Entries by TJ Watt

“Tall Trees Tourism Corridor” Chambers of Commerce join Conservationists, Forestry Workers and First Nations at Rally for Old-Growth Forest Protection and Sustainable Forestry Jobs

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Representatives from the Port Renfrew, Sooke, and Westshore Chambers of Commerce, First Nations, local governments, and environmental groups spoke up at the Alix Goolden Hall in Victoria yesterday, calling on the new provincial government to enact policies to protect BC’s old-growth forests, ensure a sustainable, value-added, second-growth forest industry, and support First Nations land use plans and sustainable economic development.

New! 2018 Ancient Forest Calendars & Cards, Posters, Stickers, Certificates, and other Merchandise

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Make the Ancient Forest Alliance your holiday-giving priority by picking up some of our beautiful AFA merchandise and/or donating to our historic campaign mobilization. We're proud to present our 2018 calendar and our other products such as cards, stickers, certificates, posters and gift packs which are available for purchase with proceeds going toward protecting BC's endangered old-growth forests and to ensure a sustainable second growth forest industry.

• Order products online HERE
• Donate HERE

Conservationists thank the Pacheedaht First Nation for extending protection over 18 hectares of “Jurassic Grove” near Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island

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The Ancient Forest Alliance is thanking the Pacheedaht First Nation band for proposing expanded protection for an 18 hectare portion of the stunning “Jurassic Grove”, a monumental old-growth forest of giant redcedars, Douglas-fir, and Sitka spruce trees located a 90 minute drive west of Victoria between Jordan River and Port Renfrew. The proposed expansion in the new management plan of Tree Farm Licence 61, partly owned by the Pacheedaht band, would protect about 30% of the 61 hectares that are still unprotected in the Jurassic Grove (total grove size is 130 hectares). The spectacular grove stands on Crown lands adjacent to the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, in the unceded traditional territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation. See the original media release about Jurassic Grove, identified earlier this year as an exceptional old-growth grove by the Ancient Forest Alliance at: https://ancientforestalliance.org/photos-media/jurassic-grove/ and a Times Colonist piece at: https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/avatar-grove-the-sequel-introducing-jurassic-grove-1.18540489 

AFA Year-End Celebration & Fundraiser

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Join us Saturday, November 25, at the Victoria Event Centre (1415 Broad St) for the Ancient Forest Alliance's year-end celebration to honour our 8th year of operation, and the amazing community that has helped us get to where we are today!

Enjoy some appetizers, drinks, and music with AFA volunteers, staff, donors, and supporters! The night will feature a fun and informative slideshow presented by the AFA's Andrea Inness, Ken Wu, and TJ Watt, followed by a meet and greet, silent auction fundraiser from 5:30 to 8:30 pm and then musical performances from 8:45 pm to 1 am. This is also a great chance to pick up Christmas gifts like our 2018 calendar. Come join us for a beer, relax, and have some fun!

We are also very excited to announce that Oliver Swain will be playing at our event, followed by three local DJs!

See here for a schedule and more information.

  • Tickets are available for the presentation and/or musical performances.
  • Purchase your tickets here. or call 250 896 4007
  • Interested in volunteering? Email Amanda at canvass@15.222.255.145
  • For questions regarding accessibility into the event, please email us at info@ancientforestalliance.org

We look forward to seeing you at the event! 

Info Night and Rally on Tues, Nov. 28, at Alix Goolden Hall, from 7 – 8:30 pm

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Time/Date: Tuesday Nov. 28, from 7 – 8:30 pm
Location: Alix Goolden Hall (907 Pandora Ave)
Free admission

The election of a new NDP government supported by the Greens provides the greatest opportunity in BC's history to protect old-growth forests and end raw log exports.

The AFA's Rally & Info Night for Ancient Forests and BC Forestry Jobs is our chance to let the BC government know we want protection for BC's endangered old-growth forests, support for First Nations land use plans, and a sustainable, value-added, second-growth forest industry. Your participation makes all the difference and will send a strong signal to the government that we want bold action now!

Key Speakers Include:

  • Joe Martin, Tla-o-qui-aht canoe carver and Band Councillor
  • Robert Morales, Chief Treaty Negotiator, Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group
  • Dr. Andy Mackinnon, Metchosin city Councillor and forest ecologist
  • Arnold Bercov, President of the Public and Private Workers of Canada
  • Karl Ablack, Vice President, Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce
  • Josh Schmidt, Director of Development, West Shore Chamber of Commerce
  • Jens Wieting, Forest and Climate Campaigner, Sierra Club BC
  • Dr. Brian White, Tourism Professor and Program Head, Royal Roads University
  • Torrance Coste, Campaigner, Wilderness Committee
  • TJ Watt, Photographer & Campaigner, Ancient Forest Alliance
  • Andrea Inness, Campaigner, Ancient Forest Alliance
  • Ken Wu, Executive Director, Ancient Forest Alliance 

This is our chance to send an unequivocal message to the BC government to protect ancient forests and forestry jobs!

Please join us and spread the word – your attendance at this rally and info night is critical!

For more information, contact us at info@ancientforestalliance.org, call 250.896.4007 or visit our Facebook event page.

Ancient Forest Alliance Featured in Vancouver’s Chinese-Language Newspaper

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The AFA was recently featured in an article in Sing Tao – Vancouver's Chinese-language newspaper – from our press conference Oct 10th with Jens Wieting of Sierra Club BC, Dan Hagar from the Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce, and Arnie Bercov from the Public and Private Workers of Canada forestry union.

Our organizations came together to shine a spotlight on BC's forestry industry during the 2017 Forest Stewardship Council General Assembly and the need for changes to protect old-growth forests and forestry jobs.

New BC government must reform forest policies, say environmentalists, businesses, and union

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Today, conservationists with the Ancient Forest Alliance and Sierra Club of BC joined representatives from the Public and Private Workers of Canada (PPWC) forestry union and the Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce at a press conference to shine a spotlight on needed government policies to protect BC’s old-growth forests and ensure a sustainable, value-added, second-growth forest industry, during the 2017 Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) General Assembly in Vancouver.

Thank You to Robinson’s Outdoor Store!

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Thank you to Robinson’s Outdoor Store for hosting an amazing benefit night for the AFA with support from Patagonia, beer provided by Spinnakers, and the “Giant Tree Hunters” provided by Nootka Street Film! We are so grateful for their support and for all the 130 people who showed up to make it a stellar night – together over $3000 was raised for the AFA! Thanks so much to Erin Boggs and Matt King of Robinson's, to Ross Mailloux of Patagonia, to Steve Adams and Sean Horlor of Nootka Street Films, and to Spinnakers Brewpub for their tremendous generosity in supporting our campaign to protect BC's endangered old-growth forests and to ensure a value-added, sustainable second-growth forest industry!