Forest Conservation Program
Coastal Douglas-fir forests and associated habitats are among the most threatened ecosystems in the country.
Photo by Alex Harris /
Raincoast Conservation Foundation.
Raincoast’s Forest Conservation Program is focused on addressing biodiversity loss, climate change and other human-caused stresses on Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF) habitats. With a limited geographic extent, including only the southeastern edge of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and a sliver of BC’s mainland, it is essential that these ecosystems are protected and conserved before it is too late.
Understanding biodiversity loss, climate change, and anthropogenic impacts
Globally unique to the south coast of British Columbia, this collection of highly diverse ecosystems includes sand dunes, estuaries, Garry oak meadows, and rocky outcrops, among many other ecological communities. Forests here are characterized by tree species like coastal Douglas-fir, western red cedar, and arbutus. The CDF covers less than 1% of provincial land area, with the Salish Sea’s Gulf Islands hosting over 30% of its provincial extent.
Almost all of the original CDF forests have been logged since the early 1900s and a further 30% of second-growth has been converted to rural, urban, agricultural, and industrial use since 2008. The province’s last State of the Forests report, released in 2010, found that the CDF is BC’s most converted zone, with nearly twice the amount of deforested and fragmented land compared to the next most converted zone. This includes the province’s highest road density that profoundly fragments CDF habitats. Currently, 127 native plant and animal species characteristic to CDF ecosystems are on the provincial “Red” list. This includes iconic ecological communities characterized by the presence of arbutus and Garry oak. Further, recent anecdotal reports of deterioration of arbutus, western redcedar, grand fir and coastal Douglas-fir indicate that climate change is already influencing these important ecosystems.
Informed advocacy and community engagement
Using Raincoast’s signature approach of informed advocacy, the Forest Conservation Program combines community engagement with science and policy review to achieve tangible conservation outcomes. Our work includes working with local Nations, civic governments, organizations, and community members to slow and reverse the destruction of these fragile, ecologically important, and culturally significant places through advocacy, community science initiatives, ecological investigation, and most recently, permanent land protection through property acquisition. Our preliminary focus is on North (S,DÁYES in the SENĆOŦEN language of the W̱SÁNEĆ) and South Pender Islands. As our work expands to other Gulf Islands, we commit to honoring the lands and culture of additional First Nations who call these Islands home.
W̱SÁNEĆ territory
In the southern Gulf Islands and Saanich Peninsula, much of the Coastal Douglas-fir forests and associated habitats exist within W̱SÁNEĆ territory. These unceded lands have been inhabited by the W̱SÁNEĆ people, also known as the Saltwater or Coast Salish People, since time immemorial. Brought here by the creator, XÁLS, following the great flood, the W̱SÁNEĆ people were given the responsibility of caring for their relatives: the Islands of the Salish Sea. As such, in addition to their ecological significance, these habitats hold tremendous cultural and spiritual value.
The Story of the CDF
A series of articles curated by Forest Conservation Program Director Shauna Doll and contributed to by expert Traditional Knowledge Holders, ecologists, conservation scientists, social scientists, ethnobotanists, and others to increase understanding of some of the most threatened ecological communities in British Columbia.
Educational webinar series
Recent articles
Join us at The Polygon Gallery for the 2024 Raincoast Ocean Science Awards
An evening to celebrate marine conservation and excellence in science.
The life of cougars: Territory tactics
Unveiling the art of male scent marking and territory claiming.
Where is our research vessel, Achiever?
Our new map shows the live location of Achiever as it travels up and down the coast.
The killer whales are speaking, but is the minister of transport listening?
Studies have shown that killer whales’ ability to communicate is extremely sophisticated, but they still can’t seem…
Sounding the alarm: The federal draft Ocean Noise Strategy falls short
Why Canada’s draft Ocean Noise Strategy misses the mark.
BC NGOs head to Seattle for final step in their objection to the MSC certification of southeast Alaska salmon fisheries
Alaska’s fisheries should not be accredited with Marine Stewardship Council’s checkmark of sustainability when these fisheries harm…
Wildlife killing contests
We have ethical responsibilities to targeted species and to biodiversity, and we need to consider the well-being…
New research shows the impact log booms have on salmon habitats in the Fraser Estuary
The study found that log booms impact physical habitat, water quality, and invertebrates in the lower Fraser…