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Canada’s Mossiest Rainforest aka Fangorn Forest

Feb 13 2012/in Take Action

Direct link to YouTube clip: https://youtu.be/FzOefJnAENI

Please SIGN our PETITION at ancientforestalliance.org/ways-to-take-action-for-forests/petition/

This is the unprotected “Mossy Maple Grove”, Canada’s mossiest rainforest, a stand of enormous old-growth Bigleaf maple trees — some as much as 2 meters (7 feet) wide in trunk diameter — completely draped in hanging gardens of mosses and ferns found just south of Cowichan Lake on southern Vancouver Island, BC. This is in the traditional territory of Cowichan Tribes who are part of the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group.

Unlike other spotlighted old-growth forests in BC that have all been “coniferous” or needle-leaf trees (Douglas firs, Sitka spruce, western redcedars, etc.), this is an old-growth “deciduous” or broad-leaf rainforest. This area has also been nicknamed “Fangorn Forest” after the forest in The Lord of the Rings.

Filmed and edited by TJ Watt.
Music – “Razorback Sucker” by Tom Fahy – https://www.facebook.com/tomfahymusic/

Vehicle Donation Needed

Feb 7 2012/in Announcements

Do you or a family member have a vehicle that you no longer need? One that you would be willing to donate to the Ancient Forest Alliance?

If so, the AFA is looking for a safe and reliable vehicle for our door canvass to build support in communities throughout Victoria and Vancouver Island. A vehicle is key to provide an efficient means of transport for a new door canvassing crew and for volunteers who will be PIVOTAL in quickly growing the donors base and the scale of grassroots outreach of our organization. The vehicle need not be particularly stylish, but it must be one that is in good working order, will pass an inspection, and be ready for the road. An automatic transmission is required as well.

To successfully protect BC’s incredible ancient forests we will need as many volunteers as we can get on the ground to the door steps of thousands of British Columbian households in 2012 and beyond. In particular, the next year and a half leading up to the provincial election is our most critical and opportune time to greatly expand the scope of our campaign through door canvassing and hard-hitting campaign work in swing ridings that will ultimately lead to the protection of our most magnificent natural legacies.

Please contact the Ancient Forest Alliance at 250.896.4007 if you have a free vehicle for the job!

We will recognize the donor with our gratitude on our website (unless you prefer to remain anonymous) and also a signed print of our spectacular ancient forests by AFA photographer TJ Watt.

UVic Slideshow Featuring BC’s Most Spectacular Old-Growth Rainforests!

Feb 7 2012/in Announcements

Date: Tuesday, February 7
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Clearihue Building Rm A202, UVic.
FREE!

Come for a spectacular slideshow presentation with the Ancient Forest Alliance’s Ken Wu and TJ Watt about BC’s largest trees and the newly-found “Fangorn Forest” (or “Canada’s Mossiest Rainforest”) near Lake Cowichan, Avatar Grove, Walbran Valley, McLaughlin Ridge, Cortes Island, and Flores Island. Learn about the current government policies, geography, and ecology of BC’s old-growth forests. Find out how YOU can help the UVic Ancient Forest Committee in this pivotal year of 2012!

For more info contact the UVic Ancient Forest Committee at: uvicancientforest@gmail.com

NOW HIRING: Forest Campaigner

Mar 3 2026

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) is hiring a passionate Forest Campaigner to join our team and help protect old-growth forests in BC!

Employment

It’s AFA’s 16th Birthday!

Feb 26 2026

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?

Announcements

Budget 2026 Shortchanges Nature Protection and Sustainable Forestry Transition At a Critical Time for British Columbia

Feb 20 2026

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.

Media Release