Great Bear Rainforest

The Great Bear Rainforest is a global treasure that covers 6.4 million hectares on British Columbia’s north and central coast – equivalent in size to Ireland. All British Columbians have a stake in protecting it.

The historic agreement that secures the future of the Great Bear Rainforest means more old- and second-growth forest will be protected, while still ensuring opportunities for economic development and jobs for local First Nations.

On this page

• Working together
• The Great Bear Rainforest Agreement
• Visit this amazing place
• Queens Commonwealth Canopy​
• Learn more about the Great Bear Rainforest​

Working together

In February 2016, the Government of B.C., First Nations, environmental groups, and forest industry representatives announced the final decision on how the Great Bear Rainforest would be managed now and into the future. The approach is Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) and is based in science as well as traditional, local knowledge. EBM provides a big picture view of how people interact with their environment, how people’s needs are met while co-existing with plants, animals, seasonal changes and climate.

Did you know?

The Great Bear Rainforest Agreement

The 2016 Great Bear Rainforest Land Use Order and Great Bear Rainforest (Forest Management) Act will conserve 85% of the forest and 70% of old growth over time, achieving a high level of ecological integrity. Learn about this incredible place and the historic agreement that will conserve this area for generations to come.

• Great Bear Rainforest Agreement Highlights

Visit this amazing place

The Great Bear Rainforest has become a popular destination for travelers seeking first-hand views of the region’s stunning landscapes, waterways and array of wildlife. Learn more about what this amazing place has to offer including how to get there and what is available to see once you arrive.

• Visit the Great Bear Rainforest

Queens Commonwealth Canopy

As part of their 2016 Royal Tour, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge officially endorsed the Great Bear Rainforest under The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy was launched in 2015 with the goal of uniting the Commonwealth’s 53 members in conserving forests for future generations. The initiative, in The Queen’s name, will raise the awareness of the Commonwealth’s 2.3 billion citizens of the value of saving forests and facilitate knowledge exchange between Commonwealth members, sharing best practices and creating new, collaborative initiatives for forest conservation.

Learn more about the Great Bear Rainforest

The Great Bear Rainforest Education and Awareness Trust is registered as a charitable organization effective January 1, 2018. The goal of the new Great Bear Rainforest Education and Awareness Trust is to foster a deeper public recognition and appreciation of the unique nature of the Great Bear Rainforest and how the Government of BC, First Nations, industry and environmental organizations developed a world-class and innovative approach to managing both the natural environment and human activities.

Among other learning tools, this website provides detailed information around: 

• The Region: The North Coast and Central Coast regions of B.C. are unique because of the highly diverse plant, animal, and marine life and the equally diverse geography and climate.
• Biodiversity: Learn about the rich diversity of marine life, mammals, birds, plants and trees that make B.C's Great Bear Rainforest their home and contribute to the natural beauty of the region.

You can also find lessons plans, backgrounders, photographs and other information that can be helpful to further your learning.