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A map of the riders 260km round trip Big Trees Pedal Powered Tour.

Trees and Bikes: The Big Tree Tour

Jun 19 2010/in News Coverage

The Big Tree Tour is a fundraising ride started by four friends who happen to be very passionate about the work the Ancient Forest Alliance is doing. “We also like riding bikes,” said Big Tree Tour organizer and rider Leroy Nixon. The purpose of the tour is to raise awareness about the preservation of our ancient forests through ecotourism and human-powered travel.

The four riders will embark on a 260 kilometer tour of southern Vancouver Island that took place from June 3-6. It started in Victoria, went up to the Cowichan River Valley, across the Vancouver Island Range, then continued through to the Wild West Coast forest in Port Renfrew – where there was a day-long break – then back to Victoria. The tour included some of the most beautiful scenery this province has to offer, with visits to the world’s oldest, largest and most endangered trees.

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) is a new organization that is motivated to protect British Columbia’s old growth forests. Ken Wu, co-founder of the AFA, said, “This is a very original awareness and fundraising tour to the biggest trees in Canada. BC’s magnificent but highly endangered old-growth rainforests are natural world wonders, they need all the help they can get. As a new organization the Ancient Forest Alliance is extremely grateful to these pedal-powered advocates for their support.”

If you wish to donate to the cause, there are donation jars in Vancouver at Dream Cycle, and Bikes on the Drive or at Fairfield Cycles in Victoria. You can also sponsor a rider online at bigtreetour.tumblr.com

NEW, CONVENIENT PHONE-IN credit card DONATIONS

Jun 17 2010/in Announcements

As a new grassroots organization and with our June 21 deadline to raise $20,000 fast approaching, we are in GREAT need of funding. Per dollar, your support will go farther with us than with virtually any other major environmental organization in the country, allowing us to build a most effective movement for our ancient forests and forestry jobs!

Now there is a new, quick, and convenient way to donate to the Ancient Forest Alliance over the phone! With just one phone call, you can support ancient forest protection in a matter of minutes!

Visa and Master Card are both accepted.

To donate by phone, please contact us at: 250 896 4007 from Monday to Friday.

***PLEASE CALL!

Whatever amount you can afford, we can assure you that YOUR support with the Ancient Forest Alliance will go farther with us. We are the BUSIEST environmental group with the LEAST funding right now! YOU can help us make this a sustainable organization by supporting us…

See our full funding appeal at: https://ancientforestalliance.org/support.php

Currently we need funds to:
– Print 100,000 copies of a new educational newsletter that will go into “swing ridings” in BC that will exert disproportionate pressure on the BC Liberal government to change their backwards forest policies. This will cost $5000 for the printing alone.
– Undertake expeditions into endangered ancient forests on Vancouver Island and elsewhere to document their beauty and their destruction with professional photography and video.
– Organize Days of Action in front of BC Liberal MLA offices – right now the BC Liberal government contends that Vancouver Island’s endangered old-growth forests don’t require any protection and that raw log exports to foreign mills should continue.
– Establish new Ancient Forest Committees (activism teams) in swing ridings in BC that exert a disproportionate amount of pressure on the BC Liberal government.
– Build vital support among businesses, faith groups, unions, and First Nations.

You can also donate ONLINE with your credit card at: https://donate.ancientforestalliance.org/

Or you can MAIL in your cheque (made out to “Ancient Forest Alliance”) to:

Ancient Forest Alliance
706 Yates Street
PO Box 8459
Victoria, BC V8W 3S1

Pedal Powered Tour riders Adam Hoogaveen

Big Trees Pedal Powered Tour Completed!

Jun 17 2010/in Announcements

On Sunday, June 6, the numerous cyclists participating in the Big Trees Pedal Powered Tour successfully completed the final leg of their 4 day, 260 kilometre self-propelled journey to see some of the stunning old growth forests of southern Vancouver Island. The trip was organised as a fundraiser and to raise awareness of the pressing need for protection of BC’s endangered forests. As part of their trip, the riders visited many of the biggest trees in Canada, including those found in the spectacular Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew. In recent months, freshly logged stumps measuring 45 feet in circumference have been found in the Gordon River Valley, just over a kilometre from Avatar Grove.

Everyone at the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) wishes to say a huge thank you to all the riders, to Tom Fortington for organising this awe-inspiring event, and to all those who PLEDGED to their support. In total, the pledged donations amount to over $4000, with all proceeds going to the AFA!

2025 Activity Report & Financials

Apr 30 2026

2025 was a milestone year for the Ancient Forest Alliance and the old-growth campaign. Despite the BC government's backsliding on many of its old-growth commitments, there was still much work to be proud of, including celebrating our 15th year working to protect ancient forests. Check out our 2025 Activity Report & Financials to see the impact YOU made on 2025, plus, find out what we have in store for 2026!

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