700 hectares of old-growth forests were cut in 2021, which is equivalent to a loss of 175 soccer fields per day. Annual data for 2022 has still not been shared by the province. 

“Three years ago, the B.C. government promised to work with First Nations to shift the paradigm in forest stewardship, including providing the public with timely and objective information about forest conditions and trends. Three years later, people in B.C. are still left without basic facts, like the annual destruction of irreplaceable old-growth forests,” said Jens Wieting, Sierra Club BC’s Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner.        

This finding is especially concerning because the B.C. government stated in its November 2022 media release that old-growth logging had “declined to record lows.” To support this, the province compared the old-growth logging total of 2021 to 2015, instead of the previous year. A closer look at the limited provincial data shared at the time showed a relatively stable old-growth logging rate during the period 2019 to 2021, averaging 150 soccer fields per day. However, based on Sierra Club BC’s review of more recent data, the total area of old growth logged went up in 2021 when compared to 2020, instead of being reduced.    

“The inconvenient truth is that industry has taken too much of the forest, without regard for the ecological and economic consequences. We need to change course quickly to safeguard what is left and restore what has been damaged. Unfortunately, our review shows that instead of protecting and bringing back forests, B.C. continues to allow irresponsible logging and leaves us in the dark about how much is being lost,” said Shelley Luce, Sierra Club BC’s Director of Campaigns.  

One of the data sources available to compile the annual old-growth logging total is the RESULTS database (specifically Openings and Reserves databases). A major challenge using this source is that areas logged in one year may not show up in the database until one or two years later. Sierra Club BC’s recent review showed a higher total logged than the province reported when using updated data.  

“The incomplete, delayed and superficial provincial data about old-growth trends shows that B.C. is nowhere close to fulfilling one of the conditional recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review, much more detailed and timely information about the state of the forest. This is necessary to assess progress and was supposed to be implemented during the first year of the three-year framework,” added Wieting. 

One example is the fate of the most endangered old-growth forests. In 2021, the B.C. government shared mapping identifying 2.6 million hectares of old-growth forests considered most at-risk that had been recommended for logging deferrals. More than half of these areas, however, remain open to logging. Detailed public updates on new deferrals, permanent protection, areas logged or at risk of logging are particularly important for all categories of at-risk forests. And regional information is necessary to inform land use planning and new Forest Landscape Plans.  

Other jurisdictions have no trouble offering timely updates on forest trends. In early July the government of Brazil reported a 34 percent drop in deforestation for the period January to June 2023 within days. 

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Featured photo by Mya Van Woudenberg.

Rallies at MLA offices across B.C. demand action on old growth

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 28, 2023

Various locations across B.C. – People across British Columbia are taking to their MLA offices today to demand their elected representatives fulfill their promises to protect old-growth forests. From the Kootenays to the Coast, nearly twenty rallies and events are being held today in communities like Peachland, Revelstoke, Nanaimo, Nelson, Surrey, Campbell River, Victoria, and Vancouver.

Photos and videos from the day of action will be uploaded throughout the day here.

Today’s day of action for old-growth forests comes just over three years after the B.C. NDP government’s commitment to implement all 14 recommendations of the 2020 Old Growth Strategic Review (OGSR), which called for a three-year implementation timeline. To date, none of the recommendations have been fulfilled, there is widespread frustration, and people throughout B.C. are calling on the provincial government to get implementation on track before more irreplaceable old-growth forests fall.

The day of action was called by Wildsight, Wilderness Committee, Stand.earth, Sierra Club BC, and Elders for Ancient Trees, but events are largely hosted by local groups and constituents. Today’s protests are in support of the United For Old Growth Declaration and its calls for action, a message behind which thousands marched on the B.C. Legislature earlier this year.

Groups are calling for the B.C. government to fulfill its commitment to the OGSR, which outlined the need for a paradigm shift in forest stewardship to prioritize community and ecosystem values above timber. As part of its commitment, the province pledged to work with First Nations on long-term solutions and pause harvest in the most at-risk old-growth forests as a first step. Despite those promises, forests mapped as candidates for deferral continue to be targeted by logging companies.

Constituents are aiming to send their MLAs back to the B.C. Legislative Assembly next week with a strong mandate to fulfill the government’s old growth promises. Their demands to elected officials include that Premier David Eby fulfill his promise to accelerate action on old growth, by immediately stopping logging in the most at-risk old-growth forests; provide full and urgent financial support to First Nations; and ensure fully transparent information about forests and logging moving forward.

