Katlum Creek, near Comox Lake in the Alberni Valley in K’omox territory, is home to endangered ancient Douglas-fir stands, as well as old-growth hemlock, amabilis fir, and redcedars. This area was originally supposed to be protected as an Ungulate Winter Range for black-tailed deer, but in 2004, the BC government environmentally deregulated vast sections of private forest lands now owned by Mosaic Forest Management in the region. These include Katlum Creek, Mount Horne by Cathedral Grove, McLaughlin Ridge, the Cameron Valley Ancient Forest, and more.
When these photos were taken in 2014, then-owner Island Timberlands had imminent plans to log the area. As of 2024, the forest has now been deferred from logging for at least 40 years through Mosaic’s BigCoast Forest Climate Initiative. This is a good step forward. Now, it’s up to the BC government to create a Provincial Land Acquisition Fund to help purchase and permanently protect these scarce and valuable old-growth forests found on private lands.
Take action by sending an instant message to protect old-growth forests.
