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Wildflower families of the Discovery Islands
Forest-related journalism
Ocean-related reporting
Primary forest survey: Quadra Island
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (white-coloured wildflowers)
Loss of forest cover on Quadra Island
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (yellow-coloured wildflowers)
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (pink-coloured wildflowers)
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (Blue-flowered wildflowers)
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (Red-orange-flowered wildflowers)
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (brown-coloured wildflowers)
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (purple-coloured wildflowers)
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Marine mammals
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Land mammals
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Marine birds
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Forest birds
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Amphibians
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Reptiles
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Marine Invertebrates
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Fish
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (Green-flowered wildflowers)
Logging in the watersheds of Quadra Island
Plant species observed on the Discovery Islands that are endangered, threatened or species of concern
Animal species observed on the Discovery Islands that are endangered, threatened or species of concern
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (Trees and Shrubs)
Lichen species of the Discovery Islands
Primary forest survey: Read Island
Primary forest survey: Cortes Island
Primary forest survey: Maurelle Island
Primary forest survey: Sonora Island
Primary forest survey: West Redonda Island
Primary forest survey: smaller islands
Primary forest survey: East Redonda Island
Place names: Quadra Island
Place names: Cortes Island
Place names: Read Island
Place names: Maurelle Island
Place names: Sonora Island
Place names: West Redonda Island
Place names: East Redonda Island
Place names: smaller islands
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (Grasses, sedges & rushes)
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (Aquatics)
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (Ferns)
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (Lichens)
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (Fungi)
Plant species of the Discovery Islands (Mosses and Liverworts)
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Butterflies, Skippers and Moths
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Dragonflies and Damselflies
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Bees, Ants and Wasps
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Beetles
Animal species of the Discovery Islands: Slugs and Snails
Loss of forest cover on Read Island
Loss of forest cover on Cortes Island
Loss of forest cover on Maurelle Island
Loss of forest cover on Sonora Island
Loss of forest cover on West Redonda Island
Loss of forest cover on East Redonda Island
Solutions
Photographic survey
Forest carbon release by logging on the Discovery Islands
Portal: Public subsidization of logging on the Discovery Islands
Loss of forest cover on the Discovery Islands
The cost of the public subsidy of clearcut logging on the Discovery Islands
Impact of clearcut logging on forest-related employment
Loss of forest carbon sequestration capacity due to logging
Forest stewardship plans for area-based forest tenures on the Discovery Islands
History of forest loss on the Discovery Islands
Portal: A paradigm shift in how Discovery Islands forests are managed is urgently needed
Portal: Over-exploitation of BC forests
Portal: Imagining a new relationship with forests
Portal: Loss of primary forest
Portal: Destruction of wildlife habitat and loss of biodiversity
Portal: Loss of the hydrological functions of forests
Portal: Increase in forest fire hazard
Portal: Loss of carbon sequestration capacity
Portal: Increase in forest carbon emissions
Portal: Plantation failure
Portal: Use of ecologically damaging practices
Portal: Permanent loss of forest to logging roads, landings and quarries
Portal: Soil loss and damage
Portal: Loss of forest-related employment
Portal: Loss of employment resulting from the export of raw logs
Portal: Costs of floods, fires and clearcutting of community watersheds
Portal: The economic impact on communities of boom and bust cycles
Portal: The instability of communities dependent on forest extraction
Portal: Psychological unease caused by forest destruction
Portal: Loss of trust in institutions as a result of over-exploitation of forests
Portal: Social division caused by over-exploitation of BC forests
Portal: Loss of economic potential of other forest-related sectors
Portal: The economic cost of converting forests into sawdust and wood chips
Portal: The need to reform BC forest legislation
Portal: The need to expedite treaties with First Nations
Portal: The need to get informed, organized and ready for change
Portal: Surveys
Portal: The case for much greater conservation of forests on the Discovery Islands
