As dusk settles over the forest, the hum of mosquitoes fills the air, and towering cedars, some more than two meters in diameter, stand silent, their trunks wrapped in “car straps.” These strong green cords are the last measure to protect these ancient giants from the inevitable impact of chainsaws, which will soon fell them. The sound of their fall is nothing short of colossal.
Eddie Petryshen, Conservation Specialist at Wildsight, is reaching out to ask for your help in protecting the old and ancient stands of British Columbia’s Inland Temperate Rainforest. “In just two minutes, you could help shape the future of these forests,” Petryshen writes. “Will you take action today?”
Each of these towering cedars is more than just a tree; they are entire ecosystems. The dry bark of these trees is dotted with tiny pin lichens, while the damp areas house rare oceanic lichens that reveal how high the snowline can reach in these forests. Inside the trees, hollow spaces provide shelter for birds, bats, and even wintering bears.
Petryshen shares the feeling of being one of the last to stand among these ancient trees, knowing that the chainsaws are already on their way. “There’s something heartbreaking about knowing these trees are soon to be lost,” he says.
Drawing inspiration from American activist Mariame Kaba, Petryshen encourages us to view hope as a practice—a belief that, even in the face of ecological destruction, we can still change the future.
“Despite promises from the B.C. government to protect old-growth forests, what I see in the field is the opposite. Old-growth forests continue to be felled,” Petryshen notes. “It’s time to act. These forests need protection now.”
How You Can Help
In just two minutes, you can send a pre-written message to Premier Eby, urging the government to take immediate action to protect these irreplaceable forests.
The ancient stands of B.C.’s Inland Temperate Rainforest are worth saving. These trees are not only majestic in size; they are essential to the health of our ecosystems. By sending your message, you can help protect these natural cathedrals before they are lost forever.
Click here to send your message to Premier Eby and make your voice heard in the fight to protect B.C.’s Inland Temperate Rainforest.
Photos: Bailey Repp
