Entries by TJ Watt

Inaugural Tall Trees Music Festival grows deep roots

The streets of Toronto were lit up by burning police cars on the weekend of June 26. But back on the Island, music fans were lighting other things as they danced to the music of Jon and Roy, Current Swell, the Racoons, DJ Tedder, Listening Party and other local acts at the first ever Tall Trees Music Festival.

MP Martin Continues Push To Expand Park

A federal Liberal member of Parliament is continuing his drive to expand the boundaries of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Dr. Keith Martin, MP for Esquimalt – Juan de Fuca, toured a section of old-growth forest and some clear cuts near Port Renfrew last week with members of the Ancient Forest Alliance.

Organize a fundraiser for the Ancient Forest Alliance

July has arrived and we are just weeks away from our $30,000 July 31 fundraising deadline. The recent slew of highly successful community-organised benefit events has gone a long way toward our target, and it would be wonderful to maintain this level of momentum.

Tall Tree Festival in Port Renfrew

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone at Radio Contact Productions, Bigfish Lodge, Wild Coast Cottages, and Sitka Surfboards for organising such a successful event and so generously supporting the AFA. Thanks, as well, to all the volunteers, the event sponsors, the amazing musicians, and everyone who attended in support of the AFA!

Tall Tree Fest highlights Island talent

IN CONCERT

What: Tall Tree Music Festival

When: Friday and Saturday (camping is available)

Where: Wild Coast Cottages, 6574 Baird Rd., Port Renfrew

Tickets: $70 (weekend pass) at Sitka Surf Shop, McPherson box office, and www.rmts.com

Information: talltreefestival.com

Forestry agency has no guidance on conflict over Douglas fir stand

The provincial forestry watchdog agency agrees the province should allow a mature coastal Douglas fir forest in Nanoose to be logged, but stops short of saying how it can be done.

The Forest Practices Board investigated a complaint against the B.C. Forests Ministry for issuing a woodlot licence for District Lot 33, a 64-hectare property containing rare coastal Douglas fir forest in Nanoose Bay.

Ancient forests and new advocates

Canada is among the last of the developed nations that logs its old-growth forests. In the US, the vast majority of logging takes place in second-growth stands, while Europeans log second- and third-growth forests. Southwestern Australia halted the logging of its old-growth forests six years ago, as did New Zealand in the year 2000.

Trees and Bikes: The Big Tree Tour

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.