Prince George BC- The Ancient Forest is moving closer to becoming a world heritage site.

Today the Province announced the  process has begun on making the site a Provincial Park or at the very least,  a designation that would  protect  the  10 thousand hectare  temperate rain forest that is  located about 115 kilometers east of  Prince George.  That designation is necessary in order to take the next step in having it declared a world heritage site.

The forest stand itself is estimated to be three to 4 thousand years old, with  giant red cedars that  are  a thousand years old.

The Province has signed an agreement with the Lheidli T’enneh and the Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Society that will see the  three partners work together to ensure the  Ancient Forest is  preserved, and  protected.

( at right, Nowell Senior of the Caledonia Ramblers, MLA Shirley Bond, and Lheidli T’enneh Chief  Dominic Frederick sign agreement –  photo 250News ) 

The  area could be designated a park,  an ecological reserve, a conservancy  or designated recreation  area.  No matter the official title,  the  site would be protected from  certain activities. “In order to get to that final  designation, we need to go through a consultation process” says MLA Bond.

The public consultation process will start  this fall, details  will be released at a later date.

“Regardless of the outcome,  the designation will ensure that this unique area will be excluded from timber harvesting and other commercial activity which will help preserve plant eco- systems, wildlife habitat and cultural values” says Bond  ” It will ensure, that these landmark trees will be around for future generations to enjoy for another thousand years.”

The agreement reads:

In recognition of the Ancient Forest – Chun toh whud u jud…

Agreement between the Province of British Columbia, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and the Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Society

Whereas the undersigned recognize the Ancient Forest is a unique rainforest habitat, home to exceptionally rare ecosystems and ancient cedars.  

Therefore the undersigned- agree to cooperate-through  processes to be established in good faith- on a process regarding how to protect and celebrate the unique ecosystems of the Ancient Forest.”

The Lheidli T’enneh  call the  forest “Chun toh whud u jud” which means  ‘the forest within the oldest area’.

UNBC Professor, Darwyn Coxson says the  forest is home to  unique  species,  including a type of  lichen that is  already extinct in Europe “After a decade of intensive research,  the Ancient cedar stands represent a rare inland temperate rainforest eco-system, one that has international conservation biology  significance.”   His colleagues from  other parts of the world agree this  area  has a strong case to be named a World Heritage Site.

Last year,  15 thousand people visited the forest,  and  records kept by the Caledonia Ramblers  indicate that since 2007,  people from across Canada,  38 different countries and 35 different States  in the U.S. have  visited the site.