Today, on the United Nations #InternationalDayForBiologicalDiversity, we are reflecting on this year’s theme, ‘Harmony with nature and sustainable development’ and what that means for forest conservation. In partnership with the Pender Islands Conservancy Association, we were able to purchase and protect KELÁ_EKE Kingfisher Forest in perpetuity. Since becoming a protected conservation area in 2023, we have been working to heal this land through small- and large-scale ecosystem restoration activities. In the face of the twin climate change and biodiversity crisis, protecting intact forest landscapes is more important than ever. Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems, some of the most rare and biodiverse in Canada, have become highly fragmented due to increased industry and urban development pressures. Throughout the Southern Gulf Islands, Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems have evolved unique genetic diversities island-to-island, thereby providing rare habitat and genetic refugia for a diverse array of terrestrial species. Over 80% of Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems occur on private lands in south coast British Columbia. People are inherently a part of these ecologies and have a role to play in stewarding these landscapes. We can help build harmony with nature by protecting, conserving, and restoring the rare biological diversity that remains on this planet. Read more about KELÁ_EKE Kingfisher Forest here: https://www.raincoast.org/2023/01/we-did-it-kela_eke-kingfisher-forest-has-been-protected/ Additional footage by Alex Harris (fb)

The Southern Resident killer whales are on a trajectory to extinction, but extinction is not inevitable. There are feasible solutions that could reduce the threats from underwater noise and pollution, and improve access to salmon, all of which would help the whales recover. Learn more and how you can help: https://www.raincoast.org/2025/02/southern-resident-killer-whales-emergency-protection/ #EndangeredSpeciesDay #Orcas (fb)