Portal: Greater conservation of forests is needed to mitigate climate change
Portal: Retention of old and mature forest is necessary to protect biodiversity
Portal: Compared with old and mature forest, logged areas have a higher fire hazard
Portal: The extraordinary beauty of the Discovery Islands needs to be protected
Portal: We support Indigenous title and rights on the Discovery Islands
Portal: Logging on the Discovery Islands is heavily subsidized by the public
Species at risk on the Discovery Islands
Historical record of forest fires on the Discovery Islands
Lakes and wetlands of the Discovery Islands
Recreation Resources: Morte Lake-Chinese Mountain area
Recreation Resources: Nugedzi Lake-Mount Seymour area
Recreation Resources: Newton Lake-Small Inlet-Waiatt Bay area
Recreation Resources: Mud Lake-Nighthawk Lake area
Recreation Resources: Eagle Ridge-Blindman's Bluff area
Recreation Resources: Heriot Ridge area
Recreation Resources: Shellalligan Pass area
Recreation Resources: Two-Mile Lake-Clear Lake-Hummingbird Lake area
Recreation Resources: Maud Island-Saltwater Lagoon
Recreation Resources: Hyacinthe Point area
Recreation Resources: Raven Lake-Raven Ridge area
Recreation Resources: Main Lake Provincial Park
Recreation Resources: Octopus Islands Provincial Park
Recreation Resources: Darkwater Lake-Darkwater Mountain
Salmon bearing streams
Portal map: Salmon bearing streams of the Discovery Islands
Library: Logging and plantations create higher forest fire hazard
Libary: Conservation of forests needed to protect biodiversity
Library: Conservation of forests is needed to mitigate climate change
Library: Supporting Indigenous title and rights
Central library
Portal: Discovery Islands' place names
Export of raw logs from the Discovery Islands
Log exports from the Discovery Islands
Discovery Islands forest tenures and logging plans
Discovery Islands Protected Areas
Place names of the Discovery Islands
Portal: Calculation of direct local employment
Watersheds of Quadra Island
Watersheds of Read Island
Watersheds of Cortes Island
Watersheds of Maurelle Island
Watersheds of Sonora Island
Portal: Watersheds of the Discovery Islands
Engaging the mindustry
Species at risk of local extirpation
Artistic Expression
Volunteer
Discussion
Project calculations
Definitions
Fisheries surveys of Discovery Islands creeks
Portal: Resolution of forest-use conflicts
Vancouver Island Land Use Plan
About the Discovery Islands Conservation Project
Recent satellite imagery of forest cover loss on the Discovery Islands
Forest planning documents
Sources for April 2023 complaint to Forest Practices Board
Woodlot 2031 (Okisollo Resources)
Herbicide use
DI Forest Bulletin
Sources for 2024 submission on TFL 47 Johnstone Strait FSP
Comments on proposed cutblocks and roads
Blogs
Events
Downloads
Everything posted by Project Staff
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Changes in 2021 to the Forest and Range Practices Act have introduced the concept of “Forest Landscape Plans” to BC. What is that? The Ministry of Forests has created a document “Forest Landscape Planning FAQs” to answer your questions. Click on the link below to download a copy. Forest Landscape Planning is expected to be phased in over time. Part of the Discovery Islands Forest Conservation Project area—that portion that lies in the Sunshine Coast Forest District—is already involved in a “trial” of this new planning concept. We will update this section as we learn more. That part of the project area that is in the Campbell River Forest District is not yet subject to Forest Landscape Planning. Moreover, TimberWest has recently created two Forest Stewardship Plans for TFL 47 under the old planning regime. Both those plans have terms of 10 years. So it is unlikely that any “Forest Landscape Planning” will be done on Quadra, Sonora, the Thurlows or Hardwicke Island in the foreseeable future. Forest Landscape Plans information and FAQs.pdf
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The latest summary from the provincial government regarding management of old forest in BC. (2024) Old Growth Forest Management in British Columbia.pdf
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A five-page 1950 topographic description of Quadra, Cortes, Read, Maurelle, Sonora, East and West Thurlow, and Hardwicke Islands by the Department of Lands and Forests’ A.F. Swannell. A snapshot of the islands at that time. This document is available courtesy of the UBC Open Collections Library. 1950 Topographic Survey by Department of Lands and Forests of Quadra, Read, Cortes, Maurelle, Sonora, East & West Thurlow, and Hardwicke Islands.pdf
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This guide is applicable to Sonora, East and West Thurlow and Hardwicke Islands. Our project is also using it as a guide for determining whether a stand or patch of forest containing old trees is “old forest” on Quadra, Read, Maurelle and Cortes Islands. Guidelines to Support Implementation of the Great Bear Rainforest Order with Respect to Old Forest and Listed Plant Communities (2019).pdf
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The polygons outlined in red indicate RESULTS Openings (areas that have been logged). The polygons outlined in orange are areas mapped by the BC CDC as containing red-listed plant communities. All four overlaps occur in TFL 47.
