The world’s only inland temperate rainforest

The ITR is one of the world’s only inland temperate rainforests, covering parts of southeastern British Columbia. It stretches roughly from Prince George down to the Columbia Mountains around Revelstoke. The ITR does extend into the United States, specifically into northern Idaho, northeastern Washington, and parts of western Montana. While the bulk of this rare ecosystem is in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, the ITR’s unique climate and biodiversity also reach across the border.

The Inland Temperate Rainforest around Revelstoke is an inland anomaly—a wet, lush ecosystem powered by Pacific air. As that moisture-laden air makes its way east, it crosses mountain ranges until it finally hits the Columbia and Rockies, where it drops a ton of rain and snow. Revelstoke alone sees up to 2,500 mm (98 inches) of precipitation each year. Summers are mild and rainy, winters are cold and snow-heavy. This mix creates the perfect environment for giant old-growth trees, thick moss, and lush undergrowth that most people expect to find on the coast, not way out here.

The ITR’s stable temperatures and constant humidity make it possible for some coastal species to thrive right here in the mountains. Western red cedar, hemlock, and rare mosses grow to insane heights and ages, creating a forest that feels like stepping into another world. But this balance is sensitive. Minor shifts in climate could disrupt the conditions that make this forest so rare, putting old-growth stands and biodiversity at risk.

Its ancient trees, like western red cedars and hemlocks, capture and lock away carbon for centuries, while the thick forest floor acts as a natural carbon sponge. This makes the ITR a major ally in climate stability, as disturbing these old-growth stands would release stored carbon almost instantly, undoing centuries of carbon storage.

Conservation efforts focus on balancing sustainable forestry with ecosystem preservation. Local advocates and organizations like the Valhalla Wilderness Society are pushing for sustainable logging methods, such as commercial thinning, in place of clear-cutting, to protect key areas while respecting the industry’s role. In Revelstoke, conservation initiatives also encourage responsible tourism, helping protect one of the world’s most effective natural carbon solutions.

Revelstoke’s Inland Temperate Rainforest is full of easy-to-spot species. Towering trees like western red cedar, with its shaggy bark and fragrant wood, western hemlock, with its drooping top and feathery needles, and Douglas fir, recognizable by its furrowed bark and sharp needles, dominate the forest.

On the forest floor, sword ferns and licorice ferns thrive in the shady, damp conditions. Sword ferns have long, pointed fronds, while licorice ferns cling to tree trunks and rocks, with a faint licorice scent when pulled up. Fungi like artist’s conk, which grows on dead tree trunks, and turkey tail, found on decaying wood, are common. The lobster mushroom, with its red-orange hue, appears on the forest floor in late summer.

Plants like devil’s club, with its thorny stems, and skunk cabbage, with its large, waxy leaves and strong odor, are easy to identify. Tree moss, bright green and fluffy, often covers branches and trunks, giving the forest its iconic look. These species define the rainforest’s lush, diverse ecosystem.