Last Friday the Minister of Forests and Range, Pat Bell, announced the protection of over 1,500 ha of Coastal Douglas Fir.  Linley Valley Forest, Bowser Creek, Nanoose Forest Little Qualicum Forest and Hurtado Forest are now protected from logging. The Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem is one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada: less than 1% of the original old-growth forest is left. Thank you so much for writing in to protect these ecological gems: your letters made a big difference.

I think it's great that Minister Pat Bell has started to recognize the importance of protecting Coastal Douglas Fir ecosystems, but he does not go far enough. Friday's announcement means that just six per cent of this threatened ecosystem is protected. This is a far cry from what the plants and animals that call this zone home need to survive. We need an immediate halt to old growth logging in Coastal Douglas Fir zones, and protect key areas of second growth forest to give this ecosystem the time it needs to recover.

Which brings me to the subject of Nanoose Bay Forest , or DL33. This 150 acre forest is arguably the most ecologically important parcel of Coastal Douglas Fir on crown land, and it notably absent from the list of protected areas. Minister Bell says that there "were some mixed views on whether it (Nanoose Bay Forest) was particularly high-value coastal Douglas fir and the conclusion was that it wasn't." I am not sure where Minister Bell is getting his info from, because reports coming from DL33 clearly illustrate otherwise. This forest is home to red-legged tree frogs, cougars, Great Horned Owls, and Bald Eagles. The cool, clear ponds feed the Nanoose River, an important spawning ground for coho and chum salmon.

We've sent a strong message to the province about Vancouver Island's Hometown Forests, and the province has taken a great first step. But Nanoose Bay Forest needs more: we need to act now to save it from the immediate threat of logging.

Please write a letter demanding that Nanoose Bay Forest be protected now.

Thank you for your help,

Tria Donaldson | Pacific Coast Campaigner
Wilderness Committee