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The full, live map can be accessed here: https://www.discoveryislandsforestconservationproject.ca/cdc-maps/bc-conservation-data-centre-map-for-quadra-island/
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This timber supply analysis was used to inform the 2014 Timber Supply Analysis of TFL 47 conducted by the Chief Forester's Office. It shows that Ecora estimated the timber harvesting land base in TFL 47 on Quadra Island to be 7100 hectares (chart on page 6). Of this 7100 hectares we estimate 5500 hectares are in the SMZ 19 portion of TFL 47. Timber Supply Analysis for TFL 47 by Ecora 2012.pdf
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The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation provided the following news release: VICTORIA - The Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and K’ómoks First Nations, and Western Forest Products Inc. have reached an agreement for the Nations to acquire a 34% interest from Western in a newly formed limited partnership for $35.9 million. The Province of British Columbia helped to facilitate the partnership through Incremental Treaty Agreements with the Nations, all of whom are in Stage 5 of the British Columbia Treaty Process. The formation of the partnership and acquisition by the Nations, who are all member First Nations of the Na̲nwak̲olas Council, is subject to various closing conditions, including subdivision and tenure transfer approvals from the British Columbia Ministry of Forests. Western and the Nations are working toward closing the acquisition in the first quarter of 2024. The partnership will consist of certain assets and liabilities of Western’s Mid Island Forest Operation, including Block 2 of Tree Farm Licence 39. The operations of the new partnership will cover approximately 157,000 hectares of forest land in the territories of the Nations near the communities of Campbell River and Sayward on eastern Vancouver Island. The partnership will manage an allowable annual cut of 904,540 cubic metres of timber, and includes a long-term fibre agreement to support Western’s British Columbia coastal manufacturing operations. Map of the five blocks of TFL 39. The agreement covers Block 2. “Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and K’ómoks, who share significant areas of their respective territories, have been stewards of their forests for millenia. Na̲nwak̲olas Council assisted the four Nations in concluding the Agreement. This is a good day for everyone on Vancouver Island and the central coast,” said Dallas Smith, president, Na̲nwak̲olas Council. “For far too long, the very people who are the reason there were healthy, abundant forests here prior to colonization were excluded from participation in their continued sustainable management and any ability to benefit from them. Today, we celebrate a significant step forward on the pathway to sustainable, effective resource management of our forests for the benefit of future generations. I applaud the Nations for taking this step. I acknowledge Western for stepping up into the partnership and thank B.C. for helping make this happen.” K’ómoks Chief Ken Price, a registered professional forester, said: “Negotiations by K’ómoks towards the acquisition of an economically viable forestry operation began in 2021. Historically, our people have always been involved in the forestry industry. This forestry partnership agreement reflects not only a significant and meaningful incremental step forward in our vision for economic well-being as a Nation, but also our vision for a K’ómoks Treaty with the provincial and federal governments. K’ómoks would like to acknowledge Na̲nwak̲olas Council for its support of the Nations during the negotiations process, and our partners Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum. As First Nations, we all look forward to taking our rightful place in forestry ownership and management in our territories. The partnership achieves one of the Winning Conditions of reaching a K’ómoks Treaty and K’ómoks has put significant resources into the work that has led up to this point. We thank Western for their work to make the partnership happen and the support for our negotiations over the years from the Government of Canada and from the provincial government.” Tlowitsis Chief John Smith said: “For Tlowitsis First Nation, this agreement represents a new way forward that is deeply meaningful. The opportunity to be on the ground working on our territories, to provide jobs for our young people, revenue to support our Nation and simply a better way of doing business together, is huge and priceless.” We Wai Kai Chief Ronnie Chickite said: “We Wai Kai is making significant investments in forestry, including the development and growth of our logging company, Way Key. We appreciate the recognition by Western and British