By Cheryl Jahn

Forest policy up for discussion on Saturday

Sep 27, 2024 | 2:58 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Archaic forest practices are taking place under the guise of sustainable forest management in BC, destroying critical forest ecosystems and contributing to exacerbated drought, wildfires, landslides, and unpredictable weather patterns.

The Power of Forests Project, a province-wide coalition of grassroots groups, is calling for a New Forest Act and will unveil its proposal through a series of public workshops in BC throughout September and October. Under the proposed new legislation, the primary objective of forest management will be to maintain the ecological integrity of forest ecosystems.

The New Forest Act also aims to develop stable community-based jobs and local economies that strengthen the larger BC economy.

“Without new legislation, industry is not motivated to shift from an industrial model to an ecological model. By focusing on ecological integrity, BC can conserve the benefits we get from forests and create more jobs in rural communities”, says Jennifer Houghton of the Boundary Forest Watershed Stewardship Society.

“With 55,000 jobs lost in 20 years and all the damage being done, the current forestry system is not worth keeping. Legislation must safeguard the people and nature – our very survival depends on it.”

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“The social license to log primary forest is gone, even in forestry-dependent communities, because there is so little left. We need to start imagining a different future where we can have healthy wildlife populations, natural fire control, and clean water”, says Michelle Connolly, of Conservation North, a volunteer-led group in Prince George. “This is what most people want regardless of their political leanings, and it’s achievable now.”

The Prince George event takes place on Saturday, September 28, 12-3:30pm, at the Canfor Theatre, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC.