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Photos: Spruce Bay Old Growth Trail – Port Alice

Dec 20 2021/in Photo Gallery

Located roughly 23 km from Port Alice along the shores of Victoria Lake and in the territory of the Quatsino First Nation, is Spruce Bay and the little-known Spruce Bay Old Growth Trail and Recreation Site.

Photo gallery: Spruce Bay Old Growth Trail

This easy 3.1 km loop passes through glade after glade of monumental old-growth Sitka spruce trees and winds through a second-growth stand that was logged in the 1960s. Massive spruce stumps dot the forest, a haunting memorial to a forest whose trees likely exceeded the largest Stika spruce trees growing today.

While Port Alice is promoting itself as the “sea otter capital of Canada”, this magnificent old-growth forest could be another major tourist draw, helping the community transition into an ecotourism destination.

Spruce Bay Old Growth Trail near Port Alice.

Photos: Vernon Bay

Dec 6 2021/in Photo Gallery

This past summer, AFA had the privilege of exploring stunning ancient forests along the shores of Vernon Bay in Barkley Sound. Home to the Uchucklesaht and Tseshaht First Nations, TJ Watt and Ian Illuminato measured monumental redcedar trees up to 12 feet in diameter.

Photo gallery: Vernon Bay

Despite the area’s significance, the BC government has granted approval for the logging company, Interfor, to cut a total of 55 hectares of rare, intact ancient forests. However, due to the recent 2.6 million hectares of potential old-growth deferrals announced by the province, some stands have been identified for immediate deferrals.

These forests are now at imminent risk of being logged unless the local First Nations and the province immediately enact these deferrals. Speak up now! Demand the BC government commit conservation funding to support Indigenous-led protection of at-risk old-growth by sending a message.

See our media release for further details.

Overlooking the unprotected ancient forests of Vernon Bay in Barkley Sound in Uchucklesaht and Tseshaht nation territories. 33 logging cutblocks have been approved in this region, some overlapping with the newly recommended deferral areas.

Planning to give AFA gifts this holiday season? Order soon!

Dec 3 2021/in Announcements

Friendly reminder, if you’re planning on ordering AFA gifts this holiday season, please place your order by the following deadlines to increase your likelihood of receiving your gifts before Christmas Day (*for orders in Canada only):

For our brand NEW custom digital certificates:
Place your orders until Dec. 20th.

For printed & mailed certificates:
Place your orders by Dec. 13th

For Prints:
Place your orders by Dec. 8th.

For all other AFA gear:
Place your orders by Dec. 13th

*Please note: Despite our best efforts, we can’t guarantee your orders will arrive before Christmas day.

To purchase AFA gifts:
Visit our online store
Call us at 250 896 4007
Book an appointment to visit our office
Give us a call at 250 896 4007 or email info@ancientforestalliance.org

Proceeds help assist our work to protect endangered old-growth forests and to ensure a sustainable, second-growth forest industry in BC.

Thank you for considering the AFA as your priority organization to support this holiday season!

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