Despite widespread condemnation from conservation groups and scientists, the B.C. government is set to continue shooting wolves from helicopters in an attempt to save endangered mountain caribou herds from local extinction in the South Selkirk, South Peace and North Columbia herd areas. The wolf cull is happening in conjunction with other
Continue readingAuthor: Daniel Pierce
The Common Sense Canadian: Heartwood: How Vancouver Island lost 90% of its ancient rainforest
In Part 1 of this new 3-part mini-series titled Heartwood, filmmaker Daniel Pierce explores the endangered old-growth forests of Vancouver Island. Despite the reality that less than 10% of the prime, low-elevation old-growth remains on the island, these forests continue to be converted into second-growth tree farms. Pierce unpacks what the
Continue readingCortes Island: A Different Vision for Forestry in British Columbia
In 2012, I took a fateful trip to Cortes Island — a northern gulf island three ferry rides away from Vancouver — to document the Cortes community’s fight to fend off an impending logging operation by coastal timber giant Island Timberlands.
Community members took us deep into the woods privately owned by Island Timberlands and showed us the hidden pockets of old-growth that the company was targeting. I was struck by how passionate and knowledgeable these Cortes residents were about the land, sharing a trove of fascinating information about the fungal networks underlying our footsteps and their relationships with the giant trees that were scattered throughout this complex and ancient ecosystem.
They explained why cutting down this forest and replacing it with young trees was not adequate to protect the values they held dear. A young forest simply could not filter the drinking water, or sustain the wildlife, or generate the tourism interest that they required to continue living on this tiny island. And furthermore, they felt there was something sacred here that simply should not be tampered with.
The Common Sense Canadian: Filmmaker exploring new vision for forestry with video series
In 2012, I took a fateful trip to Cortes Island – a northern gulf island three ferry rides away from Vancouver – to document the Cortes community’s fight to fend off an impending logging operation by coastal timber giant Island Timberlands. Community members took us deep into the woods privately
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: Tensions grow over plan to log Central Walbran Valley’s ancient forests
Tensions are growing over plans to log an ultra-rare section of ancient forest in Vancouver Island’s Central Walbran Valley. Filmmaker Daniel Pierce offers stunning video of the region and coverage of the battle.
The post Tensions grow over plan to log Central Walbran Valley’s ancient forests appeared first on The Common Sense Canadian.
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: Industrial logging threatens Port Alberni drinking water: Alliance
Since 2011, the Watershed Forest Alliance has been focused on protecting the last pockets of old growth on Island Timberlands’ private forestlands around Port Alberni, Vancouver Island. They are also pushing for an end to industrial logging in the community’s watershed, where the citizens of Port Alberni get their drinking
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: Dramatic video of RCMP injunction enforcement on Burnaby Mountain
Filmmaker and Common Sense Canadian contributor Dan Pierce was on hand yesterday for the RCMP’s enforcement of a BC Supreme Court injunction to remove citizens from their Burnaby Mountain blockade of Kinder Morgan. Watch his dramatic footage here. Hours later, at approximately 10 PM last night, the Huston-based pipeline builder began
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian: BC First Nation takes “Great Land Grab” to international court
An interview with Robert Morales, Chief Negotiator for the Hul’qumi’num First Nations Treaty Group, about the E&N Railway Land Grants of 1887 and the lasting repercussions of this massive “land grab” for the Hul’qumi’num people today. Robert Morales represents the six Hul’qumi’num First Nations (Cowichan, Chemainus, Penelakut, Lyackson, Halalt, Lake
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