Ursus River--photo by Adrian Dorst
In 2003, a study by Global Forest Watch Canada revealed that Clayoquot Sound contains the largest intact forest remaining on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia -- a region that has been devastated by logging for more than 150 years.
What is an "intact forest"?
An intact forest is one that is free from human disturbance (e.g. by logging, mining, etc.) and
is considered large enough to sustain viable populations of native species (like wolves and cougars).
Clayoquot Sound has long been known to contain one of the most spectacular forests on Vancouver
Island, but this research confirms both the uniqueness and the critical importance of Clayoquot's
rainforest to the native biodiversity of the entire Island.
Pristine valleys
The heart of Clayoquot's intact forest is composed of a series of undisturbed, or "pristine", valleys. Many of
these valleys are unprotected. Large valleys like the Sydney, Pretty Girl, Ursus and the Upper Bulson stand
majestically as they have for thousands of years, and are cradled by smaller but equally important stretches
of wilderness like Satchie and Hesquiat Lake Creeks. In the ocean channels lie impressive islands carpeted
in old-growth forest, like Flores and Meares Islands. Fishermen regularly report seeing cougars, bears, and
deer swimming from shore to shore in search of food. Together, these islands and valleys offer native wildlife
on Vancouver Island their best chance to survive and thrive for countless generations to come. Yet logging
continually diminishes Clayoquot's intact forest, threatening its capacity to sustain wildlife.
Click on the following to learn more about the Pristine Valleys in Clayoquot's intact old-growth forest:
FOCS generates this one-page summary annually, to show the state of temperate rainforest both globally and locally. Topics:
See the factsheet on this page.
Using mostly original research and 15 years of our ForestWatch files, FOCS has written Overview of Logging in Clayoquot Sound: 2000–2009, with 8 photos and 10 maps. The report provides a one-stop synopsis of logging in Clayoquot for locals and the public, written in accessible language and including background prior to 2000.
Topics covered include: how much forest exists in Clayoquot, which logging companies operate here, how much wood they cut, what their logging looks like, and more.
The report has inserts updating it to April 2010. Thanks to the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust for partially funding this project.
Access the full report, including maps, at this page
PO Box 489, 331 Neill St., Tofino BC V0R 2Z0
250-725-4218 info@focs.ca
Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Corporate watch
Report: Overview of Logging in Clayoquot Sound 2000-2009 (download page)
Maps
Backgrounders
Historical overview
Photo by Adrian Dorst
The health of the global environment depends on intact ecosystems. It is our responsibility to
act as peaceful and courageous advocates for marine and terrestrial life in Clayoquot Sound.
Please join us!