Saving an ancient forest for the enjoyment of present and future residents is a passion project for a local eco-activist.
UNBC professor Darwyn Coxson, co-author of the recent book British Columbia's Inland Rainforest: Ecology, Conservation and Management, will present the public with the case he is making to government for protection of the Ancient Forest off Highway 16 East, halfway between Prince George and McBride. He would like to see the Upper Fraser cedar stands designated a World Heritage Site.
"Emerging research has highlighted the significance of ancient western red cedar stands within the upper Fraser River watershed as rare forest types," Coxson said. "Historically, ancient cedar stands were found in greatest abundance where mountain slopes flatten out as they reach the valley bottom. Abundant groundwater and wet soils in these sites provided protection from fires and sustained trees during dry summers. Unfortunately, inland temperate rainforest landscapes have been heavily impacted by human activities, from construction of hydroelectric reservoirs to placement of road and rail corridors and logging."
According to Coxson, ancient cedar stands represent less than four per cent of the Upper Fraser River watershed's biogeoclimatic zone east of Prince George and less than 100 hectares of this unique ecosystem has government protection.
"Our research suggests that the cultural and biological values represented by these sites would fully meet criteria for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage site," Coxson said. "This designation would not only recognize the cultural and biological heritage these sites contain, but would have widespread benefits for diversification of the regional economy, building on the regional tourist attraction that has already developed at the site of the Ancient Forest trail."
He will present his research, and the argument for the UNESCO designation, at a public meeting on May 23 at 7 p.m. in the B.C. Parks building located at 4051-18th Avenue. The Prince George Naturalist Club is helping promote this event for public discussion and awareness.
