forestry

TJ Watt stands beside a giant red cedar tree, left, before (in September of 2021) and after (in May of 2022) it was cut in an old-growth forest in the Caycuse watershed in Ditidaht First Nation territory on Vancouver Island, B.C. in this combination handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, TJ Watt

Giant trees still fall amid old-growth funding lag for B.C. First Nations

Funding is intended to give First Nations a means of pursuing revenue sources outside of forestry

TJ Watt stands beside a giant red cedar tree, left, before (in September of 2021) and after (in May of 2022) it was cut in an old-growth forest in the Caycuse watershed in Ditidaht First Nation territory on Vancouver Island, B.C. in this combination handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, TJ Watt
University of British Columbia post-doctoral fellow Yeling Zhu shows samples of biofoam, a biodegradable packing foam made from wood waste, in a Nov. 5, 2022, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-UBC, Lou Bosshart

B.C. scientists and First Nation create decomposing ‘biofoam’ packaging from wood

Biodegradable material could replace Styrofoam, which currently fills up to 30 per cent of landfills

University of British Columbia post-doctoral fellow Yeling Zhu shows samples of biofoam, a biodegradable packing foam made from wood waste, in a Nov. 5, 2022, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-UBC, Lou Bosshart
The Timber Licence in question was located up Loughborough Inlet. Photo courtesy Google Maps

Fine for illegal cedar harvesting in Great Bear Rainforest increased more than tenfold

Penalty increased to $131,000 to act as deterrent, prevent profit from proceeds of a crime

The Timber Licence in question was located up Loughborough Inlet. Photo courtesy Google Maps
Biologist Rosie Wijenberg at a grove of eight western red cedars in the Russell Creek area of the West Kootenay. These trees are temporarily protected from logging because they are in an old growth deferral area. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Finding the Kootenays’ biggest trees: Biologist mapping the region’s forest giants

But only timber companies may nominate trees for a new provincial list of protected trees

Biologist Rosie Wijenberg at a grove of eight western red cedars in the Russell Creek area of the West Kootenay. These trees are temporarily protected from logging because they are in an old growth deferral area. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
A logging truck arrives at Skeena Sawmills in Terrace last November. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)

Skeena Sawmills in Terrace cuts production amid high cost of logging

Union not yet sure how many workers affected

A logging truck arrives at Skeena Sawmills in Terrace last November. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)
Larry Spencer, right, has been involved in the logging industry for 45 years. He attended a rally Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in Port Alberni backing loggers and their stance against the B.C. government’s recent two-year deferral of old-growth logging. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

New B.C. council aims to build resiliency in forestry communities

Council will include voices of forestry workers

Larry Spencer, right, has been involved in the logging industry for 45 years. He attended a rally Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in Port Alberni backing loggers and their stance against the B.C. government’s recent two-year deferral of old-growth logging. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut from a cut block near the “heli camp” in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C., Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. A new analysis suggests Canada is underestimating greenhouse gas emissions from forestry, which it says equal those from Alberta’s oilsands in some years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Carbon emissions from forestry masked by government accounting, says report

Federal figures suggest emissions from harvesting almost balanced by carbon absorption from regrowth

Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut from a cut block near the “heli camp” in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C., Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. A new analysis suggests Canada is underestimating greenhouse gas emissions from forestry, which it says equal those from Alberta’s oilsands in some years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Floodwaters cover Ray Chipeniuk’s driveway near Smithers, B.C. in this 2018 handout photo. Lawyers for the British Columbia government have agreed to pay $300,000 to settle a lawsuit by Chipeniuk and his wife whose property flooded after a third of the forest in the surrounding watershed was cut down. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Ray Chipeniuk *MANDATORY CREDIT*

B.C. agrees to pay $300,000 to Smithers couple who say logging flooded their property

2014 suit claimed B.C. was negligent in ensuring couple’s property would not be damaged by logging

Floodwaters cover Ray Chipeniuk’s driveway near Smithers, B.C. in this 2018 handout photo. Lawyers for the British Columbia government have agreed to pay $300,000 to settle a lawsuit by Chipeniuk and his wife whose property flooded after a third of the forest in the surrounding watershed was cut down. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Ray Chipeniuk *MANDATORY CREDIT*
A demonstrator who showed up outside the B.C. legislature on Oct. 3, the first day of the fall session, to call for an end to old-growth logging. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Old-growth forest supporters greet MLAs at B.C. legislature ahead of fall session

