A David versus Goliath battle of epic proportions is shaping up on BC’s Cortes Island. At stake are some of the last remnants of old-growth Douglas Fir forests left anywhere in the world.
Concerned islanders are facing off against Island Timberlands and its parent company, Brookfield Asset Management. This is the same company that evicted the Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York City. Brookfield has cutting rights to over 2.5 million acres of forests worldwide and timberland assets worth over $3.5 billion. And that is just their forestry component.
When we went up to Cortes just a few days ago to check out the forest, we were expecting to meet the usual environmentalists, but not one person I spoke to on Cortes Island is against logging per se.
Heck, most of the people I spoke to had a history of working in that sector. But all of them recognized that we are facing a huge problem in B.C.—a forestry sector that is bleeding jobs while liquidating the last remnants of old-growth forests. Exports of raw logs have gone up 12-fold in the past five years while at the same time BC mills and processing plants are being shut down at an alarming rate.
What we saw on Cortes was nothing short of spectacular; healthy old-growth forests that are a sanctuary for black-tailed deer, wolves and other large animals. Island Timberlands has cutting rights to 2,600 acres of forest, including the key areas of old-growth close to several sensitive wetlands ecosystems.
The area is described as a rich tapestry of sensitive wetland ecosystems buffered by mature forests. These lands just happen to have the best soil quality, the biggest trees, and the island’s central water recharge area.
The cutting was slated to start at the end of January. However, because of massive local opposition, the company has temporarily halted its plans. This momentary reprieve against the cutting does not remove the threat that the forest is facing.
That is why I am writing to you today – to ask you to take action. Please take a few minutes to use our letter writing tool to send a letter to the CEOs of Island Timberlands and Brookfield Assets asking for the protection of this sensitive ecosystem.
James Coccola | Public Outreach Coordinator
Wilderness Committee
PS. If you are looking for something to do on February 8, you should come and check out the screening of ‘Spoil’ at UVic. After the film, Caitlyn Vernon from the Sierra Club will lead a discussion on the Great Bear Rainforest, the Enbridge pipeline and what we can do about it.
There are lots of meaningful ways to contribute to the work of the Wilderness Committee. Whether is helping out around the office, promotion events, or doing campaign specific outreach in your community, we can use your skills and passion!
Three things make the Wilderness Committee the ideal environmental volunteer experience for me: first, the Committee has an uncompromising commitment to the environment and wildlife; secondly, its staff is forthright, friendly, passionate, politically savvy, committed, funny, and great to work with; and lastly, the Committee provides constructive opportunities to get directly involved in a wide range of activities, campaigns, and issues for the benefit of the environment and wildlife.