The Port Alberni Watershed Forest Alliance has been relentless in their campaign to save the old-growth forests around Port Alberni, at McLaughlin Ridge, the Cameron Valley Ancient Forest, Horne Mountain (above Cathedral Grove) and Katlum Creek. Led by Jane Morden and a great local team, they are real forest heroes in this province!
Here's a new Alberni Valley Times article about the old-growth forests at McLaughlin Ridge, which conservationists are pushing the BC government to protect:
As logging continues in McLaughlin Ridge, the B.C. Teachers Federation voted to ask Island Timberlands to sell the forestry land it owns in the steeply sloped area. The motion passed Jan. 31 at a BCTF assembly of district representatives, urging the forestry company to sell McLaughlin Ridge to "an organization(s) that will conserve and preserve forest lands."
The old growth forest is within the China Creek watershed, the drinking water source for more than 20,000 people in Port Alberni and Beaver Creek. Ken Zydyk, president of the Alberni Teachers Union, said the request for Island Timberlands to divest the land was first approved by public educators in Port Alberni.
"There are many teachers concerned about the current practices of Island Timberlands," he said.
"Teachers are uncomfortable that we put some of our salary towards our pension, it's like a savings account that we access later," Zydyk said, adding that the concern was if teachers' funds are "being used in a socially responsible way."
The forestry company has met with municipal officials on almost a monthly basis since city council voted last August to join a lobbying effort to halt harvesting in McLaughlin Ridge.
This push is being led by the Watershed Forest Alliance, a local environmental group that fears the forestry activity is unsustainable, harming McLaughlin Ridge's wildlife and compromising Port Alberni's source of drinking water.
The Ancient Forest Alliance would like to give great thanks to the local businesses, green enterprises, environmental foundations, artists and other organizations whose generous support has allowed us to more effectively campaign for the protection of BC’s endangered old-growth forests. See here for an overview of 2014 donors!
For more details on supporting the AFA as a business, artist or other organization, see here.
For a full list of businesses, artists and other organizations that have supported the AFA, see here.
The Ancient Forest Alliance is most grateful to the Mountain Equipment Co-op (www.MEC.ca) for their major support provided through their Community Contributions grant program. This funding support will allow the AFA to expand our capacity as an organization and strengthen our campaign to protect endangered old-growth forests on Vancouver Island!
The AFA would also like to thank Innerlife Health Services (innerlife.ca) for their Community Clinic fundraiser, as well as Climbing Arborist (www.climbingarborist.com) and the Mat Fernandez Project for supporting the AFA through their film screening event. Thank you to all who were involved for your dedicated support!
Here's a new article in the Island Tides about the Central Walbran Valley's ancient forest being flagged for potential logging.
Mountain Life Magazine has just done a little piece on the Ancient Forest Alliance and filmmaker Darryl Augustine (of Roadside Films – see https://www.facebook.com/roadsidefilmsbc) about his experience working on a film about us.
You can see Darryl's great new film at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg9dcc2WPjk
Here is the obituary of Dr. Al Carder, who passed away at 104 years in age recently. Dr. Carder leaves an impressive scientific and conservation legacy, having spent decades researching and promoting the conservation of BC's biggest old-growth trees years before the rise of the modern ancient forest movement. Dr. Carder recently received the Forest Sustainability Award from the Ancient Forest Alliance
This Holiday Season, VISIT our AFA SALES BOOTHS, open until December 23, to get our new CALENDARS (2015), CARDS, POSTERS, CERTIFICATES (Adopt-an-Ancient Tree or Grove, Avatar Boardwalk), SHIRTS, STICKERS, and other items (or you can order online at www.ancientforestalliance.org/store.php):
*cash, cheques, & credit cards accepted at both locations**
The documentary, by filmmaker Darryl Augustine (www.facebook.com/
In wrapping up our successful year of 2014, the AFA opened our doors to our supporters for our "Year End Meet & Greet and Open House" this past Wednesday, Dec.10 at our office space at The Dock above Fantan Alley in Victoria. It was wonderful to have so many members of our community come out and celebrate the work we do together. The night was filled with photos and friendly faces, and also fancy treats for which we owe thanks to several generous local businesses. Bon Macaron Patisserie Ltd. (www.bonmacaronpatisserie.com), your donation of a macaron tree was thoughtful and delicious, and they were a hit with our guests! Cordial Wildcrafted Consumables (www.cordialwildcraftedconsumables.com), we are also so grateful for the giant batch of Grand Fir cookies you made us! We'd also like to give a thanks to Pedersen's Event Rentals (https://pedersens.ca), for their discounted rate on glassware rental for the evening – every little bit helps! As we all know, good news, good food, and good company makes a great party – we're looking forward to celebrating with you all again next year!
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