Highlights
Delays in final implementation of GBR Agreements creating ecological uncertainty
February 12, 2020 - On the fourth anniversary of the landmark Great Bear Rainforest Agreements, environmental organizations are warning that the implementation of remaining key protection measures for the region’s coastal temperate old-growth rainforests are significantly delayed. Greenpeace, Sierra Club BC, and Stand.earth are calling on governments and the major logging companies to address the delays, especially in light of the climate and biodiversity crises.
Logging plans in the Phillips watershed in the southern Great Bear Rainforest
May 26, 2017 - Greenpeace, Sierra Club BC and Stand.earth, collectively known as Rainforest Solutions Project (RSP), acknowledge the Kwiakah First Nation’s Indigenous rights and title. We expect the BC government and Western Forest Products (WFP) to seek agreement in the Phillips watershed with the Nation consistent with their Indigenous rights and title and the requirements for meaningful First Nations consultation found in the Great Bear Rainforest Agreements Land Use Order (GBRO) proclaimed February 1, 2016.
Great Bear Rainforest Progress Update: 1rst Anniversary of the Legal and Policy Framework
February 1, 2017 - February 1, 2017 marks one year since the announcement of the Great Bear Rainforest Legal and Policy Framework
B.C. Groups Win Prestigious Buckminster Fuller Award for Role in Safeguarding Great Bear Rainforest
October 5, 2016 - Fuller Challenge Award 2016 goes to Rainforest Solutions Project, a project of Tides Canada Initiative with Greenpeace, Stand.earth and Sierra Club BC
Final Agreement Will Permanently Safeguard 85 Percent of Great Bear Rainforest
February 1, 2016 - Today First Nations governments and the BC government, with the support of ForestEthics Solutions, Greenpeace, Sierra Club BC and five forestry companies, announced the fulfilment of the Great Bear Rainforest Agreements. Eighty-five percent (3.1 million hectares) of the remote wilderness region’s coastal temperate rainforests are now permanently off-limits to industrial logging. The remaining 15 percent (550,000 hectares) of the forest will be subject to the most stringent commercial logging legal standards in North America. First Nations oversight of their lands has been strengthened and new community development opportunities negotiated as a result of the government-to-government implementation process.
Only half of Great Bear Rainforest off-limits to logging, 6 years after historic agreement
February 7, 2012 - Today marks the sixth anniversary of the Great Bear Rainforest Agreements, an initiative that was lauded across B.C. and around the world for its commitment to preserve this rare rainforest. But instead of celebrating, environmental groups are warning that current rules still allow logging in 50 per cent of the Great Bear Rainforest.
TimberWest logging threatens Great Bear Rainforest Solution
June 28, 2011 - ForestEthics, Greenpeace and Sierra Club BC released photos today that show increased TimberWest logging activity in the southern part of the Great Bear Rainforest is jeopardizing success of the conservation model that was established to protect the area. The forests where TimberWest operates are already the hardest hit and the least protected in the region.
Premier Clark: Protect the Great Bear Rainforest, urge conservation groups from three continents
April 1, 2011 - Environmental organizations working to protect tropical rainforests around the equator have asked the British Columbia government to take the necessary steps to protect the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, as announced on March 31, 2009. The letter comes on the second anniversary of the signing of the landmark Great Bear Rainforest Agreements, and serves as a reminder to the new premier that there is still much work left to be done.
First Nations receive Real Estate Foundation of BC Award for Great Bear Rainforest Agreements
November 19, 2010 - First Nations governments whose territories cover the Great Bear Rainforest — the Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative and the Nanwakolas Council — have received the prestigious Land Award from the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia. The Great Bear Rainforest First Nations have been leaders of a landmark initiative that has already seen two million hectares protected, initial changes made to logging practices to increase conservation and first steps taken in restoring community well-being.
Critical Species in the Great Bear Rainforest Falling Through the Cracks
March 5, 2010 - A new report, entitled “Slipping Through the Cracks? The Fate of Focal Species in the Great Bear Rainforest”, was released by Greenpeace, ForestEthics and Sierra Club BC. The report shows there is still a risk of extinction for a number of important species of conservation concern, including grizzly bears, marbled murrelets, mountain goats, northern goshawks and tailed frogs.
Group of Companies Receive International Eco-certification in the Great Bear Rainforest
December 11, 2009 - Nearly one million hectares of temperate rainforest have been newly certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in BC's Great Bear Rainforest. The forest companies who have been newly certified are Western Forest Products, Interfor, and BC Timber Sales. As buyers of wood products from the forest, Catalyst Paper and Howe Sound Pulp and Paper supported the certification process for the companies.
Promise to Protect Great Bear Rainforest Becomes Reality – Five Year Plan in Place
March 31, 2009 - The promise made three years ago to protect one-third of British Columbia’s globally unique Great Bear Rainforest and develop the foundations for a conservation-based economy in the region has been fulfilled. The announcement lays out the tremendous ecological and economic gains for the region and the long-term commitment to ensure the health of the rainforest and communities.
New Report Shows Great Bear Rainforest a Safe Carbon Storehouse
March 3, 2009 - A new report released by Greenpeace, Forest Ethics, And Sierra Club BC concludes that an ‘ecosystem based’ approach to logging in the Great Bear Rainforest would maintain old growth forest with approximately 108 million tons of carbon storage, and shows that British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest not only stores massive amounts of carbon per hectare, but is also well positioned to withstand some of the effects of climate change because of its old growth forest and location.
High Risk Areas in the Great Bear Rainforest Require Action
April 1, 2008 - ForestEthics, Sierra Club BC and Greenpeace have collectively released a report with new scientific analysis that shows critical ecosystems are at high risk in the Great Bear Rainforest. The data shows a clear gap between the current state of conservation and full ecosystem health for the region.
WWF Gift to the Earth Award
May 10, 2007 - ForestEthics, Greenpeace and Sierra Club of BC, along with coastal First Nations, several logging companies and BC Premier Gordon Campbell accepted the World Wildlife Fund’s international Gift to the Earth Award for their collaborative work on a conservation plan for BC’s Great Bear Rainforest.
Groundbreaking Great Bear Rainforest Agreement Secures $120 million
January 21, 2007 - Environmental groups welcomed the federal government's announcement that it will add $30M to complete a $120M groundbreaking conservation management & economic development initiative.
BC Commits to Legislate Protection of 2 Million Hectares of Great Bear Rainforest
February 7, 2006 - A coalition of three leading environmental groups, along with industry leaders and indigenous groups, announced success after a decade long campaign to protect the globally unique Great Bear Rainforest. The long awaited government announcement sets the stage to protect one third of the Great Bear Rainforest from all logging and will require the use of more sustainable logging practices for the remaining area.
Huge Victory for Canada’s Rainforests: Environmentalists Vow to Suspend Markets Campaign
April 1, 2001 - Conservationists won a major victory today as government endorsed an historic agreement between environmentalists, First Nations, logging companies and communities on British Columbia's Central and North coast rainforests, known as the Great Bear Rainforest.