Columbia that we are an integral partner in the forest industry in our territory. This agreement, and the partnership it creates, is an important step forward for our Nation in participating meaningfully in the forest economy and taking back governance over our lands and resources.” Wei Wai Kum Chief Councillor Christopher Roberts said: “When we speak of reconciliation, here is a living, practical example of reconciliation on the ground. We have raised concerns repeatedly over generations about the immense value and wealth leaving our territory, with little to no benefit to our Nation. We have not been involved at the table in decision-making. Finally, we took a stand four years ago that this must stop. We could not support the replacement of forest licences in our territory that don’t have commitments to address our concerns. But, things are changing. This agreement is proof that it is possible to address multiple interests and generate positive outcomes for all people that call our territory home. Provincial support for this new partnership aligns with the Action Plan on the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. It aligns with our demonstrated ability to take back control of our territories and manage them successfully to ensure a better future for our people. I thank Western for sharing that vision of the future with us and congratulate all of the partners and parties involved. It was hard work but will have lasting positive impacts that will increase for generations to come.” Premier David Eby said: “The partnership is an excellent example of working together towards reconciliation. Incremental Treaty Agreements build trust and ensure First Nations in the treaty process and the entire community experience benefits sooner. This agreement means opportunities are on the way for business, First Nations members and communities on northern Vancouver Island, proving that a rising tide lifts all boats.” Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, said: “Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and K’ómoks want to work innovatively and collaboratively with B.C. through the Incremental Treaty Agreements. They also wish to work with Western Forest Products to have a lasting and positive impact on communities in north and central Vancouver Island that depend on the forestry industry. It is essential that these First Nations have a greater role in forestry, to advance their own economic goals and to advance reconciliation.” Steven Hofer, Western’s president and CEO, said: “Our agreement is another step forward in Western’s ongoing commitment to economic reconciliation and setting a solid foundation that benefits workers, communities and shareholders. Together with our partners, we are ushering in a new era of forestry in this province—one where everyone has the opportunity to fully participate and benefit.” -
This small 1.5-hectare stand in Woodlot 1969 contains relatively rare (on Quadra Island) older Western hemlock. Most Douglas fir in the stand had previously been selectively logged (circa early 20the century). The larger hemlock in the stand ranged up to 10.3-feet in circumference at breast height in August 2023. -
IN APRIL 2023, the Discovery Islands Forest Conservation Project filed a complaint with the BC Forest Practices Board about the logging and degradation of “old forest”—forest that contains trees greater than 250 years of age—on Quadra Island. Investigators from the Board spent a number of days on Quadra in July. They have said it will take 6 months to a year (from the time we filed our complaint) to release an investigation report. One of the aspects of our complaint was that Okisollo Resources logged 3 hectares of old forest on the north side of Hummingbird Lake in July 2019, contrary to promises the company made in its woodlot plan. While we were waiting for the investigators to come to Quadra Island, we made a second survey of the old-growth stand Okisollo Resources logged, including measuring the number and diameter of the trees that were cut in 2019 that were greater than 100 cm. We found 38, only 6 of which contained any sign of rot in the stump, which suggests the stand was in good health. We also did ring counts of two of the stumps. Because of weathering that has occurred since 2019, this required sanding a strip across the diameter of the stump so that the growth rings could be photographed at high resolution. The images were then tiled and the growth rings counted at high magnification (see image below). The two stumps we examined showed 443 years and 420 years of growth. In BC, forests containing trees greater than 400 years of age are considered to be “ancient”, not just “old-growth”, and are now extremely rare. Growth rings of one of the 38 old-growth trees logged in a 3-hectare cutblock at Hummingbird Lake on Quadra Island in 2019 (click image to enlarge).
