For Immediate Release:
Kukama?nam/Kimberley
Incomappleux protection marks a turning point for protection of rare Inland Temperate Rainforest
Wildsight celebrates the creation of the Incomappleux Conservancy in the heart of the Inland Temperate Rainforest (ITR). The Province is permanently protecting 58,654 hectares which includes rare and ancient forest in the Incomappleux Valley, south of Glacier National Park and southeast of Revelstoke. The protection comes after decades of threats to the Incomappleux River Valley, including an independent power project, and several attempts to log the remaining ancient forests. In 2005, a landslide occurred in the Incomappleux canyon halting logging operations and making the road impassable.
“The Incomappleux Conservancy is an incredible step forward in protecting the irreplaceable old growth forests of the Inland Temperate Rainforest, in supporting Indigenous leadership, and in advancing on our provincial commitment to protect 30% of our lands and waters by 2030,” says Eddie Petryshen, Wildsight’s Conservation Specialist.
The Incomappleux is home to cedar trees estimated to be 1,800 years old — some of the Inland Temperate Rainforest’s most magical forests. Several species of new-to-science lichens have been found in these ancient forests.
“We hope this marks a turning point for the trajectory of the Inland Temperate Rainforest,” says Petryshen.
Two years ago, the Inland Temperate Rainforest was assessed as a red-listed ecosystem on the brink of ecosystem collapse — scientists refer to the ITR as one of the world’s most imperilled temperate rainforests.
The ITR hosts globally significant biodiversity, the world’s only deep snow dwelling mountain caribou, which are critically endangered, and critical carbon stores in these old and ancient forests.
“The Incomappleux is an incredible and globally significant forest that absolutely deserves protection. This is a much-needed first step towards protecting the Inland Temperate Rainforest. We hope to soon see the neighbouring Westfall River included in protection, and that other important places like the Seymour River, Frisby, and Rainbow Creek areas north of Revelstoke will be permanently protected next.” says Petryshen.
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For media inquiries, contact:
Eddie Petryshen,
Conservation Specialist
eddie(at)wildsight.ca
250.427.9885
Supporting documents:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023PREM0005-000087
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/8/775
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