Entries by TJ Watt

Old-growth forest ‘a sea of stumps’

Massive stumps found on Crown land near Port Renfrew are arousing fears that logging companies are taking the biggest and best old-growth trees — at the same time as the local chamber of commerce is trying to promote giant-tree tourism.

Massive Port Renfrew tree stumps raise logging suspicions

Massive stumps found on Crown land near Port Renfrew are arousing fears that logging companies are taking the biggest and best old-growth trees even though the local chamber of commerce wants to promote giant tree tourism.

Old-growth forest activists turn to Facebook

Some Vancouver Island environmentalists who say they discovered tree stumps as wide as a living room are turning to Facebook for help raising awareness of what’s being lost through old-growth logging.

“Canada’s Biggest Stumps Competition” Launched

Discovery of numerous 12 to 15 feet (3.7 to 4.6 meters) wide old-growth stumps recently logged near the Avatar Grove on Vancouver Island prompts creation of a new Facebook group where members can upload their largest stump photos.

Celebration of Nature, Music and Dance brings artists together to protect forests

"Celebration of Nature, Music and Dance" took place in a unique setting at Tzvi’s Place, 1823 E 2nd Ave in Vancouver. Music and dance started last night, Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 7:30pm and ran through Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 2:00am. The event was described as "honoring our Ancient Forests with incredibly talented musicians, dancers and artists."

The event was partially a fundraiser for the Ancient Forest Alliance, which is a new British Columbian organization working to protect the endangered old-growth forests of BC and to ensure sustainable forestry jobs in the province. It was founded in January of 2010 by former Western Canada Wilderness Committee activists Ken Wu, TJ Watt, and others, and by Vancouver old-growth activist Michelle Connolly. I spoke with Michelle Connolly about the groups mission to be a grassroots environmental organisation working to foster knowledge and connection to these forests, as well as to advocate politically for their protection.

Fundraising Update

So far 200 supporters have contributed $8854 since we launched our funding drive on March 22, with a minimum goal of raising $20,000 by June 21.

Big Trees Pedal Powered Tour

10 cyclists will be riding 260 kilometers to the biggest trees in Canada by Port Renfrew, the Red Creek Fir and the San Juan Spruce and to the spectacular Avatar Grove, from June 3 to 6 to raise funds and awareness for the Ancient Forest Alliance!