A demonstration against logging in Cathedral Grove will take the form of a hike to show the importance of protecting the area while demanding the provincial and federal governments take action, organizers said.

The Wilderness Committee has joined with the Federation of Mountain Clubs of B.C. and the Alpine Club of Canada for today's guided hike of the Arrowsmith Trail, near Cameron Lake. The area has been earmarked for logging by Island Timberland and Brookfield Asset Management, which owns the managed forest land.

"We know that unless an area is protected, it is private land and can be logged, and that is the whole issue here," said Annette Tanner, of the Wilderness Committee. "With just two per cent protection [for forests on the east coast of the Island], it's not enough to sustain tourism and recreation activities."

The CPR trail is an important area for outdoor enthusiasts, but the area is also a key tourist destination and provides water to nearby communities, Tanner said.

"It's just not enough to serve people and preserve the ecosystem functions that deliver our ground water, drinking water and wildlife corridors," she said.

Logging is inevitable, without the lands being protected, Tanner said

The hike starts at 9 a.m. from the east side of Cameron Lake.