The Province is taking action to preserve the unique ecosystems of the Ancient Forest, home to some of the oldest trees in the country, and is calling for public input into the planning process, Minister of Jobs,Tourism and Skills Training Shirley Bond announced today. Bond was speaking on behalf of Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson.

The Province signed an agreement with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and the Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Society, a community-based conservation organization. The partners are working together to ensure that the Ancient Forest is preserved and, in the long-term, designated as an official protected area. At the same time, government is consulting with the public to help inform critical decisions like the forest boundaries and the legal designation of the protected area.

Ancient Forest covers more than 10,000 hectares of largely unlogged temperate rainforest and contains stands of giant red cedars, some more than 1,000 years old, as well as rare plants and lichens. The forest - called Chun toh whud u jud by the Lheidli T’enneh - is 120 kilometres east of Prince George next to Slim Creek Provincial Park.

B.C.'s protected areas system helps preserve and maintain important natural, cultural and recreational sites. Protected areas include ecological reserves, provincial parks, conservancies, and designated recreation areas. Public consultation - which is a critical part of the designation process -- will begin in the summer with significant public involvement in the fall.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs,Tourism and Skills Training -

"The forest is a unique and significant ecological feature of the North, and anyone who has seen the ancient cedars can't help but be overwhelmed with their majesty and beauty. Today's agreement reflects government's commitment to protecting old-growth forests, promoting biodiversity and preserving valuable ecosystems, and will help ensure that these landmark trees will be around for future generations to enjoy for another thousand years."

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations -

"We want First Nations and community partners to have a real voice in the management and protection of the Ancient Forest. The protected area designation will ensure that this unique area will be excluded from timber harvesting and other commercial activity, which helps preserve plant ecosystems, wildlife habitat and cultural values."

Dominic Frederick, Chief, Lheidli T’enneh -

"Chun toh whud u jud lies in the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, and we have been stewards of the forest for generations. Our roots run deep in the Ancient Forest, and we look forward to working with the Province to help protect the natural splendor of the area and to continue to celebrate and honour an important part of our cultural heritage."

Nowell Senior, president, Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Society -

"We are pleased with today's announcement and happy to be working with our partners to help protect and celebrate this unique inland temperate rainforest. We support government's move to protect the forest, and that conservation of the attributes that make this forest type special and unique is a worthy cause and one that future generations deserve an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy."

Quick Facts:

• B.C.'s parks and protected areas system includes more than 1000 protected areas, covering over 14 million hectares, or 14.4% of the province.
• There are more than 25 million hectares of old growth forests in B.C. About 4.5 million hectares are fully protected, representing an area larger than Vancouver Island.
• Ancient Forest has three kilometres of trails - including a 500-metre wheelchair-accessible boardwalk - built and maintained through a partnership between the Province's Rec Sites and Trails division and the Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Society.
• The forest's western red cedars are some of the largest in the province, with trunks measuring up to 16 metres in circumference.

Learn More:

To read about B.C.'s parks and protected area designation visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/aboutBCParks/prk_desig.html

To learn more about recreational sites and trails in the province, visit: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca