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Resources
- BCTS 5 Year Plan 2023 – 2027 Directory
- BCTS 5 Year Plan 2023 – 2027 – Mount Elphinstone
- BCTS – Updates
- SCCF Operating Plan
- Engagement Plan for South Elphinstone – 2022
- Assessment of the Burnett Creek Tributary Landslide
- Elphinstone Medicinal Plants
- Forest Related Research
- Maps
  - SCCF Age Class claims vs reality
  - BC Gov Old Growth Maps
  - Sunshine Coast Forest District
  - Sunshine Coast Landscape Unit – OGMA – BioGeoClimatic Zones
  - BEO Zone Maps – biogeoclimate forest zones on the Sunshine Coast.
  - Sunshine Coast-remaining natural forests
  - OGMAs in Howe and Chapman Landscape Units
  - Google Earth – Maps – Dakota Bowl Watershed
  - Google Earth – Maps – Dakota RidgeThe following Google Earth image shows the close proximatey of the Dakota Ridge Recreation Area to the proposed TSL:A84612 cutblocks of the Ministry of Forestry. For the many reasons layed out within the website the Dakota Ridge Ancient Forest need to be saved to become part of a protected area and enjoyed by all.
  - Google Earth – Maps – Wilson Creek Forest (EW002)Wilson Creek Forest is situated on the lower slopes of Mt Elphinstone a short 10 minute drive from the Hwy 101 intersection at Roberts Creek. It sits directly above the Wilson Creek Plaza. As these pictures show it is one of the few remaining intact forests close to an urban center. It is an Inter-Urban Forest never before logged. It contains many old-growth features, including beautiful stands of tall, old Coastal Douglas-firs. The Wilson Creek Forest is on the books of Sunshine Coast Community Forests (SCCF) to be logged. A stay of execution was ordered until further studies are undertaken. Directly below this forest is an 2010 Island Timberlands clearcut, and above it are a series of BCTS blocks. If this patch of forest was allowed to be logged, it would link up clear-cuts to the north and south, creating a massive logged out area. The Wilson Creek Watershed has experienced 50-60% forest cover loss which should trigger a moratorium on all future logging. Over logged watersheds are known to lead to wild fluctuations in water flow levels which leads to bank instability, increased sediment levels and because Wilson Creek is a salmon bearing stream it all adds up to a…
  - Google Earth – Maps – Mt Elphinstone AreaThis aerial view (provided by Google Maps) shows the extent of logging on the lower slopes of the Mt Elphinstone area, above the village of Roberts Creek. The largest of the clearcuts is the infamous 160Ha (400 acre) CNI (Columbia National Investments) cutblock on their private lands. CNI was later charged on a fisheries violation for logging completely through a fish bearing stream. The other cutblocks seen are BC Timber Sales clearcuts. A proposed BCTS Block A87124 would connect up with the CNI clearcut on its southern boundary, adding to the total de-forested area.
  - Community Interface Zone – Closely Matches Park ExpansionCheck out the map link below in pdf form and see how closely the Ministry of Forests ‘Community Interface Zone’ in Roberts Creek matches our proposed Park Expansion. Regarding the proposed Elphinstone Park expansion it is interesting to note that the proposed expanded boundaries of the park match very closely an area above Roberts Creek identified on a Ministry of Forests map as a ‘Community Interface Zone’. In other words an area where the Ministry of Forests has for some time recognized that there is an overlap of logging interests and Community Interests such as recreation, environmental protection, water source protection, etc. Surely the Community and Environmental values far outweigh the short term value of clear cut logging in this Zone. Another reason in favour Elphinstone Park Expansion Proposal. Map Community Interface Zone
  - Age Class Maps
  - Area Maps – 5 Year Logging Plans
  - Community Forest Logging Maps
  - shíshálh Nation swiya Map
- Gibsons Integrated Stormwater Management Planning
