British Columbia is home to some of the most iconic and ecologically rich forests on the planet. From towering old-growth stands to biodiverse coastal rainforests and alpine ecosystems, these landscapes are more than scenic backdrops, they are critical to biodiversity, water systems, cultural identity, and community safety. Yet, across the province, industrial logging practices continue to reshape these ecosystems at a scale and pace that raises serious concerns about long-term sustainability.
It’s time to look more closely at how current forestry practices, including clearcutting, old-growth logging, and extensive road-building, are affecting not just trees, but wildlife, watersheds, and people. What does “sustainable forestry” actually mean in practice? And are we living up to that promise?
What’s Really Happening in BC’s Forests?
BC markets itself globally as a leader in sustainable forestry, but reality on the ground often tells a different story. Vast areas of forest are still being logged using clearcutting, the practice of removing nearly all trees in a given area. This method is efficient for industry, but ecologically disruptive, replacing diverse forests with monoculture plantations that take decades to recover, if they do at all.
In addition to second-growth harvesting, old-growth forests, some more than 1,000 years old, are still being logged. These ancient forests support species that can’t survive anywhere else, store vast amounts of carbon, and provide irreplaceable cultural and spiritual value, particularly for Indigenous Nations. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Then there’s the growing footprint of logging roads, which carve deep into previously untouched wilderness. These roads don’t just fragment habitat, they also open up access for recreation, hunting, and industry, which increases stress on wildlife and disrupts traditional land uses.
Flooding, Landslides, and Community Risk
Forests also play a crucial role in maintaining healthy watersheds. Tree roots stabilize soil, absorb rainfall, and regulate the flow of water into rivers and streams. When large areas are clearcut, especially on steep slopes, the risk of flooding, erosion, and landslides increases dramatically.
We’ve seen the results firsthand:
- In some BC communities, post-logging landslides have damaged homes and roads.
- Watersheds that supply drinking water have experienced sediment pollution and fluctuating water levels.
- Warmer stream temperatures due to loss of forest cover impact salmon and other aquatic life.
These aren’t abstract concerns, they’re real impacts on people, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Forest management decisions made far from cities can have lasting consequences downstream, both literally and figuratively.
Wildlife Under Pressure
Forests are more than trees. They’re complex ecosystems that support wildlife corridors, nesting grounds, food sources, and shelter. When logging removes mature or old-growth stands, these vital functions are often lost.
- Moose, deer, and caribou rely on mature forest cover for protection from predators and access to seasonal food.
- When logging removes riparian vegetation and reduces forest canopy cover, snow melts faster and more unpredictably. This can lead to more extreme river fluctuations, faster freshet, and increased sedimentation; all of which negatively impact salmon-bearing streams and aquatic ecosystems.
- Predator-prey dynamics shift when logging roads allow easier access for wolves or humans into sensitive wildlife areas.
Species that are already facing pressure from climate change and habitat loss are pushed closer to the brink by aggressive forestry practices. In BC, habitat loss is the leading cause of species endangerment, and industrial logging is a major driver.
What Does “Sustainable Forestry” Actually Mean?
The term “sustainable” has become a buzzword in BC’s forestry industry, but it’s worth asking: sustainable for whom, and for how long? A truly sustainable approach to forestry would ensure that:
- Ecosystems remain intact and functional for future generations.
- Wildlife has enough habitat to thrive.
- Water systems are protected, not degraded.
- Forests store carbon, helping to mitigate climate change.
Instead, what we often see is a short-term focus on maximizing timber yield, with replanting used as a band-aid solution. Newly planted stands of pine or fir may grow quickly, but they lack the biodiversity, resilience, and ecological value of the complex forests they replace.
A system that allows old-growth forests to be logged, critical habitat to be lost, and communities to bear the brunt of environmental fallout is not sustainable, no matter how many trees are replanted.
Erasmus on the Ground-Level Reality of Logging
Forest management isn’t just about trees, it’s about what’s left behind. Gerd Erasmus, a longtime forestry observer, explains:
“When we plant trees, we plant them so close together that they shade out every other thing that can grow there… That means there is no food for anything living out there. There’s no food for moose. No food for mice. No feed for chickadees or swallows. Nothing but little trees and a carpet of dead pine needles or spruce needles on the floor that nobody can eat. And that acidifies the soil, which then affects the creeks and the acidity of the water in the creek, which affects those too.”
This on-the-ground perspective captures what’s often lost in discussions about tree counts and planting targets — ecosystems don’t thrive on density alone. They need diversity, sunlight, understory plants, and wildlife food sources, none of which grow in a tightly packed pine plantation.
Indigenous Stewardship and Alternative Models
For thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples in BC have managed forests using knowledge rooted in observation, reciprocity, and deep respect for natural systems. In contrast to industrial logging, Indigenous land stewardship emphasizes balance, biodiversity, and interconnectedness.
Across the province, Indigenous-led conservation initiatives are gaining ground. From old-growth deferrals to guardian programs and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), these models offer alternatives that prioritize ecological health over extraction.
Supporting Indigenous leadership in forest management isn’t just about reconciliation, it’s about adopting practices that actually sustain the land over time.
Policy, Accountability, and Transparency
Current forest policy in BC is complex, often opaque, and heavily influenced by industry interests. Many logging decisions are made through long-term forest licenses granted to large companies. While these companies are required to create forest stewardship plans, public oversight is limited, and enforcement of ecological standards is often weak.
That’s why many environmental and community groups are calling for:
- Greater transparency in forest planning and decision-making
- Independent oversight of environmental impacts
- Stronger legal protections for old-growth forests and wildlife corridors
- A full overhaul of the “free to grow” legislation
- Creation of a Chief Ecologist position to provide independent ecological oversight alongside the Chief Forester
Without accountability, the word “sustainable” rings hollow.
What Can You Do?
Caring about BC’s forests doesn’t mean you have to oppose all logging. It means asking better questions, supporting better practices, and demanding a system that values more than just board feet.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Learn who holds forest licenses in your region and how their practices impact the landscape
- Support Indigenous-led conservation initiatives
- Advocate for old-growth protections and science-based forest policy
- Contact your MLA and share your concerns about unsustainable logging
- Choose FSC-certified or reclaimed wood products where possible
Change begins with awareness, but it grows through action.
Conclusion: The Future We Choose
Forests are BC’s natural legacy, a source of biodiversity, clean water, cultural meaning, and climate resilience. Yet the way we manage them today is shaping a very different future. If we want forests that continue to support wildlife, protect communities, and enrich lives, we must rethink what responsible forestry looks like.
At Who Cares BC, we believe in a forest future rooted in ecological respect, Indigenous knowledge, and community stewardship. Logging is not inherently the problem, but how, where, and why it’s done makes all the difference.
