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A recently discovered temperate rainforest north of Revelstoke should be turned into a provincial park, an environmental group has said.
The “major biodiversity hotspot” – thought to be the fourth of its kind in BC – was found in 2017.
The Valhalla Wilderness Society was afterwards informed and, after mounting an expedition to the area, realized it was a precious natural space that needs increased protection.
“Almost 20 years passed since discovering the Incomappleux ancient rainforest, and it was thought that the last of the truly intact and ancient Inland Rainforest ecosystem had already been found,” the society explained.
“Much to our excitement, a previously unstudied wilderness north of Revelstoke was found in 2017, where significant tracts of truly ancient and biodiverse Inland Rainforest and other rare ecosystem types have been growing undisturbed without roads or clearcut logging.”
They have now mapped out an 8,408-hectare park proposal encompassing the rare ecosystems.
It contains giant cedar trees thought to have been around for about 1,500 years – longer than England has existed.
The proposed park has been named the Rainbow-Jordan Wilderness by the society.
They added: “In addition to providing significant refuge for many rare and at-risk species, the Rainbow-Jordan Wilderness will, if preserved as a Class A provincial park, continue to provide wildlife with a refuge that is desperately needed from intensive motorized recreation and clearcut logging in the Revelstoke area.
“As a major, resilient life-support system for British Columbia in a time of climate uncertainty, the Rainbow-Jordan Wilderness should be protected for the safety and health of future generations.”
To see more, head to vws.org.
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