Vancouver Island is a place of unbelievable natural beauty and biodiversity. There are plant and animal species here that are found nowhere else on earth, and rich indigenous cultures have flourished for centuries alongside many of the world’s tallest trees and most bountiful estuaries.

Yet sadly, like much of British Columbia and Canada in general, Vancouver Island has not been properly looked after by industry and government. Yes, some areas are under permanent protection – the Island is home to some spectacular parks which serve as inspiring and powerful examples of what our world could be like.
But these areas are too few and far between. The raw power of the wind and surf on the beaches at Pacific Rim, the thrilling beauty of Strathcona’s glaciated peaks, and the calm grace of the old-growth rainforest in Carmanah-Walbran; these places are polar opposites to much of the rest of the Island, where runaway industrial exploitation has decimated landscapes and ecosystems for the benefit of a few. I believe that to initiate the shift to more sustainable and balanced ways of life, we must have a strong representation of ecosystems as they were before European contact, and that means more protected areas. 

When I joined the Wilderness Committee this spring, I began to work towards the expansion of protected areas on Vancouver Island. I have my own personal favourite places, but the most intimate knowledge about which areas are in greatest need of protection is held by those who live in communities up and down the Island region. The local residents experience these pockets of unprotected wilderness on a daily basis, and I strive to base my campaign activities on the thoughts, advice and needs of these groups and individuals as much as possible. Meeting and working with these people – who range from ordinary concerned citizens to seasoned grassroots activists – is by far the best part of my job.

My work includes participating in the Jordan River Steering Committee, a diverse group of citizens who seek the development of a sustainable community plan for the Juan de Fuca Forest Lands south-west of Victoria. It includes strengthening the partnership between the Wilderness Committee and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, who show outstanding leadership in shifting to more responsible management of their territory in Clayoquot Sound. It also includes networking with dedicated activists on Cortes Island, who are working to stop once and for all the efforts to clearcut the Island’s remaining old growth forests. I hope to continue to work with these allies and many others to preserve and protect the parts of Vancouver Island that matter most.

On a national level, the environmental movement has fallen under attack by recent federal legislation. I believe the timing is critical to protect what we have here on the coast before it’s too late. The wilderness areas on British Columbia’s coast have inspired and united citizen activists for generations, and I believe the protection of these areas (and places like them) is vital to the strength of environmentalism in general.

I’d love to hear from anyone with thoughts, advice or criticism, as I strive to speak for Vancouver Island’s wild places and all who care about them.

Torrance Coste
Vancouver Island Campaigner

Photo: Torrance and his dog at the San Juan Spruce – Canada's largest Sitka spruce tree.