Threatened Ancient Douglas Fir in the Stoltmann Wilderness by John Clarke
Greater Vancouver's proximity to pristine wilderness is one the reasons it is consistently as a rated as one of the best cities on Earth to live. The largest piece of wild country within a day's travel from the city is the 500,000 hectare Stoltmann Wilderness.
Kwa Kwayexwelh-Aynexws: Wild Spirit Places
Located to the West of the resort community of Whistler, the Stoltmann Wilderness straddles BC's Coast Mountain Range and encompasses the most southerly portion of coastal grizzly bears and moose as well as the oldest know living Douglas-fir trees in Canada (1,300 years). This is wilderness that rivals the great Canadian Rocky Mountain parks and High Sierras of California for its spectacular peaks, ancient forests and clear glacial-fed streams.
In 2001, after years of passionate protest by concerned citizens, International Forest Products (Interfor) stopped logging in the core of the Stoltmann Wilderness including the Upper Elaho River Valley and Sims Creek Valley.
The Squamish Nation has since purchased Tree Farm License 38 from Interfor and declared the Elaho and Sims Valleys and other areas within the Stoltmann Wilderness, which are part of their traditional territory, 'Wild Spirit Places', and off-limits to commercial logging.
In 2007, as a result of the Sea to Sky Land Use Planning Process and negotiations with the Squamish Nation, the BC government passed legislation protecting the Wild Spirit Places including the Upper Elaho and Sims Creek Valleys.
Read our reports and view our maps on the Stoltmann Wilderness!
Links to these publications and maps as well as to the Sea to Sky Land Use Plan website can be found in the left column.
