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1365
2048
TJ Watt
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TJ Watt2026-03-03 09:07:112026-03-04 14:36:34NOW HIRING: Forest CampaignerRelated Posts
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1365
2048
TJ Watt
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TJ Watt2026-03-03 09:07:112026-03-04 14:36:34NOW HIRING: Forest Campaigner
It’s AFA’s 16th Birthday!
On Tuesday, February 24th, we’re celebrating 16 years of working together with you, our community, to ensure the permanent protection of old-growth forests in BC. To mark the date, will you chip in $16 or more to support our work?

Budget 2026 Shortchanges Nature Protection and Sustainable Forestry Transition At a Critical Time for British Columbia
BC’s Budget 2026 fails to provide the funding needed to secure lasting protection for endangered ecosystems and at-risk old-growth forests in the province.

Welcome, Zeinab, our new Vancouver Canvass Director!
We're excited to welcome Zeinab Salenhiankia, our new Vancouver Canvass Director, to the Ancient Forest Alliance team!
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AFA’s office is located on the territories of the Lekwungen Peoples, also known as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
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Need a “forest fix”? Watch our top 5 ancient forest films!
/in Announcements, VideoFor more great videos, visit our YouTube Channel.
Even in this challenging time, BC’s ancient forests remain vulnerable and still need a voice. Please help us raise awareness by sharing these videos far and wide.
Looking for something to pass the time while self-isolating? Check out some of our favourite ancient forest videos! ??
1. Giant Tree Hunters
Get a glimpse into the life of AFA’s big tree hunters and their efforts to find and protect Canada’s largest trees and grandest ancient groves. The film features AFA’s TJ Watt and former Executive Director Ken Wu, forest ecologists Dr. Andy MacKinnon and Dr. Sally Aitken of the BC Big Tree Registry, and tree climbers Matthew Beatty and Damien Carre of Expedition Old Growth.
Produced by: Nootka St Film Co.
Length: 19 mins
2. No Degree of Scarcity
This short and compelling documentary follows TJ Watt and Ken Wu through the Walbran Valley and the clearcut surrounding Big Lonely Doug (Canada’s 2nd largest Douglas-fir) in Pacheedaht territory. It showcases some of AFA’s behind-the-scenes work to protect old-growth forests and how leaving ancient forests standing has benefitted Port Renfrew’s economy.
Produced by: US filmmaker Joe Callander
Length: 8:49 mins
3. AFA Documentary
Take a look back at AFA’s history in this film, featuring spectacular shots of BC’s old-growth forests and interviews with AFA co-founders Ken Wu and TJ Watt, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim Scott Fraser, veteran old-growth campaigner Valerie Langer, Robert Morales of the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, and more.
Produced by: Darryl Augustine, Roadside Films
Length: 16 mins
4. Tahsis: McKelvie Watershed At-Risk
In our first-ever “community spotlight video,” we explore Tahsis and the spectacular McKelvie Valley, a rare intact, unprotected watershed; hear locals’ concerns about Western Forest Products’ plans to clearcut the valley; and learn about “Salmon Parks,” an innovative conservation solution for the Nootka Sound region, championed by three Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.
Produced by: AFA’s TJ Watt & Daniel J. Pierce of Ramshackle Films
Length: 3:27 mins
5. Climbing Big Lonely Doug
Watch this incredible footage of the first time AFA members climbed Big Lonely Doug, Canada’s 2nd largest Douglas-fir tree located near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory, along with professional tree climbers from the Aboreal Collective and Ascending the Giants. Since this video was posted on YouTube in 2014, it has accumulated over 1.4 MILLION views – a true testament to the admiration that people from all around the world have for this lonely giant and the impressive skill required to climb it.
Length: 4:50 mins
Want to see more of Big Lonely Doug? Check out this video of the second climb undertaken by AFA and Aboreal Collective in 2016, captured using AFA’s drone.
For more great videos, visit our YouTube Channel.
Even in this challenging time, BC’s ancient forests remain vulnerable and still need a voice. Please help us raise awareness by sharing these videos far and wide.
Looking for something to pass the time while self-isolating? Check out some of our favourite ancient forest videos! ??
1. Giant Tree Hunters
Get a glimpse into the life of AFA’s big tree hunters and their efforts to find and protect Canada’s largest trees and grandest ancient groves. The film features AFA’s TJ Watt and former Executive Director Ken Wu, forest ecologists Dr. Andy MacKinnon and Dr. Sally Aitken of the BC Big Tree Registry, and tree climbers Matthew Beatty and Damien Carre of Expedition Old Growth.
Produced by: Nootka St Film Co.
Length: 19 mins
2. No Degree of Scarcity
This short and compelling documentary follows TJ Watt and Ken Wu through the Walbran Valley and the clearcut surrounding Big Lonely Doug (Canada’s 2nd largest Douglas-fir) in Pacheedaht territory. It showcases some of AFA’s behind-the-scenes work to protect old-growth forests and how leaving ancient forests standing has benefitted Port Renfrew’s economy.
Produced by: US filmmaker Joe Callander
Length: 8:49 mins
3. AFA Documentary
Take a look back at AFA’s history in this film, featuring spectacular shots of BC’s old-growth forests and interviews with AFA co-founders Ken Wu and TJ Watt, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim Scott Fraser, veteran old-growth campaigner Valerie Langer, Robert Morales of the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, and more.
Produced by: Darryl Augustine, Roadside Films
Length: 16 mins
4. Tahsis: McKelvie Watershed At-Risk
In our first-ever “community spotlight video,” we explore Tahsis and the spectacular McKelvie Valley, a rare intact, unprotected watershed; hear locals’ concerns about Western Forest Products’ plans to clearcut the valley; and learn about “Salmon Parks,” an innovative conservation solution for the Nootka Sound region, championed by three Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.
Produced by: AFA’s TJ Watt & Daniel J. Pierce of Ramshackle Films
Length: 3:27 mins
5. Climbing Big Lonely Doug
Watch this incredible footage of the first time AFA members climbed Big Lonely Doug, Canada’s 2nd largest Douglas-fir tree located near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory, along with professional tree climbers from the Aboreal Collective and Ascending the Giants. Since this video was posted on YouTube in 2014, it has accumulated over 1.4 MILLION views – a true testament to the admiration that people from all around the world have for this lonely giant and the impressive skill required to climb it.
Length: 4:50 mins
Want to see more of Big Lonely Doug? Check out this video of the second climb undertaken by AFA and Aboreal Collective in 2016, captured using AFA’s drone.
For more great videos, visit our YouTube Channel.
Even in this challenging time, BC’s ancient forests remain vulnerable and still need a voice. Please help us raise awareness by sharing these videos far and wide.
Explore Magazine: Speak for the Trees
/in News CoverageSee this article in Explore Magazine which features an interview with AFA’s TJ Watt and covers the history of the Avatar Grove campaign, the economic value of standing old-growth forests, and debunks the BC government’s claim that these forests are not endangered. Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce President, Dan Hager, and Spirit of the West co-owner, Rick Snowdon, share their personal experiences as tourism operators as well.
Read here on page 46.
AFA 10-year anniversary celebration postponed
/in AnnouncementsAncient forest friends: To ensure the health and safety of our staff and supporters, we’ve decided to postpone our 10-year anniversary celebration on April 3rd in light of COVID-19.
We will reschedule the event once the situation changes and we are confident that there’s no health risk. Anyone who has already purchased a ticket will receive a full refund.
Thank you for your understanding and support.