Landmark deal sees Canada protect ancient coastal forest from logging

A landmark deal to protect a swathe of forests on Canada’s Pacific coast has been signed. Following decades of protests and negotiations that brought together loggers, natives and environmental activists, an agreement has been signed to ban logging in 85 per cent of the Great Bear Rainforest. It also ends a commercial trophy hunt in the region for a rare white Kermode bear. The Great Bear Rainforest covers 6.4 million hectares from Quadra Island to Alaska.

If we use our traditional knowledge to take care of our lands, waters and resources they will take care of us.

Coastal First Nations chief Marily Slett

The deal was also ratified by 26 aboriginal tribes that live along the Canadian province’s coast, several environmental groups, and five foresty companies. It applies a novel approach to conservation that recognizes the full array of interactions within an ecosystem, including humans. It applies a novel approach to conservation that recognizes the full array of interactions within an ecosystem, including humans.

Canada rainforest