Category Archives: 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.’

Continue reading The Quadra Project: Challenging the way people think about forestry

A brief history of Cortes, Forestry and Mosaic

(De Clarke produced the audio version of this story, which is part of the March 15th Cortes Currents broadcast.)

The people living on this island have had a long and deep history with its forests. First Nation people lived here at least 4,000 years ago with new research pushing that date back to 10,000 years and perhaps even more.

In 1896 the first European settlers arrived and began clearing the forest for their homesteads. By the 1920’s, there were 120 families on this island making a living from logging so that by the 40’s and 50’s, much of the easily accessible old growth forests were already fallen. Today on any walk in the woods, you can still see those massive, ancient stumps.

Continue reading A brief history of Cortes, Forestry and Mosaic

Mosaic wants to harvest 6 times more per hectare than the Cortes Community Forest rate, Ellingsen says

One of the founding directors of the Cortes Community Forest Co-operative says Mosaic Forest Management is proposing to harvest its lands on Cortes at a rate that is roughly six times greater than what the island residents are accustomed to. 

Continue reading Mosaic wants to harvest 6 times more per hectare than the Cortes Community Forest rate, Ellingsen says

Without deferrals, these five timber companies could decide the fate of B.C.’s old-growth forests

Editor’s Note: Island Timberlands, which owns just under 9% of Cortes Island, primarily operates in southern Vancouver Island. It has smaller logging areas in northern Vancouver Island, Read Island, the Sunshine Coast and Haida Gwaii. Mosaic Forest Management oversees its logging operations, as well those of another Vancouver Island company: TimberWest. They are included among the ‘other companies’ in the chart below.

By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Five big timber companies hold the future of nearly half of British Columbia’s at-risk old-growth forests in their hands, according to a new report.

Continue reading Without deferrals, these five timber companies could decide the fate of B.C.’s old-growth forests

Tla’amin First Nation harvests for the future and cultural values

qathet Living, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

One of Tla’amin Nation’s biggest economic income sources is from its forestry company, Thichum Forest Products.

Continue reading Tla’amin First Nation harvests for the future and cultural values