The Initiative
Our province-wide program, the Old-Growth Solutions Initiative (OGSI), is working to safeguard the endangered old-growth forests in BC by co-creating new protected areas, with an emphasis on supporting Indigenous Protected & Conserved Areas, at the most critical time in history for their protection.
Project Highlights
Kanaka Bar Band: Zuminstm e tmíxʷ kt ƛ̓əq̓ƛ̓áq̓tn̓ Indigenous protected area
Learn more about our flagship project working to provide Kanaka Bar with the key, end-to-end support to develop this incredible 320-square km Indigenous Protected & Conserved Area (IPCA), located in one of BC’s most ecologically diverse regions! Once complete, this IPCA will protect some of the rarest old growth in BC.
Mowachaht/ Muchalaht First Nation: Salmon Parks Initiative
Learn more about our collaboration with the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation in support of their Salmon Parks Initiative, which will protect around 650-square km of their unceded lands, including highly endangered old-growth coastal temperate rainforests!
Old-Growth Forests
BC is home to some of the world’s most magnificent and imperilled old-growth forests, where trees can grow as tall as a skyscraper and as wide as a living room. These forests are important repositories for biodiversity and support a suite of other essential services, including habitat for endangered species, climate regulation, flood control, clean water, wild salmon, First Nations cultures and well-being, tourism and recreation industries, and enhanced quality of life.
STatus of old-growth FORESTS
Intensive industrial logging has vastly diminished what remains of BC’s unprotected old-growth forests. Today, less than 8% of the province’s most productive forests (those with the biggest trees) are left.
In order to protect what remains of these magnificent ecosystems, critical conservation funding gaps must first be addressed—the most important of which is funding for First Nations and other key parties who play a central role in deciding the land uses and policies of their areas. Specifically, funding must be available to help communities build capacity and offset lost old-growth logging revenues so that they can plan for new protected areas. Support must also help communities develop sustainable economic alternatives in industries that thrive with nature and culture (e.g. eco and cultural tourism, recreation, clean energy, sustainable seafood, carbon and biodiversity markets, and much more).
Status of old-growth FORESTS
Intensive industrial logging has vastly diminished what remains of BC’s unprotected old-growth forests. Today, less than 8% of the province’s most productive forests (those with the biggest trees) are left.
In order to protect what remains of these magnificent ecosystems, critical conservation funding gaps must first be addressed—the most important of which is funding for First Nations and other key parties who play a central role in deciding the land uses and policies of their areas. Specifically, funding must be available to help communities build capacity and offset lost old-growth logging revenues so that they can plan for new protected areas. Support must also help communities develop sustainable economic alternatives in industries that thrive with nature and culture (e.g. eco and cultural tourism, recreation, clean energy, sustainable seafood, carbon and biodiversity markets, and much more).
The Old-Growth Solutions Initiative (OGSI) is being undertaken by the Nature-Based Solutions Foundation (NBSF) in partnership with the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance and Ancient Forest Alliance. NBSF’s role is to raise private funds and work directly with communities and other key parties to help create new protected areas for endangered old-growth forests in BC.
Specifically, we will support First Nation communities to establish new Indigenous Protected & Conserved Areas (IPCAs), work with land trusts and potentially municipalities to help buy and protect private lands, collaborate with small woodlot owners to protect old-growth forests, and support the development of sustainable and prosperous local economies that thrive with nature protection.
We also work to strategically unlock and secure far greater public and private financial support to multiply our impact, ensuring that available conservation funding is directed towards efforts to protect these incredible ancient ecosystems.
The Old-Growth Solutions Initiative (OGSI) is being undertaken by the Nature-Based Solutions Foundation (NBSF) in partnership with the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance and Ancient Forest Alliance. NBSF’s role is to raise private funds and work directly with communities and other key parties to help create new protected areas for endangered old-growth forests in BC.
Specifically, we will support First Nation communities to establish new Indigenous Protected & Conserved Areas (IPCAs), work with land trusts and potentially municipalities to help buy and protect private lands, collaborate with small woodlot owners to protect old-growth forests, and support the development of sustainable and prosperous local economies that thrive with nature protection.
We also work to strategically unlock and secure far greater public and private financial support to multiply our impact, ensuring that available conservation funding is directed towards efforts to protect these incredible ancient ecosystems.
Support this Initiative
Your donation makes the critical difference for the fate of old growth in BC. Please donate today to help safeguard these magnificent ecosystems.