Entries by TJ Watt

Notes From the Field: Powell River Trip

In September 2021, Ancient Forest Alliance visited the city of Powell River to explore the region’s remaining old-growth forests, and meet with local community members and the Tla’amin First Nation to hear their views on the conservation of old-growth forests in the region.  We experienced awe-inspiring landscapes, stunning ancient rainforests, and fascinating perspectives on old-growth conservation

Photos: Eldred River Valley

Located in Tla’amin First Nation territory, outside the town of Powell River, the Eldred Valley is legendary among rock climbers for its towering granite peaks while also supporting some of the last vestiges of old-growth forest in the region.

Photos: Mount Freda Ancient Forests – qathet Region

Located in the territory of the Tla’amin and shíshálh First Nations, and close to the town of Powell River, Mt. Freda is home to some of the oldest trees in Canada. High in the mountains, locked in by snow for much of the year, these forests are incredibly slow growing, delicate ecosystems. Some ancient yellow cedars logged on Mt. Freda were found to be over 1200 years old.

Old-growth images net Victoria photographer grant named for Jeopardy! host

Victoria photographer TJ Watt, whose photos documenting the loss of old-growth trees have been seen around the world, has won a grant named for former Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek.

The Trebek Initiative grant will support the continuation of Watt’s “before” and “after” series, which depicts 800-to-1,000-year-old red cedars in the Caycuse Valley of southern Vancouver Island next to images of the stumps left behind after the trees are cut.