Media Release: Conservationists Relieved as Forest Company Backs Away from Logging Canada’s Finest Old-Growth Cedar Grove, Vancouver Island’s "Castle Grove" in the Upper Walbran Valley

Conservationists are breathing a sigh of relief as Canada’s finest stand of old-growth redcedar trees appears to have been spared the axe – for now. The Castle Grove in the Upper Walbran Valley on southern Vancouver Island (west of Lake Cowichan) had been flagged for logging in August by the Teal-Jones Group and subsequently was the focus of an intense environmental campaign by the Ancient Forest Alliance.

Media Release
Flagging tape marked "Falling Boundary" was discovered over summer in the Upper Castle Grove.

Province has no plans to cut old-growth stand in Walbran, near Port Alberni

Environmental groups were preparing for another round of the war-in-the-woods after logging tape was found this summer near Castle Grove and the "Castle Giant." The western red cedar has a five-metre diameter and is listed in the B.C. big tree registry as one of the widest in Canada.

News Coverage
Echo Lake and the surrounding ancient forests.

Echo Lake Ancient Forest – Follow-Up Letters Needed! Please WRITE!

These unprotected forests are within a Woodlot License, a smaller logging tenure on Crown lands, which the BC government states is not subject to the creation of new Old-Growth Management Areas. However, it is within the government's power to shift the Woodlot License boundaries to another second-growth forest area among the thousands of hectares of Crown lands in the region.

Take Action
Some youngsters joined the protest against Island Timberlands logging operations on Cortes Island this week.

Human shield stalls Cortes logging for third day

A Cortes Island blockade of Island Timberlands went into its third day Thursday as swelling ranks of environmentalists, residents and their children maintained a human shield against the logging company’s crews and equipment.

News Coverage
Ancient Forest Alliance

Global TV video: Logging protests on Cortes Island

Follow to the link to watch the news video coverage.

News Coverage

Victoria Outreach Intern Position – Apply Now!

The AFA is looking for a volunteer intern for 2 months to work at least 15-30 hours a week to staff our holiday season booth to assist in the sale of calendars, cards, and posters sales in December, and to assist in outreach to our supporters to help protect BC's old-growth forests. Interns will also gain insights about important forest policies and environmental campaigning skills. This position starts ASAP.  To apply, please contact Joan Varley:  joan@15.222.255.145

Announcements

Cortes Island citizens prepare for logging protests

Lanky, clean cut Cec Robinson is pretty sure the RCMP has been following him on Cortes Island. What danger does this quiet oyster farmer and family man pose? He intends to defend his island from industrial logging by Island Timberlands because he thinks it is the right thing to do for his community and for the planet

News Coverage
Giant old-growth Douglas-fir trees in the Wilson Creek forest.

Elphinstone Logging Focus – Wilson Creek forest under threat

Citizens on the Sunshine Coast in Roberts Creek are fighting against
imminent logging in the Wilson Creek Forest - please visit the website
of Elphinstone Logging Focus for more details at:  https://www.loggingfocus.org/

Announcements
Cortes Island resident and activist

Wildstands – A Cortes Community Alliance

As Island Timberlands' incursions on to Cortes Island heats up the battle to protect its old-growth forests heat up, please follow their campaign by going to their website:
https://wildstands.wordpress.com/
 

Announcements

Will logging of ancient forest be halted before it can begin?

Residents of Cortes Island have formed a blockade to stop the BC based timber company, Island Timberlands (I.T.), from beginning logging operations in one of BC’s last stands of old growth coastal Douglas-fir forest. For over four years, community members have attempted to work with the company to develop an ecosystem-based approach to forestry. As road-building equipment moves in, the community is now left with no choice but to stand in it’s path to defend these ecologically significant forests.

News Coverage