British Columbia’s Forgotten Gems, its Ecological Reserves

By Jenny L. Feick, PhD On May 4, 1971, the Government of British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in Canada to pass legislation to protect ecological reserves. May 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the Ecological Reserves Act and regulations and the establishment of B.C.’s first ecological reserves. Ecological reserves are permanent sanctuaries, located throughout

Update on Clack Creek Logging and Robert’s Creek Headwaters Forest

May 26: Update from Elphinstone Logging Focus Please note that Roberts Creek Headwaters Forest has been removed from the BCTS Planning Schedule.  For a few years it appeared as an OGMA, but they don’t want that designation.     The BCTS Forest Planner at the time (Norm Kempe in Campbell River) urged us to contact FoER and have you folks submit it as an ER

Ecological Reconnaissance of BCTS Blocks A93884 and A91376 near Roberts Creek and Gibsons, B.C.

Ecological Reconnaissance of BCTS Blocks A93884 and A91376 near Roberts Creek and Gibsons, B.C. for Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) See the complete pdf here:A_Banner_Elphinstone-Logging-Focus-July-04_2018-1-1 Field Investigation: May 10-12, 2018 Report Date: July 4th, 2018 Allen Banner MSc., RPBio, RPF (ret) Banner Consulting Smithers, B.C. Background • Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) requested my expertise in assessing

Forestry Policy Update on Rubus nivalis

When we were concerned about the logging policies in the Elphinstone area , the BC Timber Sales  Interim Management Protocol for Rubus nivalis was outlined. Since then there has been an update on the status of this species PDF of the Policy :tsg_rubus_nivalis_protocol_update_May_2012 May 2012 Page 1 Rubus Nivalis: Rationale for Discontinuing Protocol (May 2012)

Fraser River Ecological Reserve #76 Management Issue May 2020

Fraser River Ecological Reserve #76:  Management Issue Submitted by Bill and Bev Ramey, May 2020 One major issue—Boundary Adjustment Needed ER #76 was established “for the conservation of the only remaining unaltered and uncommitted lower Fraser River floodplain islands” (from BC Parks website), and further to preserve “an unaltered cluster of mid river islands in

Ecological Reserve Proposals Needing Urgent Action

Link to posts on Ecological Reserve Proposals on this website Description and purpose of Candidate Ecological Reserves (ER) made known to Friends of Ecological Reserves 2014 Proposed New Ecological Reserves in B.C. Proposed ER Name  (Location) Bio-, Eco-, or Geo-logical Rationale for Conservation Size Status and Current Threats Roberts Creek Ancient Forest Headwaters  (Sunshine Coast

Scott Islands Marine National Wildlife Area

The Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area (NWA) is the first protected marine area established under the Canada Wildlife Act. This marine NWA was established on June 27th, 2018. It conserves a vital marine area for millions of seabirds on the Pacific coast. Link to https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/national-wildlife-areas/locations/scott-islands-marine.html#toc0

Old Growth Strategic Review-FER Submission

See the complete PDF : Old Growth Strategic Review-FER Submission Submission to the Old Growth Strategic Review January 31, 2020 Prepared for the Old Growth Strategic Review on Behalf of the Friends of Ecological Reserves by FER Board Members Mike Fenger and Jenny Feick, Ph.D. The Friends of Ecological Reserves (FER) (https://ecoreserves.bc.ca/ ) is a

The Log, 2019/20 Autumn/Winter Newsletter

The 2019/20 Autumn/Winter Newsletter is available from this website. Just click below. Click here to open the 2019/20 Autumn/Winter edition of The Log (PDF format). Contents: 2020 Brings a Renewed Push to Revitalize the ER System A Community Fights to Save Clack Creek Forest Hidden Complexity Revealed, How LiDAR helps re-map Aleza Lake The ‘Blob”,

Fraser River Ecological Reserve #76 Warden’s Report Oct 2019

Ecological Reserve Wardens Bev and Bill Ramey submitted this report on a visit to the Ecological reserve on October 29, 2019 See this pdf at:  FER #76 2019, October 29, for FER November 2019 saw a fresh water mussel shell, in similar location to shells found Dec 2014, and in a couple of other subsequent

Sunshine Coast group rallies to save Forest with 1,000 Hearts from loggers

Sunshine Coast group rallies to save Forest with 1,000 Hearts from loggers:  Vancouver Sun Randy Shore Publishing date: October 24, 2019 ROBERTS CREEK (Oct. 24, 2019) — Ross Muirhead and Elphinstone Logging Focus are trying to stop the emerging old growth inside a proposed provincial park expansion from being logged. Randy Shore/Postmedia News [PNG Merlin

Ecosystem-Based Assessment of the Koksilah River Watershed

Eagle Ridge is mentioned in part of this report: Phase 1 Report: Watershed Character and Condition Cowichan Station Area Association Prepared by: Heather Pritchard, RPF Emily Doyle-Yamaguchi, FIT Dr. Martin Carver, PGeo/PEng, PAg Carol Luttmer, MSc September 30, 2019 See the PDF here: EBAKoksilah_Phase1_Final_Sept2019 Introduction The approximately 30,000-hectare Koksilah River watershed is a place of

Vancouver Island Marmot,COSEWIC assessment summary,May 2019

COSEWIC assessment summary Assessment summary – May 2019 https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/cosewic-assessments-status-reports/vancouver-island-marmot-2019.html Common name: Vancouver Island Marmot Scientific name: Marmota vancouverensis Status: Endangered Reason for designation: This endemic species is found only on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Since the last assessment in 2008, the species has demonstrated a rapid population increase and then a subsequent decline; there are currently

Fraser River Islands ER #76 Warden’s report April29, 2019

Excellent photos at the end! Thanks Bev and Bill ER #76, Fraser River Islands – April 29, 2019 By Ecoreserve wardens Bill & Bev Ramey Sunshine, 14o to 18o C, strong winds in afternoon Launch kayak and canoe from Nicomen Island at 10:00 am, return 6:00 pm Walking and paddling distance about 16 km Water

NEB Trans Mountain Reconsideration Hearing Intervenors

FER Board Members Mike Fenger and Garry Fletcher have worked since late September in serving as Intervenors In the NEB, Trans Mountain Reconsideration Hearings. Their aim was to attempt to ensure some level of protection for the shorelines of our 19 Ecological Reserves on southern Vancouver Island and other sensitive ecosystems in the event of

Proposal for establishment of new protected areas within the Blueberry River First Nation

FROM Information Bulletin :https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2017-2021/2018IRR0065-001914.htm BACKGROUNDER For Immediate Release 2018IRR0065-001914 Oct. 3, 2018 Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation B.C.-Blueberry River First Nations adjournment agreement As an outcome of productive negotiations, B.C. and Blueberry River First Nations have reached an agreement that adjourns litigation until April 29, 2019, and outlines a path to address Blueberry River’s