Death, disease, decay and damage are the rule, not the exception, in natural forests. These critical processes allow for renewal, rejuvenation, habitat creation, and nutrient cycling. The summer of 2024, with the help of the Sitka Foundation, we brought Briony Penn – naturalist, geographer, educator, writer and artist – into forests with a recent history of natural disturbance for the purpose of illustrating them in her distinctive style.

Natural disturbances are essential processes in all primary, or natural, forests (forests that have never been logged). However, primary forests containing trees that have died as a result of insect infestation (e.g. defoliating moths, bark beetles) or fire are often logged shortly after such disturbances in order to ‘salvage’ their economic value. This practice is harmful to soils, regenerating plants, and wildlife, and it’s happening more and more throughout the province as the supply of raw material for dimensional lumber, pulp, and pellets dwindles.

In addition, climate change is increasing the frequency, severity, and extent of natural disturbances, so it’s more important than ever to help natural forests maintain their resilience by protecting them from logging.

We were thrilled to host Briony Penn here in central BC as she gathered inspiration from our beautiful, naturally disturbed forests for an illustration series on life after insect disturbances and fire.

Check out Briony’s gorgeous illustrations on the Life After Disturbance project page.