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Dave Younger, the operator of Woodlot 2032, replied to David Broadland's letter with the following letter to the editor in the February 3, 2023 edition of the Discovery Islander: I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND to David Broadland’s letter regarding his accusation that my company, Younger Bros. Holdings Inc., is performing ethically questionable practices. We have tried to talk to Mr. Broadland about this issue and have invited him to come out to the Woodlot Licence, but he has chosen not to do that. I have found that the best way to deal with a problem is to discuss it with the people who have the objections. Unfortunately, that has not happened so I will state my case here. I have a degree in Forestry and have been working in the forest industry for the last 45 years, so I have some experience in this area. Mr. Broadland states that I “built logging roads through two areas of old forest the company had mapped in its 2011 Woodlot Plan”. In my 2011 Woodlot Licence Plan (WLP) it clearly states that “trees in wildlife retention areas may be removed if there is a need to remove the trees to provide access to adjacent stands”. To be very clear, all old growth trees are protected at Woodlot Licence W2032, and no Old Growth trees were removed during this road development. This road was constructed because access to this woodlot is very difficult, and this was the only route. I spent a long time looking at this route and it has allowed me to get down to Logger’s Bay with the least adverse grades. Mr. Broadland states that we have changed the designation of reserves of old forest such that those areas are now included in the operable landbase of the Woodlot Licence. This is in the area of Manzanita Mountain (or Darkwater Mountain). There is a legal requirement for all Woodlot Licences that a minimum of 8% of the Licence area is designated as long-term reserve (Wildlife Tree Patches). For the initial WLP, we identified 122 ha or 16% of the Woodlot Licence potential reserve areas with a clear commitment to review those areas within the first 10 years and to update the retention strategy on the updated WLP. The understanding was that “over the initial 10-year term of Woodlot License 2032, additional commitments will arise in response to government and public feedback as well as on-the- ground experience in the Woodlot Licence area and longterm objectives” which will require changes. What we found in this 10-year period was that the lower areas have had skid trails and various forms of logging in what was called “old growth forest” and that is why we removed them. Another reason was a comment found on his website in the Sierra Club’s critique of my Management Plan 2010 where they stated that “Woodlot 1969 established wildlife tree retention reserves located along the boundary with this woodlot (WL 2032) should be mapped. Future reserves within WL2032 should be considered adjacent to these reserves to add to their size” To reiterate, we have not changed our commitment not to log old growth forest and all old growth trees are reserved from harvest at Woodlot Licence W2032. Mr. Broadland goes on to state that the Manzanita Mountain old forest replacement has been logged and is younger and sparser than the previous one. This is simply untrue. The replacement forest has less disturbance and more old growth than the stand that it replaced. His statement that part of an old logging road was named “Manzanita Trail” is only partially correct. The trail follows the old road and then goes up through the old growth retention area to the top of Manzanita Mountain, to a patch of Manzanita (arctostaphylos columbiana) which is probably close to its northern-most limit of distribution. This is a very unique ecosystem and appropriately is now included in the retention strategy for Woodlot Licence W2032. I consider the self-named ‘Manzanita Mountain Recreation Area’ a jewel of this Woodlot Licence and I have diligently worked on providing access to this unique area over the last 10 years. This includes road access, parking, and trail location. Although difficult to get to and steep, this area provides for a beautiful day hike to an area of unique ecology. I hope that this area can be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. If anyone would like to discuss any of these issues or to have a tour of Woodlot Licence W2032, please contact me at any at 250-202-1553. Dave Younger
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Regarding renewal of woodlot 2032.
