The Great Bear Forest Carbon Project
The Great Bear Forest Carbon Project is 100% Indigenous-owned and led, rooted in decades of land-use planning, governance, and stewardship across the North and Central Coast, Haida Gwaii, and South Central Coast. Through agreements like the Reconciliation Protocol and Atmospheric Benefit Agreements, the project formally recognizes First Nations’ ownership of carbon benefits and puts conservation financing directly into the hands of local communities.
At the heart of this stewardship are Guardian Watchmen — trained land and water stewards employed by their Nations to protect their territories. From ecological monitoring and cultural site protection to enforcement of forest and marine agreements, Guardians ensure that forest conservation is actively maintained on the ground.
This is climate action that goes beyond carbon — supporting Indigenous governance, local jobs, and long-term environmental protection.
Project Impacts
The project operates under an Improved Forest Management (IFM) approach, which involves:
Reducing industrial logging by prioritizing conservation over extraction.
Increasing carbon sequestration through enhanced forest protection measures.
Supporting sustainable forest management practices that align with First Nations stewardship values.
Providing long-term monitoring to ensure climate benefits are verified and sustained.
At Jamieson, we believe building an economy that thrives within nature’s limits is essential. Purchasing carbon offsets from The Great Bear Forest Carbon Project is one of the ways we ensure our emissions footprint is addressed, while also investing in preservation, climate justice, and community. It aligns with our commitment to policy leadership, nature investment, and sustainable innovation.
Impact on Biodiversity
Spirit Bear
Guardian of the Rainforest’s Spirit
Known as the moksgm’ol to the Gitga’at and Kitasoo/Xai’xais peoples, the Spirit Bear holds deep spiritual significance as a symbol of peace, harmony, and connection to the natural world. The Great Bear Forest Carbon Project helps protect the pristine old-growth forests that are essential to its survival, honouring both the bear and the Indigenous stewardship that has safeguarded its habitat for millennia.
Salmon
Life Source of Land and People
Salmon are the lifeblood of coastal ecosystems and Indigenous cultures throughout the Great Bear Rainforest. Central to traditional diets, ceremonies, and stories, salmon sustain both people and wildlife. By preserving forest watersheds and preventing erosion, the project ensures clean, cool rivers where salmon can spawn for generations to come.
Wolves
Stewards of Balance and Ancestry
Coastal wolves, or sea wolves, are revered by local Indigenous Nations for their intelligence, family bonds, and spiritual power. They play a vital role in the rainforest’s balance, hunting both on land and along the shoreline. By protecting the wolves’ vast coastal territories, The Great Bear Forest Carbon Project supports the continuation of ecosystems and cultural teachings intertwined with their existence.
Birds
Voices of the Forest and Sky
Birds have long guided Indigenous peoples of the Great Bear Rainforest, marking the change of seasons and connecting land and sea. Eagles, ravens, and songbirds carry cultural and spiritual meaning while contributing to the forest’s health through seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. Protecting these habitats through carbon finance preserves both biodiversity and the living stories they inspire.
Ancient Growth
Sacred Giants of Time and Life
The towering cedar, spruce, and hemlock of the Great Bear Rainforest are sacred to Indigenous Nations who have lived in relationship with these lands for thousands of years. These ancient trees provide materials for totem poles, canoes, and longhouses, and stand as living symbols of resilience. By keeping them intact, the project upholds Indigenous stewardship while protecting one of the most carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth.
6,667carbon offsets retired towards 2025 emissions
Haida Gwaii
British Columbia, Canada
Offsets retired
6,667
Logging history in the Great Bear Rainforest is marked by 20th-century resource extraction, primarily of old-growth forests, leading to severe economic, social, and environmental damage for First Nations and the ecosystem. This period led to a 19-year negotiation process, resulting in the 2016 Great Bear Rainforest Agreement.
Trees in the Project Area
Western Hemlock
Western Hemlock
HlGaagilda Skidegate Dialect: K’aang
Gaw Tlagée Old Massett Dialect: K’áang
Western Hemlock is a defining species of coastal rainforests, capable of reaching towering heights in the cool, wet climate of places like Haida Gwaii. Exceptionally shade-tolerant, it thrives beneath the forest canopy and plays a key role in layered, old-growth ecosystems.
For the Haida Nation, hemlock has long been a versatile resource. Its wood was shaped into tools and household items, while its sap was valued for practical and medicinal uses. Hemlock forests are also closely linked with edible fungi, making them important gathering areas for seasonal foraging.
Sitka Spruce
Sitka Spruce
HlGaagilda Skidegate Dialect: Kayd
Gaw Tlagée Old Massett Dialect: Kíid
Sitka Spruce is one of the giants of the Pacific coast, growing tall and strong along exposed shorelines. Its ability to withstand wind, salt spray, and harsh weather makes it well-suited to rugged coastal environments, including those of Haida Gwaii.
Among the Haida Nation, Sitka Spruce has long been valued for both everyday and specialized uses—from tools and fuel to finely crafted items. Its roots, in particular, are integral to traditional weaving practices that continue today.
Western Redcedar
Western Redcedar
HlGaagilda Skidegate Dialect: Ts’uu
Gaw Tlagée Old Massett Dialect: Ts’úu
Western Redcedar is one of the most culturally and ecologically significant trees on the northwest coast. Known for its longevity and resistance to decay, it can live for many centuries while continuing to shape the forest around it.
For the Haida Nation, this tree is often called the “tree of life.” It has been used for generations to build homes, canoes, ceremonial poles, and everyday items. Its bark can be woven into textiles, reflecting a deep connection between people and forest.
Mountain Hemlock
Mountain Hemlock
Mountain Hemlock plays an important role in high-elevation ecosystems, particularly in regulating water systems. By capturing and slowly releasing snowmelt, it helps maintain steady water flow through surrounding watersheds.
While used less extensively than other coastal species, Indigenous communities across the Pacific Northwest have made practical use of mountain hemlock, including using its branches for bedding and cleansing tools.
Western Hemlock
HlGaagilda Skidegate Dialect: K’aang
Gaw Tlagée Old Massett Dialect: K’áang
Western Hemlock is a defining species of coastal rainforests, capable of reaching towering heights in the cool, wet climate of places like Haida Gwaii. Exceptionally shade-tolerant, it thrives beneath the forest canopy and plays a key role in layered, old-growth ecosystems.
For the Haida Nation, hemlock has long been a versatile resource. Its wood was shaped into tools and household items, while its sap was valued for practical and medicinal uses. Hemlock forests are also closely linked with edible fungi, making them important gathering areas for seasonal foraging.
A Long-Term Vision for Impact
Jamieson is committed to supporting nature-based climate solutions that are transparent, measurable, and community-led. The climate crisis calls for both immediate action and long-term vision. By supporting forest conservation and reforestation, Jamieson is helping protect what we still have — and restore what we’ve lost.