It is home to thousands of species of plants, birds and animals including grizzly bears and the rare Kermode or spirit bears, wolves, bald eagles and endangered salmon runs. The first phase of that agreement was endorsed today by the BC government. It provides for permanent protection of 20 rainforest valleys, deferrals of logging in 68 valleys, and an ongoing process towards protecting the Great Bear Rainforest. Once the plan is phased in, it will also guarantee that future logging practices in other areas of the Great Bear Rainforest will become more ecologically responsible. The Spirit Bear is found only in the Great Bear Rainforest and nowhere else on earth.
Today is a day for celebration.
Tomorrow we can continue the work to ensure that the long term health of the Great Bear Rainforest is guaranteed. The BC government's endorsement follows an intense global campaign by environmental organizations targeting the trade and investments of companies involved with logging the rainforest. In recent months, Greenpeace has been increasing pressure by conducting a world-wide campaign targeting coastal logging companies. During this campaign Greenpeace carried out protests and other campaign activities in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, China and Japan, with blockades of wood shipments, protests at embassies, retail outlets and lumber yards, and back room discussions with customers of the BC companies, to persuade investors and customers to demand an end to the destruction. As a result of the campaign by Greenpeace and other environmental groups, British and Canadian fund managers, including the Royal Bank, have divested shares in logging companies, and dozens of companies have voiced strong concerns over the practices of BC logging companies.