Quotes:

“The worst wildfire season in B.C. history underscores how poorly forests here have been managed, and people from all walks of life want to see nature and biodiversity put ahead of logging profits,” said Jackie Larkin of the Elders for Ancient Trees. “Community organizers, artists, and performers from all around the province are coming together today to send this message of urgency to the government in creative and beautiful ways.”

“Every day we hear from people in every corner of B.C. who are fed up with the ongoing destruction of irreplaceable forests that the B.C. NDP promised to set aside,” said Torrance Coste, National Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee. “Premier Eby needs to use the fall session of the Legislature to change course, and end this track record of talk-and-log and broken promises on old growth.”

“The B.C. NDP made an election promise to protect old growth, and three years later the most rare forests are still being destroyed on their watch,” said Tegan Hansen, Senior Forest Campaigner at Stand.earth. “People across B.C. are taking action today to hold Premier David Eby and his government accountable to the pledge they made to voters. Premier Eby needs to keep his promise, and take real action to keep old-growth forests standing now.”

“Industrial forest degradation exacerbates climate change impacts, including the risk of fire. This year, a record 2.5 million hectares of forests burned in B.C. A similar area has been mapped as most at-risk old growth, and also happens to be the most resilient forest with the best chance to withstand climate impacts. But more than half of those stands remain open to logging,” said Jens Wieting, Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner for Sierra Club BC. “The escalating climate and biodiversity crises show that we can’t afford another three years of delays and destruction.”

“Citizens across the province are standing up and demanding Premier Eby accelerate action to protect the old and ancient forests in their backyards. British Columbia is one of the last jurisdictions in the world still liquidating our irreplaceable old and ancient forests,” said Eddie Petryshen, Conservation Specialist for Wildsight. “Premier Eby must usher in a new era protecting these forests and transforming our forest sector to a high value-low volume jurisdiction where we get the most value out of every tree harvested, maximizing benefits to Nations and communities, not just shareholders.”

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Media contacts:

*the spokespeople below can connect journalists with organizers in local ridings/regions. See the full list of ridings here.

 

Jackie Larkin, Elders for Ancient Trees
jlarkin@gddc.com 

Torrance Coste, National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee
torrance@wildernesscommittee.org 

Tegan Hansen, Senior Forest Campaigner, Stand.earth
tegan@stand.earth 

Jens Wieting, Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner/Science Advisor, Sierra Club BC
jens@sierraclub.bc.ca 

Eddie Petryshen, Conservation Specialist, Wildsight
eddie@wildsight.ca

 

Poster design: Emily Thiessen

Advisory: Old growth rallies planned in 17 locations across British Columbia on Thursday, September 28

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Local constituents and organizations aim to hold MLAs accountable to 2020 election promise on old growth

 

September 26, 2023

Unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh) First Nations (Vancouver) – This Thursday, September 28, people throughout British Columbia will gather at their local constituency offices to demand elected officials keep their promises on old growth.

  • What: Day of Action for Old Growth Forests
  • When: Thursday, September 28
  • Where: At MLA offices and in communities throughout B.C. A list of planned protests, rallies and events can be found here.

The protests are being planned to mark the three-year anniversary of the B.C. NDP’s commitment to implement the entirety of the Old Growth Strategic Review (OGSR). To date, not one of the 14 recommendations in the OGSR report has been fulfilled, and the most rare and at-risk old growth forests continue to be logged. So far, about 20 local events have been registered, from Vancouver Island to the East Kootenays.

The day of action was called by Wildsight, Wilderness Committee, Stand.earth, Sierra Club BC and Elders for Ancient Trees, but local events are being hosted by other organizations, groups, and citizens. 

Photos and videos from the day of action will be uploaded throughout the day on September 28 here.

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Media contacts:

Eddie Petryshen, Conservation Specialist, Wildsight
eddie@wildsight.ca

Jackie Larkin, Elders for Ancient Trees
jlarkin@gddc.com 

Tegan Hansen, Senior Forest Campaigner, Stand.earth
tegan@stand.earth 

Torrance Coste, National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee
torrance@wildernesscommittee.org 

Jens Wieting, Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner/Science Advisor, Sierra Club BC
jens@sierraclub.bc.ca 

 

Poster design: Emily Thiessen

On three-year anniversary of B.C.’s old growth commitments, groups denounce delays and continued destruction of threatened forests

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Organizations call on Premier David Eby to keep his promise to accelerate action on old growth and deliver needed paradigm-shift.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 11, 2023

VANCOUVER/UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES – Today marks the third anniversary of the B.C. NDP’s commitment to implement all 14 recommendations of the 2020 Old Growth Strategic Review (OGSR) on a three year timeline. To date, none of the recommendations have been fulfilled, while at-risk old-growth forests continue to fall.

