Map released showing dwindling old-growth forest on Vancouver Island

The environmental group says the map shows the most endangered old-growth rainforest only covers 6.5 per cent of the island. March 6, 2018. (Sierra Club of B.C.)

The Sierra Club of B.C. has released a new map showing that endangered old-growth rainforests on Vancouver Island are becoming – in its words – “as rare as white rhinos.”

The environmental group says the map shows the most endangered old-growth rainforest with the biggest trees and highest carbon storage per hectare now only covers 6.5 per cent of the island.

Senior forest and climate campaigner Jens Wieting says the group shared its maps and recommendations with the new B.C. government, which failed to provide any meaningful funding to protect old-growth in last month's budget.

Wieting says it's now up to local and Indigenous governments, businesses and concerned citizens to step up and insist that the most endangered old-growth rainforest stands be spared from the chainsaws.