Tag Archives: Gary Merkel

Forests, Indigenous Nations

Indigenous Peoples are more protective of forests and biodiversity, study finds

A new UBC led study of 111 peer-reviewed papers found that forests and biodiversity are better, or at least equally, protected if they are managed by Indigenous peoples. Between 2005 and 2012, vegetation loss in native areas of the Brazilian Amazon was 17 times lower. In Australia, 60% of the nation’s 1,574 threatened species were found on Indigenous lands. In the United States, Indigenous lands harbour more mature trees and higher tree volume. Close to two-thirds of the articles noted that Indigenous peoples were themselves threatened, and some offered suggestions to either provide resources or strengthen their tenure over the land. While little of the material dealt with British Columbia, lead author William Nikolakis has worked with First Nations in the Interior and was prepared to comment.   

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Forests

Mosaic defers logging of old-growth on Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii

By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

British Columbia’s largest private landowner, Mosaic Forest Management, is halting logging in nearly 100,000 acres of old-growth forest for the next 25 years.

The forestry company announced the deferral on March 16 and said it’s transitioning to a carbon credit program, which is expected to generate several hundred million dollars in revenue. 

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Forests

The Quadra Project: Challenging the way people think about forestry

Prior to embarking upon a literary career in 1985, Ray Grigg taught English, literary history, fine arts and comparative world religions in British Columbia’s High School system. Since then, he has written a long list of books on Taoism, Zen and environmental issues. Grigg was also the author of a column called ‘Shades of Green,’ which ran in the Campbell River Courier-Islander for 15 years. A little over half a year ago, he started writing a series of articles called ‘the Quadra Project.’

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Forests, Indigenous Nations

Do clearcuts contribute to BC’s flooding?

By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Thousands of British Columbians remain displaced following a series of devastating floods and landslides that have swallowed highway roads and entire cities in the southern part of the province.

The floods prompted British Columbia to declare its third state of emergency this year on Nov. 17. The devastation was triggered by an atmospheric river that carried rainfall two times the average amount within a 72-hour period.

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Forests

BC’s new old-growth advisory panel

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Environmentalists struggling to save diminishing ancient forests on Canada’s West Coast are hopeful after B.C. announced a new old-growth advisory panel staffed by respected foresters and scientists.

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