New B.C. park protects 'Ancient Forest' from loggers

A new B.C.parkwill protect an ancient cedar forest believed to be the only inland temperate rainforest in the world.

The northern park. known as the Ancient Forest, contains 1,000 year old treesas large as 16 metres aroundas well as rare lichens and mosses.

"It's an unknown world on our door step," said DarwynCoxson, aUniversity of Northern B.C. ecosystems science professorwho has been conducting research in the ancient forest for years.

The Ancient Forest Park, or Chun T'oh Wudujutin the local Lheidli language, is located 120 kilometres east of Prince George.

Until now, the area wascared for by dedicated volunteers, including many from the Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Society, who spent thousands of hours building trails and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk.

Last year, more than 20,000 people strolled through the majestic foreston a hillside beneath towering trees just off Highway 16.

Despite itsnatural beauty and unique ecosystems, the forest's future had beenthreatened by logging.

Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond says the government negotiated with companies logging in the area,including Canfor, tosetthe park's boundary.

"We have to find the balance between growing the economy and protecting and preserving," said Bond. " We feel very comfortable this will protect both the experience [of the ancient forest] and the park itself."

B.C. says it will also seek UnescoWorld Heritage status for the Ancient Forest.

Map: The Ancient Forest