Canada’s most famous old-growth forest, Cathedral Grove, has been visited by millions of people around the world. Sadly, due to inaction by the BC government, the mountainside above this world-famous grove, Horne Mountain, has been clearcut by Mosaic (previously Island Timberlands). This has fragmented extremely rare and endangered ancient Douglas-fir stands, of which 99% have been logged on the coast of BC, and may adversely impact the park below through increased erosion and siltation.
The destruction of Mt. Horne illustrates the urgent need for the BC government to establish a Provincial Land Acquisition Fund to purchase and protect endangered ecosystems on private lands. Unlike public lands, private lands must be purchased at market value to be protected. Thankfully, the old-growth forests remaining here are now deferred for at least the next 25 years through Mosaic’s BigCoast Forest Climate Initiative.
Take action by sending an instant message to protect old-growth forests.
Photography by TJ Watt.
