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First Nations, federal and provincial governments reach conservation agreement

Woman walking through an old growth forest. Massive trees to her left.
Old growth forest in British Columbia. Photo by Bailey Repp.
Scott Onyschak - CJLY - Kootenay • BC | 03-11-2023
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A tripartite agreement between the federal government, the British Columbia government and First Nations that will see $1 billion used to protect BC’s landscape and species was reached on Friday.

The Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation aims to protect 30 per cent of BC’s land and waters by 2030. The main focus of the agreement is on old growth forests and hopes to help sustain habitat for species in decline.

Wildsight Executive Director Robyn Duncan says the agreement will help protect the Kootenay forests. 

“In the Kootenay region, we’ve lost mountain caribou and other wildlife populations are experiencing decline. This agreement will lead to long term habitat protection and also habitat restoration.”

A conference was held in Vancouver to announce the deal. BC Premier David Eby and the Elected Regional Chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations Terry Teegee shared their thoughts on this historic agreement. The conference in its entirety can be viewed on YouTube.

Listen to the story on CJLY below:

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