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Almost half of Haida Gwaii, otherwise known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, is now protected following the announcement this week that a land use agreement had been reached between the Haida Nation and the province of B.C. The agreement led by the Haida extends protection to an additional 254,000 hectares, doubling the area currently protected on Haida Gwaii. The islands will also be managed by a system that will ensure the long term ecological health of the rainforest and which applies lighter touch logging practices so that the forest is sustained over time and not destroyed.
"The network of protected areas and the full implementation of an ecologically-based management system on Haida Gwaii will improve the integrity of the ecology while at the same time be good for people with the development of an economy based on conservation, " said Stephanie Goodwin, Greenpeace forest campaigner.
A significant side bar to the agreement is the signing of an understanding on economic development that will benefit all Island communities, including residents who are not Haida. It sets certain priorities for ensuring that a collaborative approach is taken to diversify the economy and reduce dependency on the forest industry.
"The Haida Gwaii is truly one of the world's most precious places. This Haida agreement, which Greenpeace supports, plays a vital role in preserving both the rich natural resources of this archipelago of more than 150 islands, as well as the vibrate culture of the people who live on this magical land,” said Goodwin.
After years of campaigning by Greenpeace and other environmental groups, an historic agreement was reached in February of 2006 to protect the Great Bear Rainforest, which consists of one-quarter of the world's remaining temperate rainforest. It set aside two million hectares that are permanently protected from logging and gave greater control over much of their traditional territory to First Nations. Last year, $120 million in funding was announced to develop a new economy based on conservation.
