This week marks another milestone in the ongoing efforts to protect Canada's west coast rainforest, and support the communities that live there.

You likely heard the announcement that a new $120 million fund was launched to spur the conservation economy in the Great Bear Rainforest.
In an innovative and unprecedented move, leaders in the BC environmental community set out to raise $60 million in philanthropic funds (largely though our friends at the Tides Canada Foundation) and have it matched by government money.

As I stood at the press conference listening to our new Environment Minister John Baird describe in great detail the ecology of the Great Bear Rainforest and why it needed to be protected, I was struck by the remarkable path we took to get here.

For ten years, the conservation vision for Great Bear Rainforest has been close to our hearts at Hollyhock Leadership Institute.  During this time, myself, Darcy Riddell, and many other Hollyhock Leadership Institute associates - including board members Merran Smith and Jody Holmes - were part of the visioning and strategic development of this campaign.  Looking back over the long journey, I see two key elements that brought us to today. 

The first is about vision, and thinking big.  Ten years ago the Great Bear Rainforest didn't exist - in fact the government referred to most of the region as the Mid-Coast Timber Supply Area.  The vision of protecting the biggest swath of what remained of BC's coastal temperate rainforest came from the hearts and minds of a few bold and creative conservationists.  Were it not for that large-scale, unifying vision, none of this would have been possible.  Since the inception of that vision, a great many people with all manner of ideas, expertise and resources have joined in the effort to protect and support this rainforest and the people that live there. They were drawn by the vision.  The lesson I take away is - "Build it and they will come."

The second element of success in this story is about tenacity.  There were many times throughout this campaign - many, many times - where most of the key players said it could not be done.  There were many obstacles and lots of opposition, all along the way.  In fact, when the campaign was launched, then BC Premier Glen Clark responded by calling those of us involved  "Enemies of British Columbia".  But we stuck with it.  And over the next ten years a few individuals had the faith and determination to keep moving forward, through what seemed insurmountable difficulties, even though there was no obvious light at the end of the tunnel.  Just keep paddling forward - that's the lesson.  In any project like this the currents to pull off course will be many way.  The only way to move forward is to keep steadily paddling toward the vision.

This has been one of the biggest and most complex conservation efforts in Canada - and it still continues (www.savethegreatbear.org) - With more work to be done, reforming forest practices, looking for more protection and building a new conservation-based economy.  Yet at this point, we can take time to celebrate, reflect, and share the lessons learned.

Finally, back at the office here at 220 Cambie Street, things are changing too.  Natalie is on maternity leave, healthy and happy and about to have her baby any day! She has been replaced by Jennie Reckon who is doing a great job of filling those big shoes.  And we are hiring a new Program and Development Director as our fabulous Darcy is going to be working with us on consulting projects through our new enterprising arm!  If you need specific services in terms of strategic facilitation or project management, give us a call and we'll tell you about our new offerings. Please also take a few minutes to fill out our Community Needs Survey and win prizes, including tuition discounts!

Hope to see you soon,

Karen