Podchat 34 | Policy Failures, Propaganda and Ongoing Old Growth Logging with Dr. Rachel Holt

About this episode

Dr. Rachel Holt discusses the challenges and failures in protecting old growth forests in BC.

Dr. Rachel Holt is a renown forest ecologist who has been working for the past 30 years on protecting old growth forests in BC. After witnessing the first Old Growth Strategic Review in the 90s fall short on its promises, and then watching the recent one she contributed to follow a similar path, Rachel shares her frustrations and learnings from these experiences, along with thoughts on what more is needed to create change for a better future. In this episode, we'll learn about what makes the old growth forests of BC so unique, their current state, how much is left and what is still threatened under the guidance of our current government. We'll also learn of ongoing industry-funded propaganda, and how it contributes to policy failures that allow these incredibly rare and important forests to still be logged today. Learn more about Rachel and give her a follow . Last Stand for Biodiversity Report Old Growth Strategic Review Each episode of Nerdy About Nature makes a donation to a non-profit of the guests choosing using funds from Patreon supporters, and in this episode Rachel chose to support Neighbours United. Nerdy About Nature is an independent passion project that relies on…

People in this episode

Host: Nerdy About Nature

Guest: Dr. Rachel Holt

Topics covered

• old growth forests
• forest ecology
• policy failures
• environmental activism
• propaganda
• biodiversity

Keywords

• old growth forests
• forest ecology
• policy failures
• environmental activism
• biodiversity
• propaganda
• logging

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Nerdy About Nature

Places: BC

More episodes of Nerdy About Nature

• Podchat 33 | Progressive rebellion for connection, place and belonging with Rande Cook · December 9, 2025 · 1h 22m
• Undercurrents 11.11.25 | Potential life on mars, and the evolution of life on earth · November 11, 2025 · 56 min
• Podchat 32 | Marine Stewardship, Education & Building Connection with Laura Griffith-Cochrane · September 14, 2025 · 1h 33m
• Podchat 31 | Better Fiber Sourcing to Protect our Forests with Val Langer · April 29, 2025 · 1h 31m
• Podchat 30 | The Majesty of Killer Whales with Fred, The Orca Man · April 3, 2025 · 1h 14m
• Podchat 29 | Melding Indigenous Knowledge & Western Science with Leigh Joseph · March 5, 2025 · 1h 23m