Roberts Creek Headwaters Ancient Forest, within the Squamish First Nation’s traditional territory, is located on public (Crown) land about seven kilometres northeast of the community of Roberts Creek. The approximately 15-hectare mid-elevation forest is filled with culturally modified trees, 340 rare Pacific yews, ancient yellow cedar and hemlock that are up to 1,800 years old, and seven confirmed archeological sites. Its proximity to Sunshine Coast Highway 101, between Gibsons and Sechelt, which is a 40-minute ferry ride from Vancouver, makes it a prime eco-tourism destination.
In 2013, BC Timber Sales removed this area from its future harvesting plans after a team of scientists identified unique ecological and cultural attributes. The decision also stemmed from Elphinstone Logging Focus elevating the issue in the public’s eye.
Photography by TJ Watt.
