Entries by TJ Watt

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.

NEW, CONVENIENT PHONE-IN credit card DONATIONS

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!

Big Trees Pedal Powered Tour Completed!

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.

Tall Tree Music Festival in Port Renfrew, Friday June 25 – Sunday June 27

This weekend festival in Port Renfrew is being hosted by various local businesses, including the Bigfish Lodge, Wild Coast Cottages, Sitka Surfboards, and Radio Contact Productions, in support of the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA). The festival will feature bands and DJs from across Canada playing in a coastal venue with views over the West Coast Trail and the Port San Juan. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the AFA. For more information, please visit https://www.radiocontact.ca/

Hunting the ancient giants

They don’t have much in the way of money, equipment or people, but Ken Wu says big tree hunting is drawing critical attention to the plight of old growth forests.

Ahimsa Yoga in Sooke Hosts Fundraiser for the Ancient Forest Alliance

Ahimsa Yoga in Sooke is hosting a special Karma Yoga class with all proceeds donated to the AFA!

Reinventing Renfrew

When members of the Ancient Forest Alliance asked Port Renfrew restaurant owner Jessica Hicks to host a public meeting about a stand of old growth trees dubbed Avatar Grove, Hicks thought she might use the event as a fundraiser for the fledgeling environmental group. Then, reflecting on her Coastal Kitchen Cafe’s place in the community and the smouldering tension between environmentalists and B.C.’s logging towns, Hicks decided a simple information session might ruffle fewer feathers.

Discover Sooke Blog – Avatar Grove in Port Renfrew

From the Discover Sooke tourism website: "Over the long weekend, Mrs. Discover Sooke and I, made the trek west from Sooke to Port Renfrew to visit the much talked about piece of land with a few remaining first growth forest trees standing on it. This piece of land has been dubbed “Avatar Grove”, after the movie, for its large and gnarly trees."

Ancient Forest Alliance Avatar Grove Trip March 2010

On March 28th 2010, the Ancient Forest Alliance lead its first public hike to help save the Avatar Grove and to raise awareness about Vancouver Island’s rapidly vanishing old-growth ecosystems. 80 people made the trip in the wet weather to see the spectacular forest. Filmed and edited by Nic Vandergugten.

Ancient Forest Alliance Applauds CRD Parks for Considering Public Input

A group who’s mission is to save the island’s old growth forests is giving CRD Parks a pat on the back, this for hosting a number of public input meetinsg over the past two weeks.