Perspectives and Approaches to Sustainable Forest Management on the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii

Abstract

The old growth hemlock and cedar forests on the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii are among the most biologically diverse temperate forests on Earth. They represent the largest intact temperate rainforests on Earth. Conflicts surrounding the use and management of forest resources on Haida Gwaii have received global attention. There have been many disagreements among the forest industry, the provincial government, the Haida Nation and local environmental groups with regard to forest management practices. There is much concern surrounding the current rate of harvest and the long­term supply of monumental sized red cedar (Thuja plicata).

The objective of this paper is to look for similarities among the often contrasting perspectives and approaches to sustainable forest management of the forest industry, the BC government, the Haida Nation and several local environmental groups.

A questionnaire was designed to assess different parties' understandings of and commitments to sustainable forest management. One representative from each of 11 organizations involved in forest management on Haida Gwaii was interviewed.

With respect to their perspectives on sustainable forest management, all respondents agreed that sustainable forest management involves balancing ecological, economic and social components. They also agreed that sustainable forest management involves managing the resource such that today's needs are met without compromising the resource for future generations.

The forest industry, the government, the Haida and the environmental groups agreed that cooperative work is a necessary precursor for sustainable forest management. The conservation and management of red cedar is important to the Haida and environmental groups, and to a lesser extent government and industry.

This research shows the four groups share similar perspectives and approaches to sustainable forest management. They are not as far apart as it often seems on the surface. Acknowledging one another's positions and recognizing commonalities may be an important first step in improving forest management strategies and practices on the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii.