Dear Minister Bruce Ralston

I have around 2200 people signed the following petition:

Canada's West Coast is down to less than 2% of large, ancient old growth trees which are an integral part of a priceless ecosystem. Scientists call it home to immeasurable biodiversity. Old growth forests are one of the last clean watersheds and are key to fighting climate change, rising temperatures, desertification, wild fires and saving endangered species.

These species hold the answer to survival of nature and thus humanity as well as continued future economic prosperity.

In a TED TALK, renowned mycologist Paul Stamets lists 6 ways the mycelium fungus found in Old Growth forests, can help save the universe, which include: cleaning polluted soil, making insecticides, treating smallpox and even flu viruses. 

The province of British Columbia's economy has long been one of resource extraction. In order to keep a healthy forest industry for future generations, the forests must be protected, as renewable forestry is the only way forward. Since the 1970's scientists have been sounding the warning that the forests are finite. Once the old growth is gone, the landscape is forever changed and precious biodiversity lost.

For the sake of a healthy economy, forest companies must transition to long term, sustainable tree farming practices, including only harvesting trees from second and third growth forests. The writing has been on the wall for many years, so stating that the transition is too costly is completely short sighted and an unacceptable excuse. 

If this is not done, within the next few short years the old growth forest will have been destroyed for a quick buck. Forestry will need to transition to sustainable practices anyway, but with the biodiversity lost, tree farming will be less and less successful and eventually unviable, thereby devastating an important part of the BC economy. 

Due to increased public awareness and subsequent pressure, the BC Government conducted an extensive Old Growth Strategic Review by an independent scientific panel and came up with 14 specific recommendations deemed necessary to save the old growth. According to the review, while there may be debate about how much old forest we have and where, there is a near-unanimous agreement that managing and protecting ecosystems for forests with old trees provides many benefits. 

https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/563/2020/09/STRATEGIC-REVIEW-20200430.pdf

We, the undersigned are urging Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Regional Development Minister Katrine Conroy and the Government of British Columbia to implement all 14 recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review as an urgent priority in the new mandate.