"Today we have secured the largest integrated conservation
investment package in North American history" said Amanda Carr of
Greenpeace. "Once again all eyes are on Canada's Great Bear
Rainforest and our innovative, precedent-setting approach to
protecting the environment."
The funds have been awaited since last February's announcement
of the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement, which includes protection
of over two million hectares of coastal temperate rainforest. The
contribution secures an additional and unprecedented $60 million
pledged by private Canadian and US donors, as well as $30 million
promised by the British Columbia provincial government.
"The challenges of our age require innovative approaches that
place a premium on a healthy environment. With today's announcement
we're proving that conservation can attract investment and actually
support jobs that won't threaten the living systems that we depend
upon," said Merran Smith, BC Coast Program Director,
ForestEthics.
"Today's announcement completes the holistic model of
conservation in the Great Bear Rainforest," said Lisa Matthaus,
Campaigns Director, Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter. "Coastal
communities can finally move forward to create meaningful,
sustainable solutions for their people and the environment they
depend upon."
Private funds will flow to a conservation endowment fund,
dedicated solely to conservation management, science and
stewardship jobs in First Nations' communities. Public funds will
be used for investments in ecologically-sustainable business
ventures within First Nations' territories or communities.
Both levels of government, along with private donors, must be
recognized for believing in the potential of this initiative. The
three environmental groups also wish to thank the coastal First
Nations, The Nature Conservancy and all those who worked to make
today's announcement a reality.
The agreement's other components - protection of an area three
times the size of Prince Edward Island and a new approach to
logging called Ecosystem-based Management - will be applied
throughout the region by 2009. Making these agreements real on the
ground and shifting logging practices remains our next big
challenge.
The Great Bear Rainforest, encompassing B.C.'s north and central
coasts and the archipelago of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte
Islands), is the world's largest remaining tract of intact coastal
temperate rainforest. It is home to wolves, cougars, bears and 20
percent of the world's wild salmon population.
For more information, B-roll (Beta) or digital photos, please contact:
Merran Smith, ForestEthics: (604) 816-5636
Lisa Matthaus, Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter: (250)
888-6267
Amanda Carr, Greenpeace: (604) 839-8760
For information from private donors, contact: Ross McMillan,
Tides Canada Foundation: (250) 951-9251