- LRUP (Local Resource Use Plan) – call for moratorium on BCTS cutblocks…Sunshine Coast residents are upset watching the 1,500Ha lower slopes of Mt. Elphinstone being logged out. Sure trees grow back, however I want to express that BC Timber Sales’ plan to turn this, high-value multi-use area, into a continuous series of tree farms is unacceptable based on several environmental and economic reasons. This area has a few isolated forest patches protected, i.e.: the 139Ha Elphinstone Prov. Park (along with some surrounding OGMAs) while logging of the last remaining intact forests continues. The 1,500Ha mountain slopes is used by a diverse set of stakeholders, but the area is being compromised by a lack of an integrated plan. This situation calls for a LRUP (Land Resource Unit Plan), so that increasing tensions can be resolved. After the popular TrailFest-Wagon Forest was logged, it became clear that the public is not being listened to. BCTS was approached to find 27Ha (the cutblock size) outside of the 1,500 lower slopes as a solution, however our voices went unanswered. The public (including 1st Nations) must be invited to roundtable meetings to discuss and resolve this land use management problem. Its essential to impose a moratorium on all future BCTS cutblocks planned within the 1,500Ha area…
- Mount Elphinstone – History of Conflict 1983 Logging on Mt Elphinstone causes disastrous flooding in neighbouring residential area during heavy rains. 1985: B.C. Ministry of Forests ( MoF ) sets up a short-lived Elphinstone Local Resource Use Plan( LRUP ) process that excludes community involvement. MoF continues to issue logging permits on Mt. Elphinstone. 1990: MoF plans to spray herbicides in clearcuts within Mt. Elphinstone domestic watersheds. Local residents successfully blockade the attempt. 1991: MoF resurrects the Elphinstone LRUP process. MoF refuses to participate in public meetings. Community members form a Concerned Coast Residents group and submit a silviculture plan to the LRUP. MoF rejects their proposal and continuous to allow industrial logging on Mt. Elphinstone. 1992: Mof opens the LRUP process to local input and makes assurances “that nothing will happen” without the “sanction” of the LRUP committee. 1993: MoF advertises Mt. Elphinstone cut blocks and continues to allow road building and logging without LRUP committee report. 1993: MoF places arsenic-treated structures in Flume Creek, the source of water for more than thirty licensed water users in the Elphinstone area. 1994: Concerned Coast Residents, Elphinstone Electors, Roberts Creek Community Association and Forest Watch members re-state their concerns regarding clean water, biodiversity and sustainable jobs…
- Overview of Community ForestAttribution: The Following overview is taken from the SCCA (Sunshine Coast Conservation Association) Introduction The Sechelt Community Forest is a logging company. It is licensed by the provincial government to log within certain mandated areas and required to meet a minimum annual cut. This business venture is owned by a single shareholder – the District of Sechelt. Although the District claims to maintain an “arms-length” relationship, we suspect that the purpose of this policy is to insulate the District of Sechelt from public pressure related to the community forest. A History of Public Concerns Ignored The SCCA is not categorically opposed to community forests, per se. We were the original proponents of community forestry in the Sunshine Coast Regional District, and so we were very interested when the District of Sechelt announced its intention to apply for a “probationary community forest agreement” in 2003. Unfortunately, it soon became obvious that the District’s application was entirely about opening up the Chapman/Gray drinking watershed (and other sensitive areas) to logging and that the District did not intend to genuinely consider the concerns of the community about this. Just about everyone imaginable (including the Sechelt Indian Band, the SCRD, the Town of Gibsons,…
- Economic Value Ecosystems Provide[gallery link="file" columns="1"] Article: Vancouver Sun – October 28, 2010 David Susuki Foundation and Pacific Parklands Foundation – Report Examines the extent of the regions ‘natural capital’ – forests, fields, wetlands, watersheds and other ecosystems and estimates the economic values the ecosyetms provide. The study found that the ecosystems with the highest values are wetlands($4,000 to $6,000 per hectare) and forest ($5,900 to $7,400 per hectare)per year…..
