Great Bear Update: Majority of British Columbia's municipalities vote against Enbridge proposal

© Daniel Beltra, iLCP

This summer, the iLCP, a group of internationally renowned photographers are taking part in a RAVE (Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition) in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest. Home to white spirit bears, ancient forests, and stunning marine biodiversity, it is one of the planet's most priceless treasures, but overseas oil interests wanting access to western Canada's tar sands, the second largest known oil reserves in the world, have put the region in threat, prompting the action of conservation groups and the iLCP. Throughout the expedition we'll be bringing you profiles, stories, statistics and photos to learn more about the region and why it's so crucial that we all work to protect it. Please follow along here on the iLCP blog, on Facebook and Twitter.

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Momentum grows for environmental protection of British Columbia's marine and terrestrial biodiversity.

Representatives at Convention of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) passed three resolutions against offshore oil and gas exploration, oil tankers on the BC north coast and the proposed Enbridge oil pipeline on October 1, 2010.

"This is a significant blow to Enbridge's proposal to transport Alberta's tar sands oil to the west coast of Canada," said Ian McAllister of Pacific Wild. "The UBCM represents the voice of cities across British Columbia and these resolutions send a strong message to the BC government."

These municipalities join forces with BC's First Nations community and conservation groups.

Congratulations to all the groups and activists who worked so effectively to help inform the UBCM. The iLCP is proud to have been able to play a small role in this important fight.

Click here to view images from the Great Bear Rainforest. Click here to view a short video of the Great Bear Rainforest.