Groups calling for an end to all logging in the old-growth ecosystems

A demonstrator who showed up outside the B.C. legislature on Oct. 3, the first day of the fall session, to call for an end to old-growth logging. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
A Kermode bear, better know as the Spirit Bear is seen fishing in the Riordan River on Gribbell Island in the Great Bear Rainforest, B.C. on Sept, 18, 2013. The worsening effects of climate change are compounding the historical loss of B.C.’s old-growth forests, says the co-author of a new paper that shows decades of logging on the province’s central coast targeted the highest-value forests first. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. study links policy changes and logging patterns, shows targeting of old growth

Paper demonstrates how the logging industry targeted most profitable forests first

A Kermode bear, better know as the Spirit Bear is seen fishing in the Riordan River on Gribbell Island in the Great Bear Rainforest, B.C. on Sept, 18, 2013. The worsening effects of climate change are compounding the historical loss of B.C.’s old-growth forests, says the co-author of a new paper that shows decades of logging on the province’s central coast targeted the highest-value forests first. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Softwood lumber is pictured in Richmond, B.C., Tuesday, April 25, 2017. Canfor Corp. is temporarily cutting production in British Columbia due to what it says are challenging market conditions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Canfor temporarily reducing production capacity in B.C. due to market conditions

Lumber producer says it is taking a two-week curtailment at a majority of its mills

Softwood lumber is pictured in Richmond, B.C., Tuesday, April 25, 2017. Canfor Corp. is temporarily cutting production in British Columbia due to what it says are challenging market conditions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Ancient Forest Alliance campaigner and photographer TJ Watt stands next to a giant Sitka spruce in the Mossome Grove near Port Renfrew. (TJ Watt photo)

B.C. failing to meet promised benchmarks to transform old-growth logging

Province promised to follow through on 14 recommendations 2 years ago

  • Sep 12, 2022
Ancient Forest Alliance campaigner and photographer TJ Watt stands next to a giant Sitka spruce in the Mossome Grove near Port Renfrew. (TJ Watt photo)
A logging road being built. (File poto)

Skeena region timber businesses amiss on road and fire safety: watchdog

Forestry audit covers Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, New Aiyansh and Stewart

A logging road being built. (File poto)
A Save Old Growth supporter sits atop the Victoria visitor centre Aug. 9 in a protest against old-growth logging in B.C. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Topless demonstrator perches on B.C. rooftop to expose need for ‘dramatic change’

Save Old Growth supporter launches downtown Victoria protest to end all old-growth logging

A Save Old Growth supporter sits atop the Victoria visitor centre Aug. 9 in a protest against old-growth logging in B.C. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Save Old Growth announced its impending return to action with a series of vandalism across Vancouver July 28. On Aug. 2, the group ran its first traffic blockade in a month near Stanley Park. (Save Old Growth website/screenshot)

Save Old Growth resumes B.C. traffic disruptions with Vancouver blockade

Environmental group back in action after 1 month pause

Save Old Growth announced its impending return to action with a series of vandalism across Vancouver July 28. On Aug. 2, the group ran its first traffic blockade in a month near Stanley Park. (Save Old Growth website/screenshot)
Ecologist Greg Utzig in an area of old growth cedar-hemlock forest near Nelson that is not in an Old Growth Management Area and which therefore could be logged any time. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Kootenay forest management ignores old growth protection, two experts say

Some younger forest is protected as old growth, while much actual old growth is not protected

Ecologist Greg Utzig in an area of old growth cedar-hemlock forest near Nelson that is not in an Old Growth Management Area and which therefore could be logged any time. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
A pair of U.S. senators say tariff relief on imports from Canada would take inflationary pressure off the U.S. housing market. (file)

Let’s make a deal with Canada on softwood, U.S. senators urge Biden administration

About 30 per cent of the timber used in the U.S. comes from Canada

A pair of U.S. senators say tariff relief on imports from Canada would take inflationary pressure off the U.S. housing market. (file)
Softwood lumber is pictured along the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C., Tuesday, April 25, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

West Fraser Timber shuts down takeover report; shares spike

Company says it has not received a proposal and there are no ongoing discussions

Softwood lumber is pictured along the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C., Tuesday, April 25, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation will have exclusive timber harvesting rights to an estimated 217,312 hectares within the Nation’s territories east of Prince George (contributed photo).

217,000-hectare deal near Prince George creates B.C.’s largest First Nations woodland

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation license will see greater forest stewardship benefits and harvesting rights

The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation will have exclusive timber harvesting rights to an estimated 217,312 hectares within the Nation’s territories east of Prince George (contributed photo).
The proposed cedar grove protected area is outlined in red. It is located at the north end of the Duncan Lake reservoir. Map: Valhalla Wilderness Society

Petition asks for protection of ancient cedars at Duncan Lake

Some of the trees are over 1,000 years old and one is 2,100 years old

The proposed cedar grove protected area is outlined in red. It is located at the north end of the Duncan Lake reservoir. Map: Valhalla Wilderness Society