Images and videos available for use here.

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), Sierra Club BC, Wilderness Committee and Stand.earth are calling on the B.C. government to make up for years of delays and further loss of threatened old growth by fast-tracking implementation milestones for all 14 recommendations from the OGSR, including immediate logging deferrals for the most at-risk old growth forests.

“We are at an urgent crossroads amidst the rampant wildfires that have destroyed many communities in B.C. this year and many more are still rebuilding from previous wildfires,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President. “The sheer number of forests that we have lost to the climate crisis already, is devastating. The B.C. government cannot ignore this any longer; stop logging our old-growth trees and help us start rebuilding in an ethically and environmentally friendly manner. The OGSR recommendations are merely a stepping stone; we must go above and beyond. At this rate, there will be nothing left for our children. Stop putting profit and votes over people and get to work on saving our land, water, and air.”

The OGSR outlined the need for a paradigm shift in forest stewardship to prioritize community and ecosystem values above timber. As part of its commitment, the province pledged to work with First Nations on long-term solutions, and immediately pause harvest in the most at-risk old-growth forests. Despite those promises, forests mapped as candidates for deferral continue to be targeted by logging companies.

The three-year anniversary of the OGSR falls during an unprecedented drought and record wildfire season, with more than 2.2 million hectares burned in B.C., fueled by the climate crisis and exacerbated by industrial logging. 

“The last three years have been devastating in terms of escalating biodiversity and climate crises in forests in B.C., with continued habitat loss of at-risk species like caribou and spotted owl and two of the worst wildfire seasons on record,” said Jens Wieting, Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner at Sierra Club BC. “Old-growth forests are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, but the window to preserve them is closing and the B.C. government must double its efforts to end the delays and make the promised paradigm shift a reality.”

The B.C. NDP made its commitment to protect old growth and implement the OGSR in advance of the 2020 election. Despite announcements about long-term steps like an upcoming ecosystem health framework and conservation financing, B.C. has routinely failed to implement measures to keep forests standing and ensure transparency.

“Since Premier Eby promised to ‘accelerate action on old growth’ last November, we’ve seen thousands of hectares of old-growth forests destroyed. Our satellite surveillance tool Forest Eye is getting alerts for new clearcuts and road-building every day, in the same forests this government said it would put off limits to logging,” said Tegan Hansen, Senior Forest Campaigner at Stand.earth. “If this government wants to keep its promises, it has to move beyond empty words and start taking real action to keep forests standing.” 

B.C.’s unfulfilled promises on old growth have been met with criticism and community-led mobilizations throughout the province. On Sept. 28, communities are planning a day of action to call on elected officials to uphold their government’s old-growth pledge.

“The public is exhausted with ‘talk and log,’ with the endless commitments and new processes accompanied by photos of fresh clearcuts in irreplaceable old growth forests,” said Torrance Coste, National Campaign Director at the Wilderness Committee. “People can connect the dots between the biodiversity and climate crisis and irresponsible forest management, and thousands remain committed to reminding the NDP of the promises they seem to be hoping we’ll forget.”

The B.C. government has not yet shared how much old growth has been logged in 2022 or how much old-growth logging has been stopped through the deferrals process since 2020. The latest available provincial data from 2019 to 2021 showed an annual old-growth logging rate equivalent to approximately 150 soccer fields per day.    

The organizations state that in order to deliver on his promise to accelerate action on old growth, Eby must:

  • Immediately stop logging in at-risk old-growth forests, including all areas mapped for deferral by the Old Growth Technical Advisory Panel where logging and road building is continuing, as well as any areas identified by First Nations.
  • Provide full and urgent financial support to First Nations to ensure deferrals are economically viable, including compensation for revenue-sharing agreements and employment, and work with the federal government to secure a substantial increase in funding to support Indigenous-led land use planning and protection.
  • Ensure fully accessible and transparent information about forests and logging — including by releasing 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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Media contacts:

Ellena Neel, UBCIC Communications Director
eneel@ubcic.bc.ca

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President
250-490-5314

Torrance Coste, National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee
torrance@wildernesscommittee.org, 250-516-9900

Jens Wieting, Senior Forest and Climate Campaigner, Sierra Club BC,
jens@sierraclub.bc.ca, (604) 354-5312

Ziona Eyob, Media Director – Canada
canadamedia@stand.earth, +1 604 757 7279

Tegan Hansen, Senior Forest Campaigner, Stand.earth
tegan@stand.earth, (250) 354-3302

 

Additional information:

Old Growth Report Card

Forest Eye satellite monitoring

 

Featured photo by Mya Van Woudenberg.

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