The Great Bear Rainforest

The Great Bear Rainforest - the largest unspoiled tract of temperate rainforest left on Earth - is one of Mark’s favourite wild places. About twice the size of the Serengeti, it is under severe threat. This breathtaking wilderness of ancient trees, glacial waterfalls, rocky headlands, coves, inlets, bays and islands stretches seamlessly from the northern end of Vancouver Island all the way to Alaska, and it is home to everything from bald eagles and beavers to wolves and whales. One of its most famous inhabitants is a rare white form of the American black bear, the spirit bear (right).

In 2006, the Canadian province of British Columbia announced that it was going to protect a third of this vast area from commercial activities. This is good news - but what it means is that two-thirds of one of the most important wildlife regions on the planet is up for grabs by commercial loggers, miners and the hydroelectric power industry. The agreement does specify that these activities must be sustainable, but anyone who believes that is going to happen without a fight is kidding themselves. Canada’s logging industry, in particular, has an appalling track record.

The sad fact is that we’ve become used to losing environmental battles. Our expectations are now so low that we are thankful for progress of any kind. We’re not saying that every last tree needs to be saved, but perhaps we should revert to the days when we aimed a little higher?

Conservation groups and First Nation communities continue the battle. Find out how you can help at the wonderful Rainforest Conservation Foundation, www.raincoast.org