We're losing forests fast

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Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00

Written by editor

While we wait for deferrals, old-growth logging has continued at a furious pace

Friends,

We're angry.

Last month the BC NDP government committed to defering logging in 2.6 million hectares of old growth, pending approval from First Nations. After taking 18 months to make their announcement, the province gave First Nations just 30 days to approve the deferrals. They also didn't provide any support to offset potential lost revenue, or resources to help assess possible impacts of deferrals.

From Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of @ubcic:

“The BC NDP government has evaded responsibility and hastily thrown the conflict over old-growth into the laps of Indigenous people, forcing First Nations into an impossible situation.

While chainsaws are still roaring and old-growth forests continue to fall, First Nations must confront multiple, complex challenges around resourcing conservation and safeguarding their livelihoods."

Since the BC NDP's announcement of proposed logging deferrals on November 2, old-growth logging has continued at a furious pace.

Wilderness Committee mapping reveals that logging companies are using the 30-day deadline period for First Nations to cut as many of these areas as possible. At least 50,000 hectares targeted for deferral have been either approved for logging, are pending approval, or have already been logged.

Again from Grand Chief Stewart Phillips: "Premier John Horgan needs to quit stalling and show some courage on this pressing issue. That means immediately deferring logging in at-risk old-growth while resourcing communities to pursue permanent protection.”

On the front lines of Ada’itsx, the RCMP continue to use excessive force against Indigenous land defenders and forest protector allies.

Rainbow Eyes, a longtime forest defender from the Da'naxda'xw-Awaetlala First Nation, was at Roadside on the edge of the injunction zone last week eating some food in the kitchen when she was chased by seven RCMP and aggressively arrested for ‘breach of conditions.' Rainbow Eyes was held in jail for two days and is currently under house arrest.

Ancient trees are falling daily in the area of what was once Heli Camp. Eden Grove and other ancient forests in Ada’itsx/Greater Fairy Creek are at immediate risk.

Meanwhile, we're still waiting on the BC Court of Appeal decision regarding extending the Teal-Jones injunction. We'll update you as soon as we hear anything.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

▻ Come to camp. We're still maintaining a winter presence at Land Back Main (formerly Granite Main), though our numbers are low and we'd love extra boots on the ground. If you're thinking about coming up to camp, bringing food and firewood to share is helpful. Experience in police liasoning and de-escalation are key right now while numbers are lower. Those of us on the frontline are determined to stop any old growth logging we can this winter and we'd love your help.

▻ Donate directly to one of our land defenders - Many of us need more gear and supplies to stay safe through the winter.

▻ Donate to our legal fund - this is the official fundraiser for the blockade, and helps cover our legal actions and legal defense for arrestees.

▻ Attend an event in your area or organize a solidarity action of your own.

▻ Keep the pressure up on Premier Horgan and your MLAs. Demand a full moratorium on old growth logging with conservation financing for First Nations. Our forests need permanent protection. Some good news for old growth

The B.C. government has set aside plans to log 14 old growth cut blocks in or near Argonaut Creek following pressure from conservation groups, scientists and the public. The proposed cut blocks include critical habitat for an endangered caribou herd in an old-growth valley north of Revelstoke.

The government agreed to halt most proposed logging in the Argonaut Valley until the planning process for the deep-snow Columbia North caribou herd, the largest herd left in the Kootenays, is complete.

Elected officials received more than 3,000 letters asking them to stop Argonaut Valley logging, after conservation groups drew attention to the cut blocks early this fall. Public pressure works.

From the Narwhal: ‘A huge win’: B.C. government suspends logging in endangered caribou habitat near Revelstoke

More In the News

Dec 6, National Observer, Seniors arrested as Fairy Creek blockade digs in for winter

Dec 6, The Chilliwack Progress, Nelson ecologist questions B.C.’s roll-out of old growth strategy —an important article by Rachel Holt, the lead scientist on the Old-Growth Technical Review Panel

Dec 5, Focus on Victoria, Celebrating, Grieving and Fighting for Earth’s Species, an account by Grace Golightly of the Rise Up for the Fallen event and details of the many species at risk.

Dec 5, Times-Colonist, The Islander Mother Nature has shown us that 'business as usual' is a disaster

Dec 4, Globe & Mail, The age of unrest: Canada’s failure to properly manage protests threatens democracy and the rule of law

Dec 3, National Observer, B.C.’s at-risk old growth still on the chopping block

Dec 2, Wilderness Committee, New mapping shows approved or pending logging permits in at least 50,000 hectares of BC’s target deferral area

Dec 2, Rainforest Flying Squad press release, Elders from Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands arrested at Fairly Creek

Dec 2, Times Colonist Huu-ay-aht First Nations agree to old-growth logging deferral

Dec 2, The Free Press, B.C. government falling short with old-growth forest protection, say Indigenous leaders — 30-day limit to respond to old growth deferral inadequate, says grand chief and union

Dec 2, Capital Daily, Some of the old-growth in possible deferral zones has already been logged Podcast with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Torrance Coste of the Wilderness Committee

Dec 2, Dogwood, Welcome to Beautiful British Columbia satirical video (44 sec)

Dec 1, Sierra Club, Thirty days milestone shows B.C.’s old-growth intentions require immediate funding

Dec 1, UBCIC News Release First Nations and TAP Member Demand Faster Action and Adequate Resources to Protect Old-Growth Forests

Nov 30, The Guardian, A powerful and underappreciated ally in the climate crisis? Fungi

Nov 30, Canadian Press, Progress report says Nova Scotia still clear-cutting too much of its forests

Nov 29, iPolitics, In BC It’s Time to Move beyond our Timber Centric Thinking Photo credits: Mike Graeme and Colin Smith We're honoured to do this work as guests on traditional territory of the Pacheedaht and Ditidaht First Nations. We work with utmost respect for the land and all its relations, human and nonhuman. Please help us by forwarding this newsletter to any friends or family you feel would like to be involved or learn more. They can join our list here.

About Us

Were a volunteer driven, grassroots direct-action campaign to protect the last stands of globally significant ancient temperate rainforest in British Columbia. We stand in solidarity with Elder Bill Jones of the Pacheedaht Nation. This movement is also grateful for the guidance and support of future Hereditary Chief of Pacheedaht and Ditidaht, Victor Peter, and Pacheedaht band member Whale Tail Jones. We hold our hands up to the many Chiefs and Elders from other territories and Nations who have visited and shown support and solidarity.

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