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This winter, TimberWest has been logging between Long Lake and Plumper Bay on the the west side of Quadra—west of Morte Lake. The satellite image below is from January 28, 2023.
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See the official map of the latest approved Visual Quality Objectives for the Discovery Islands area What are “Visual quality objectives”? According to the Ministry of Forests, “BC’s reputation as an international tourism destination depends on its spectacular natural beauty. However, tourism and forestry can coexist through innovative forest-management practices. The visual resource management program has a suite of tools to support this coexistence. As well, the Forest and Range Practices Act explicitly identifies the management of scenic values. Visual quality objectives (VQO) guide forest management activities on a landscape. A poster shows examples of each VQO.” Another way of seeing VQOs, however, is as an indicator of how concerned government and business are about revealing to the public the true extent of the degradation of nature caused by logging. The greater the number of potential witnesses, the greater the concern for hiding what’s happening (“Preservation”). The smaller the number of people that will witness BC’s war on nature, the less concerned government and industry are (“Maximum Modification”). Click on the image to enlarge THE 3 MAPS BELOW show the visual quality objectives determined for the Discovery Islands area by the Ministry of Forests in consultation with local stakeholders. The Discovery Islands area is bisected by 2 different natural resource districts, so there are two different sets of maps. Quadra, Sonora, East Thurlow, West Thurlow and Hardwicke Island are located in the North Island Natural Resources District. The first map shows VQOs for those islands. Cortes, the Redondas, Read, Maurelle, Raza and Stuart Island are all located in the Sunshine Coast Natural Resources District. The second map shows VQOs for those islands. Note that the colours used in the legend for each Natural Resources District’s map of VQOs are different for each district. VQOs for the North Island Natural Resources District (click image to enlarge): VQOs for the Sunshine Coast Natural Resources District (2023): VQOs for the Sunshine Coast Natural Resources District (previous to 2023):
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A legally non-binding plan for forest management in the “Takeback Area” on Quadra Island created by the Quadra Island Forest Resources Committee in 1993. Quadra Island Forest Management Plan Quadra Plan1993 QIFRC.pdf
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There are two areas of old/mature forest along the first ridge above Kanish Bay, visible in the drone photographs below. To date they have not been explored on the ground by the project. The northern area of old/mature forest along the ridge above Kanish Bay. This view is looking south toward North Mountain. The southern area of old/mature forest along the ridge above Kanish Bay.
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Bachus Creek area of old forest
Project Staff posted a record in Primary forest survey: Quadra Island
This area of old forest follows Bachus Creek from the northern edge of Darkwater Mountain and lower down spreads out widely from the creek as it heads downhill toward Kanish Bay. The area of old forest has not yet been explored on the ground. The lower section of old forest on Bachus Creek The upper section of old forest on Bachus Creek -
This 7.5-hectare area of old forest is mostly in Small Inlet Provincial Park. The portion that is in TFL 47 appears to be too steep to be logged.
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This remnant of old forest has not been ground-truthed but is visible in satellite and drone photography (below).
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This small (1.0 hectare) grove of old Douglas fir and cedar is visible in satellite and drone photography. As of 2022 it has not been visited on the ground. This area is in TimberWest’s TFL 47 and clearcut logging has occurred nearby.
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Judy's Lake area of old forest
Project Staff posted a record in Primary forest survey: Quadra Island
This 4.4-hectare area (on right side of photo below), which is inside Small Inlet Provincial Park, contains a concentration of old Douglas firs close to a number of lakes and wetlands. The lake is adjacent to the hiking trail into Newton Lake.
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