- Ancient Forests – the Canopy – EcosystemsTED Talks – Richard Preston on the giant trees http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_preston_on_the_giant_trees.html Science writer Richard Preston talks about some of the most enormous living beings on the planet, the giant trees of the US Pacific Northwest. Growing from a tiny seed, they support vast ecosystems — and are still, largely, a mystery. TEDTalks2008 – Filmed Feb2008 [hr] TED Talks – Nalini Nadkarni on conserving the canopy. http://www.ted.com/talks/nalini_nadkani_on_conserving_the_canopy.html A unique ecosystem of plants, birds and monkeys thrives in the treetops of the rainforest. Nalini Nadkarni explores these canopy worlds — and shares her findings with the world below, through dance, art and bold partnerships. TEDTalks2009 – Filmed Feb2009 [hr]
- Suggested Reading-Books-PapersThe following are a suggested reading list of books, articles and papers on the forest and our environment. Feel free to contribute. Thanks. Reading List on Related Subjects – Rick O’Neal
- Forest Recreation
  - Mountain Biking On The Sunshine Coast
- Forest Bathing – Learn About the Health Benefits of Forests
- FAQQ: What Forest Service Map areas do Roberts Creek, Gibsons, Mt Elphinstone and Dakota Ridge fall under? A: They are all considered as being a part of the Chapman & Howe Landscape Units. [hr] Q: How much of the Sunshine Coast forests (Timber Supply Area – TSA) are protected? A: According to the MOF Public Discussion Paper – the Timber Supply Review that sets the AAC (annual allowable cut) only 2% of the whole area (which extends up into Desolation Sound) is set aside for parks and ecological reserves. Details: Sunshine Coast TSA core area= 1,560,426 hectares 2% of this is parks and ecological reserves (30,481 hectares) 4% of this is private land (62,129 hectares) 67% of this is non-forest (1,041,953 hectares) The remaining 27% is productive forest (425,863 hectares) Of this productive forest, approximately half or 222,894 hectares makes up the timber harvesting land base. Source: Ministry of Forests (MOF) , Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Sunshine Coast District
- Letters to the Editor – Sunshine Coast Community Forest (SCCF)
- Letters to the Editor – Elphinstone Park ExpansionOngoing letters (to the editor) of support and concern for the Elphinstone Park Expansion can be viewed by visting the CoastReporter and thelocal.ca online or by picking up a hard copy. Keep Your lettyers coming. Thank you.
- Media/ArticlesDakota Ridge Ancient Forests The following two articles on Dakota Ridge Ancient Forests have been taken from articles written by Heather Conn and can be seen and read in their entirety at her blog through the links below. Date: September 11, 2011 Giant-yellow-cedars-at-risk-on-Dakota-Ridge: Save-our-ancient-forests [hr] Date: January 23, 2011 A “living museum” on Mount Elphinstone could be logged It’s one thing to seek protection of old-growth forest for the purely theoretical and practical sake of conservation and sustainability. It’s another to stand beneath centuries-old cedars or Douglas firs and absorb their size and wonder in your heart and gut, witnessing the canopy and life they provide for so many creatures, big and small. At such times, it’s hard to imagine an ancient forest without all of its trees and flora and fauna that thrive in symbiosis, from a creek to the nurse logs to the mushrooms to the moss to the birds and so on. I still remember, decades ago, standing amidst the vast array of stumps of old-growth trees in the Carmanah Valley on Vancouver Island, B.C., feeling sickened by the gutted, clearcut landscape. Right next to it stood a thriving forest of cedars and firs. I stared at…
- VideosThis 8 minute video of the Wilson Creek Forest shows this beautiful forest in all its pristine glory and lays out the reasons why it needs to be protected from the threat of eminent logging. This never-before-logged area is just a 10 minute drive from Roberts Creek and has a wonderful community trail that winds down to the pristine and untouched forest edges of Wilson Creek. [highlight]It is the last large intact forest in the entire Wilson Creek Watershed and the key western most forest that lies within the proposed Elphinstone Park Expansion boundaries. Click the Button To See the Video[/highlight] Among its many important features, are a number of groves of the threatened Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem which the government states are threatened province wide.This forest was under deferment(for further study) from being logged because of the efforts of many of the community, however the logging company has restated its intentions to log… this area is worth permanently saving…Click the Button To See the Video… we are sure you will agree…
Get Involved

