Ancient Forest Alliance: Best of 2025!
As we wrap up Ancient Forest Alliance’s 15th year working to protect endangered old-growth forests in BC, we want to take a moment to say thank you. Your support — this year and over the past decade and a half — has helped bring irreplaceable forests into the public spotlight, secure historic conservation funding for new protected areas, and safeguard iconic places like the famed Avatar Grove.
2025 was a challenging year for environmental progress, both in BC and around the world. Together with our community, however, we’ve continued to hold elected decision-makers accountable and increase pressure to protect what remains. Below, we’re sharing some highlights from the year — the top stories, photos, and moments that shaped our work.
Top News Stories of 2025
Ancient Forest Alliance photos, videos, and media releases continue to garner major news coverage, helping to raise widespread public awareness of the need to protect endangered old-growth forests. Here are a few of the year’s top new stories on AFA and old growth!
- The Narwhal: New marching orders are in for BC’s cabinet. They sideline the environment, observers warn
- Vancouver Sun: Languishing ‘in the doldrums’: Conservation groups demand action on B.C.’s old-growth logging review
- Victoria Buzz: Images expose ongoing old-growth logging as BC government misses key deadline
- My Cowichan Valley Now: Conservationists call for BC forestry industry to be modernized
- Toronto Star: The best place to go forest bathing? The ancient groves of Vancouver Island offer a meditative journey back in time
- Outside Magazine: See a ‘Living Skyscraper’ in the Tall Tree Capital of Port Renfrew
See our news archives for the full list of stories.
Top 5 Photos of 2025
Conservation photography plays a vital role in bringing remote locations to life. Whether it’s a photo of an adorable bear cub, beautiful sunbeams, or the scars of a clearcut, each year, AFA photographer TJ Watt captures thousands of photos to help tell the story of endangered ancient forests in BC.
His work has earned numerous awards and brought the threats facing old-growth forests in BC into the international spotlight through news stories and presentations on stage at TEDx and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Here are five of his stand-out shots from 2025!
Top Social Post
On National Tree Day, we honoured these majestic and ancient beings by highlighting some of the biggest trees in BC, from the Cheewhat Giant to the famed Big Lonely Doug, and more. The post was liked nearly 10,000 times across Instagram and Facebook! Check it out below 💚
The Cheewhat Giant – Canada’s largest tree and the world’s largest western redcedar.
5 Most Shocking Photos From the Past 5 Years
On the fifth anniversary of the Old Growth Strategic Review, Ancient Forest Alliance and the Endangered Ecosystem Alliance highlighted five of the most shocking images of old-growth logging in British Columbia since the BC NDP pledged a “new future for old forests”. Our media release and photos received significant press coverage, underscoring the urgent need for the BC government to accelerate old-growth protection measures before it’s too late.
Raising Awareness Through Education
Educating people about the value of old-growth forests is a core part of AFA’s work. We’ve long believed that an informed citizenry is the most powerful force for change. From “Old-Growth 101” explainers to in-depth policy content, here are some of our key educational pieces from 2025.
This year, we launched Old-Growth 101, a comprehensive yet accessible online resource to help answer your most common questions about old-growth forests in BC.
In this Instagram carousel, we break down the first section: “What is an old-growth forest, anyway?”
What are Ecosystem-Based Protection Targets, and why does BC need them?
To truly safeguard biodiversity, BC needs protection targets for every ecosystem type — rainforests, grasslands, dry forests, wetlands, etc. — on a scale large enough to ensure their long-term health and stability. See and share our slides on Instagram as well.
Top Expedition: Haida Gwaii
In October, AFA photographer TJ Watt visited Haida Gwaii as part of his work as a National Geographic Explorer and Trebek Initiative grantee. While there, he explored several incredible ancient forests, visited Haida cultural sites, and gave a presentation on his conservation photography to the Trebek Council. See two galleries featuring his fantastic images below. More still to come!
2025 Milestone: AFA’s 15th Anniversary
This year, we celebrated our 15th anniversary! What started as a tiny team with a big vision has since grown into an organizational force for change, with tens of thousands of supporters like you helping drive forward our collective efforts to protect old-growth forests in British Columbia. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve next together! Thank you as well to everyone who attended our special in-person celebration.
Ten-Year Look Back: AFA 2015 Documentary
Take a look back at the AFA documentary, which covers the organization’s inception with Ken Wu and TJ Watt and our work over the first five years! 🎥
The work above takes all of us. For 15 years, our team has been on the ground, in the forest, and in front of decision-makers — documenting beauty, exposing destruction, and building alliances to help protect old-growth forests. Your support makes this work possible and extends its reach far beyond what we could do alone.
When you share our photos, sign petitions, contact elected officials, and donate, you help keep old-growth forests in the spotlight and on the political agenda where they belong.
2026 will bring new challenges and new opportunities to secure lasting protection for ancient forests in BC. It won’t be easy, but with you standing alongside us, we’re ready for what comes next.
Thank you for being part of the effort to protect one of the most beautiful and irreplaceable ecosystems on Earth.
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