Cortes Island is a northern Gulf Island between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland in Klahoose territory. It is home to some of the last 1% of old-growth Douglas-fir groves within the endangered “Dry Maritime” forests along the southern coast of BC. These are some of the most extensive remaining stands and are privately owned by Mosaic Forest Management (formerly Island Timberlands). For decades, local residents have opposed the logging of these ancient and mature forests and other sensitive ecosystems.
As of 2023, this forest may have been deferred from logging as part of Mosaic’s BigCoast Forest Carbon Initiative. This is a positive step forward. Ultimately, a Provincial Land Acquisition Fund is needed to purchase and permanently protect endangered ecosystems on private lands. More broadly, stronger environmental regulations are needed for Privately Managed Forest Lands in BC.
Take action by sending an instant message to protect old-growth forests.
Photography by TJ Watt.
