The 2016 Great Bear Rainforest Land Use Order and Great Bear Rainforest (Forest Management) Act will conserve 85% of the forest and 70% of old growth over time, achieving a high level of ecological integrity.
These initiatives also fulfill cultural, social and economic objectives of First Nations and other communities to meet a high level of human well-being. These goals were first announced in 2006. This work will continue as outlined in the Land Use Order and Act, for many years to come.
The Great Bear Rainforest covers 6.4 million hectares on British Columbia’s north and central coast – equivalent in size to Ireland. This land is home to 26 First Nations that overlap the region and have lived there for millennia.
Over the last five years, the Province of British Columbia and First Nation governments in partnership with stakeholders have made significant progress in the implementation of the Great Bear Rainforest (GBR) Agreements.
Our collaboration has included:
2023 | B.C. government enacts amendments to the Great Bear Rainforest Land Use Order to legally implement elements of the announcement. |
2022 |
The Province and First Nations technical representatives complete their review of GBR implementation and develop a consensus package of potential changes for public consultation. Coast Funds’ investments in First Nations conservation and economic development reach $105.9 million over 432 unique projects in the Great Bear Rainforest. |
2021 |
The legislated periodic review of Great Bear Rainforest implementation begins led by technical representatives from the province, Coastal First Nations, and Nanwakolas Council. The first round of Landscape Reserve Designs (LRDs) receive government-to-government endorsement beginning the last phase in the completion of the old growth reserve network. An interim policy was agreed government-to-government to delay harvest decisions for areas without First Nations endorsed LRDs. |
2020 | Coastal First Nations – Province of British Columbia sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to continue and expand their work to protect the environment and boost the regional economy. |
2019 | The province invests $2.5 million over three years to support conservation and capacity funding for ecological monitoring, aquatic habitat restoration, First Nations strategic planning, land, and marine stewardship. |
2018 | B.C. government ends grizzly bear hunt throughout the province. |
2017 | B.C. government passes the Great Bear Rainforest (Forest Management) Act to conserve 85% of the forest and 70% of old growth over time. |
2016 | B.C. government enacts new Great Bear Rainforest Land Use Order to legally implement elements of the announcement. |
2015 | B.C. government, after government-to-government discussions, invites public comments on a new proposed Great Bear Rainforest Land Use Order and potential new Special Forest Management Areas. |
2014 | Joint Solutions Project submits detailed recommendations to B.C. government, Coastal First Nations and Nanwakolas Council. |
2010/2011 | B.C. government reaches reconciliation protocol agreements with Coastal First Nations and Nanwakolas Council. One outcome is to increase their participation in the forest sector and protect cultural and social interests. |
2009 | 114 conservancies and 21 biodiversity, mining and tourism areas are established from 2006 to 2009. |
2009 | B.C. government amends the land use orders to protect 50% of natural historic old growth forests; all participants agree to a five-year work plan to implement ecosystem-based management. |
2007 | New legal land use orders are established for the South Central Coast and Central North Coast. |
2006 | B.C. and First Nations announce the Coast Land Use Decision and commit to ecosystem-based management throughout the Great Bear Rainforest. |
2003/2004 | Planning participants deliver consensus recommendations to the B.C. government; discussions begin with area First Nations governments. |
2000 | Several coastal forest companies and environmental groups agree to collaborate through a Joint Solutions Project. |
1996 | Land and resource management planning begins on the coast of B.C. |
For more information about GBR Land Use Orders visit the Great Bear Rainforest - Coast Land Use Decision Update