"This ambitious and collaborative initiative will achieve just that, and we are committed to work closely with First Nations and non-government organizations to bring it to life."

The fund is intended to protect 6.4 million hectares of land that stretch 750 kilometers (466 miles) along British Columbia's coast and feature 300-feet-tall (90-meter) trees that are 1,500 years old.

The region known as the Spirit Bear Rainforest, or Great Bear Rainforest, is also home to about 20 percent of the world's salmon and three kinds of bears.

Other conservationalists call it "Canada's Amazon," for its ecological diversity.

Some of the world's most influential foundations as well as local donors, have contributed 60 million Canadian dollars (51 million US). If all goes as promised, federal, private and provincial donations will reach 120 million Canadian dollars (102 million US).

Officials called the plan a model for sustainable development and nature conservation worldwide. It should also boost impoverished communities with environmentally sustainable businesses such as fisheries and eco-tourism on Canada's West Coast.

"It will transform the way people address conflicts in the environment and the economy around the globe," predicted Ross McMillan of the Tides Canada Foundation, which, along with the US Nature Conservancy, raised much of the private donations.

The unusual plan offers "hope that we can create economic opportunities within the limits of nature," said Merran Smith of the environmental group ForestEthics, flanked by officials with Greenpeace and the Sierra club of Canada.

Smith and aboriginal leaders began work on the plan a decade ago, after native groups objected to plans to conserve the rainforest without economic development. "We learned that we couldn't separate conservation from the people who lived there," Smith said. "A lasting solution had to be about both people and wild places."

The plan was first announced in February 2005 and was taken up by the minority Conservative federal government, which this week announced two other initiatives to position itself as friendly to the environment, Canadians' top political concern.

Baird said the money could be in place within 12 weeks if if Parliament approves and ongoing talks with native communities are completed.

Native community leaders throughout the province, politicians from all levels of government and environmental and philanthropic organizations applauded Baird's announced support with dancing, singing and drumming by aboriginal performers.

While unemployment in rainforest communities can reach 70 percent, native leader Dallas Smith said that could change through education.

"Our youth are coming home with master's degrees now. Now we have the financial resources to put those master's degrees and PhDs to work into building sustainable communities."

Related Links
Save the Forests at Wood Pile