B.C.'s forests struggle to recover as logging and wildfires take their toll

As British Columbia grapples with the effects of over-logging and wildfires, experts warn that the province’s forests are rapidly depleting, leaving the forestry industry in crisis.

Zoë Yunker reports for The Tyee.

In short:

B.C. has allowed excessive logging for decades, and its replanted forests are too young to harvest, leading companies to seek timber elsewhere.
Wildfires and pest infestations have further devastated B.C.’s forest reserves, with many areas facing a biodiversity crisis.
Experts argue that the province’s forest management system is outdated and inadequate to prevent ecosystem collapse.

Key quote:

“There’s a new normal that’s emerged. For us, it’s quite a terrifying one.”

— James Gorman, senior vice-president at West Fraser Timber Co.

Why this matters:

B.C.’s forestry industry is at risk, with shrinking tree supplies and ecosystems in danger of collapse. Mismanaged logging practices, combined with natural disasters, are threatening biodiversity and leaving a growing gap between sustainable practices and reality.

thetyee.ca

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