Preserving the abundant natural beauty of Canada’s wild forests
Located in southeastern British Columbia, the Darkwoods property is bounded by the town of Creston in the south and Lake Kootenay in the east. The area is extraordinarily biodiverse, yet prior to the project, the forest was subject to extensive commercial logging with negative effects on the local water system, soil retention and ecosystem biodiversity
created to date and increasing annually
mitigated on average annually
protected from commercial logging to sequester carbon
Darkwoods Forest Conservation is a carbon sequestration project that achieves emissions reductions by preventing emissions otherwise caused by these logging activities. The project area connects a surrounding network of protected lands into one contiguous conservation area of over 100,000 hectares, preserving habitat for at-risk native wildlife including an endangered herd of mountain caribou. The property also serves as an ecological corridor for roaming keystone species such as grizzly bears, wolverines and elk. The Darkwoods conservation area is also a ‘living laboratory’ for scientists who conduct a wide range of research, from insect impact studies to conservation strategies.
Through its promotion of ecosystem interconnectivity and protection of critical habitat for endangered wildlife, the Darkwoods project boasts an array of exceptional biodiversity benefits. The forest conservation improves local soil quality and contributes to the greater health of freshwater systems throughout the South Selkirk Mountains. By preserving the natural environment, Darkwoods also promotes the wellbeing of surrounding communities who derive high levels of intrinsic and economic value from the area’s abundant natural beauty. To date, over 500 public access permits have been issued, creating unique recreation opportunities for visitors from all walks of life.