All Articles Below Can be Seen and Read in Their Entirety Through the Attached Links

2021

Connecting the dots between B.C.’s floods, landslides and the clearcut logging of old forests

On B.C.’s Sunshine Coast, some of Canada’s oldest living trees escape the chopping block

B.C. opens Sunshine Coast forest — home to some of Canada’s oldest trees — to logging

A heartfelt protest in B.C.’s Clack Creek Forest

https://www.coastreporter.net/local-news/appeal-denied-on-hm50-cutblock-approval-4805415

https://www.coastreporter.net/local-news/hm50-cutting-permit-award-complaint-filed-4531234

https://www.coastreporter.net/local-news/community-forest-set-to-log-in-halfmoon-bay-4339795

https://www.coastreporter.net/local-news/gibsons-and-elf-ask-province-to-remove-reed-road-forest-from-bc-timber-sales-allocation-4773615

2016/2017/ 2018/2019/2020

There have been many articles written regarding our forest protection efforts. To view them in their entirety please go to the Coast Reporter or The Local Weekly and search for Elphinstone Logging Focus or ELF. Additionally For more pictures and videos visit our FB page here.

Also Respective Campaign pages have some list w/links of Media Articles.

At October 24, 2019 –

Clack Creek Gallery Forest – Two news articles:.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/sunshine-coast-group-rallies-to-save-forest-with-1000-hearts-from-loggers

https://www.coastreporter.net/news/local-news/elf-creates-forest-with-a-thousand-hearts-1.23986815

2016

September 26, 2016 – Vancouver Sun: Editorial: Victoria must intervene in renewed ‘war in the woods’

Coast Reporter:

We need peace on the mountain

SEPTEMBER 22, 2016

The protest on Mount Elphinstone took a decided turn for the stupid this week. Sunshine Coast RCMP reported three more arrests, including two men in their twenties – one from Bowen Island – who . . .
Six protesters arrested

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) members and supporters staged a highly visible protest this week, after six people were arrested Sept. 9 for defying a court order against blockading a controversial. . .
ELF to fight injunction in court

SEPTEMBER 8, 2016

A lawyer for Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) was expected to appear in a Vancouver courtroom on Sept. 8 to argue for the lifting of an injunction against the group’s blockade on the slopes of Mount. . .
Injunction granted against logging protesters

SEPTEMBER 1, 2016

The company that holds timber harvesting rights for a contentious cutblock on the slopes of Mount Elphinstone has won an injunction against protesters. Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) set up camp. . .
ELF denies protesters violated campfire ban

AUGUST 25, 2016

Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) activists are facing scrutiny over campfires in the area around their latest protest camp. ELF established a camp on Mount Elphinstone in June in an attempt to . . .
Clarification regarding plant ecologist

AUGUST 25, 2016

Editor: Re: “ELF expecting injunction,” Aug. 18 online edition. The above story makes a reference to the Forest Practices Board that is not correct and I would like to clarify the board’s . . .
ELF expecting injunction

AUGUST 18, 2016

Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) is expecting the company that won a BC Timber Sales (BCTS) auction to harvest in cutblock A87125 on Mount Elphinstone to apply to the courts to have a blockade . . .

And much more…

2015

Vancouver Sun – September 23, 2015

B.C. suspends sale of ancient forest on Sunshine Coast identified as hot spot for bear dens

CBC News – September 21, 2015

Logging protesters win temporary victory on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast

2014

Blockade, logging end after AJB talks to Nohr – CHAPMAN WATERSHED

John Gleeson / Staff Writer – www.coastreporter.net
October 16, 2014 09:26 AM

– See more at: http://www.coastreporter.net/news/local-news/blockade-logging-end-after-ajb-talks-to-nohr-1.1428675#sthash.3sxCoeJo.j1FaguVx.dpuf

http://www.coastreporter.net/news/local-news/blockade-logging-end-after-ajb-talks-to-nohr-1.1428675

Note: Hans Penner of Roberts Creek (running for 2014 SCRD Rep) was instrumental in bringing this recent logging in the Chapman Creek Drinking Watershed to a halt. He brokered the deal between Surespan (the logging company) and the Regional District, with Gary Nohr (SCRD Rep) assisting. If politics is the ‘art of compromise’, when the cards are on the table, then it appears Penner knows how to represent the issues fairly to get a deal done.

