YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Our Forests Are Under Siege – And No One Is Protecting Them
To the Editor,
The forests of the Fraser Valley have long been a symbol of British Columbia’s natural beauty, drawing hikers, families, and tourists from across the province and beyond. But today, those same forests are being systematically destroyed—and those tasked with protecting them are nowhere to be found.
Encampments built by homeless individuals have begun to sprawl through our public lands, including protected forests and Crown land. Structures—some as tall as three stories—are being constructed from cut trees, tarps, and scrap materials, turning pristine wilderness into unsafe, polluted zones. Fires, trash, human waste, and aggressive animals are increasingly common. Hiking trails are being abandoned by locals and visitors alike due to safety concerns.
This is not a matter of compassion versus cruelty. It’s about balance—and right now, there is none. We fully acknowledge the complexity of homelessness and support humane, long-term solutions. But many of these individuals have made it clear they do not want traditional housing. Instead, they are creating de facto settlements in the woods, in violation of environmental protections, public safety regulations, and community rights.