2013

January – 2013

Coast Reporter article – Jan 25, 2013: SCRD calls for halt to planned logging in watershed

Coast Reporter article – Jan 18, 2013: ELF launches campaign against McNeill Lake logging

Coast Radio station article – Jan 18, 2013: McNeill Lake Logging Plan Latest to Stir Controversy

2012

See also the respective campaign within the Campaign section and the respective Letters to the editor within Media/Articles…

Date: Saturday, June 2, 2012
Subject: Wilson Creek Forest
Content: Read Heather Conn’s article on the Wilson Creek Forest “What does a TRUE community forest mean? Not stumps and short-sightedness”

Date: Friday, March 16, 2012
Subject: The Mt Elphinstone Park We Deserve
Content: Two Pages Published in the Coast Reporter
The Mt Elphinstone Park We Deserve

Date: March 9, 2012
Subject: Elphinstone Park Expansion
Publication:thelocalweekly.ca
Content: Two Pages decription (SEE March 16, above)

March 2, 2012
Subject: Elphinstone Park Expansion
Publication:Coast Reporter
Content: One Pages decription (SEE March 16, above)

Subject: Dakota Ridge Ancient Forests

Date: September 11, 2011
Giant-yellow-cedars-at-risk-on-Dakota-Ridge: Save-our-ancient-forests
Publication: HeatherConnblogs.com

Date: September 8, 2011
Elders visit ancient Dakota Ridge forest:
Publication:thelocalweekly.ca

Date: January 23, 2011
A “living museum” on Mount Elphinstone could be logged
Publication: HeatherConnblogs.com

It’s one thing to seek protection of old-growth forest for the purely theoretical and practical sake of conservation and sustainability. It’s another to stand beneath centuries-old cedars or Douglas firs and absorb their size and wonder in your heart and gut, witnessing the canopy and life they provide for so many creatures, big and small. At such times, it’s hard to imagine an ancient forest without all of its trees and flora and fauna that thrive in symbiosis, from a creek to the nurse logs to the mushrooms to the moss to the birds and so on.

I still remember, decades ago, standing amidst the vast array of stumps of old-growth trees in the Carmanah Valley on Vancouver Island, B.C., feeling sickened by the gutted, clearcut landscape. Right next to it stood a thriving forest of cedars and firs. I stared at both of these side-by-side scenes, which represented the opposite extremes of devastation and vibrant life, and wondered: How could anyone witness this loss of ancient life, so close to an abundant forest, and not think that something was out of kilter?

A friend of mine recently went up to the forest on Mount Elphinstone near Dakota Ridge recreation area on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, where ancient yellow cedars are slated for logging, and shared these comments: “I was astounded with what I discovered. Just 300-400 metres from the access road (quite nearby to the D-Ridge parking lot & warming hut) is a forest unlike any I’ve seen anywhere — and I’ve explored plenty of forests. It’s a high-elevation Old-Growth remnant (i.e. an island) about 45 hectares in size, chock-a-block with veteran yellow cedar and hemlock trees, many of which are easily 400-1000 years of age. I’ve never seen such a dense old growth forest.

“But that’s only part of it ……

Save it and we will have an educational site more valuable than Stanley Park or Cathedral Grove (which lack the culturally modified trees).”…..

For the complete article visit A “living museum” on Mount Elphinstone could be logged

This page is still under construction more articles will be populated soon.

Please check back later.

Thank you.

We need peace on the mountain

Six protesters arrested

ELF to fight injunction in court

Injunction granted against logging protesters

ELF denies protesters violated campfire ban

Clarification regarding plant ecologist

ELF expecting injunction