Entries by TJ Watt

Canada’s grandest old-growth rainforest at risk from logging, survey tape discovered

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“Because of the ideal growing conditions in the region, Canada’s temperate rainforests reach their most magnificent proportions in the Walbran and Carmanah Valleys,” stated Ancient Forest Alliance campaigner and photographer TJ Watt. "It's our version of America's redwoods. Unfortunately, the upper half of the Walbran Valley remains open for logging. The area currently threatened, as well as the Castle Grove, constitute the most ecologically significant and intact sections left in the Upper Walbran Valley. They must be protected."

Canada’s Grandest Rainforest at Risk from Old-growth Logging as Survey Tape is discovered in the Heart of the Walbran Valley

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Port Renfrew, British Columbia – One of Canada’s most iconic and grandest old-growth temperate rainforests is under threat as signs of potential logging have been discovered in the heart of the Upper Walbran Valley on Vancouver Island. Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) activists TJ Watt and Jackie Korn recently documented survey tape marked “Falling Boundary” and “Road Location” in the Central Walbran Ancient Forest, one of the last, largely-intact sections of the unprotected portion of the valley.

THANK YOU to LUSH, MEC, Patagonia, and the Evergreen Foundation

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The Ancient Forest Alliance is most grateful for the major support of ethical companies and foundations in helping our organization continue our work to protect BC's endangered old-growth forests and to ensure a sustainable, second-growth forest industry. We are giving great THANKS to LUSH, MEC, Patagonia, and the Evergreen Foundation for their support!

VIDEO: Reexamining the Forest

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This great video by Wyatt Visuals, featuring researcher Ira Sutherland and Tla-o-qui-aht canoe carver Joe Martin, describes their work to measure the ecosystem services of Vancouver Island’s old-growth forests, including for First Nations cultural uses, in Nuu-chah-nulth territory in 2014.

Avatar Grove Boardwalk: Preliminary Phase Complete – THANK YOU SO MUCH!

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THANKS to your support, we've raised over $12,000 in 2014 so far and have now completed the basic, preliminary phase of the boardwalk, including including vital bridges, steps, tree-viewing platforms, and walkways over several sensitive, steep, slippery and wet sections. This is an incredible improvement from before and one that has been enjoyed by thousands of people already from all across the world. If you've yet to visit the grove since the work began, now's a great time to do so! Funding Still Needed for 2015 Upgrades..

OPINION: It’s time to fully deliver Great Bear Rainforest agreements

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"Today, after years of technical work, negotiations and planning, all parties involved have a clear understanding of what the solutions package will include: improve decision-making between Province and First Nations; new human well-being commitments for First Nations; increase the amount of rainforest off-limits to logging to 70 per cent of the natural old-growth and an ecologically-sound forest management framework.  All that is missing at this point is for the B.C. government to heed the call from First Nations, forestry companies, environmental organizations and a majority of British Columbians (68 per cent, according to a 2013 poll) and focus leadership and resources to finish the task in the coming weeks."

We’ve crossed 30,000 petition signatures! THANK YOU! Let’s keep going!

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The Ancient Forest Alliance's petition to protect British Columbia’s endangered old-growth forests and forestry jobs recently crossed the 30,000 signature mark! Thank you to everyone who has signed and shared the petition so far. You're helping send a clear message to BC's politcians that we need to protect our endangered old-growth forests, log second-growth sustainbly, and ban raw log exports. Can you now help us reach 50,000 by sharing this link online? ancientforestalliance.org/ways-to-take-action-for-forests/petition/

2014 Avatar Grove Boardwalk Progress and Photo Galleries

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The Ancient Forest Alliance has nearly completed the preliminary phase of boardwalk construction at the Avatar Grove in essential areas such as the steep and slippery slopes, the roots around the biggest trees, and over creeks and other obstacles. More upgrades can still be done in the future but the toughest parts are almost compete. A big thanks goes out to our volunteers and donors! Fundraising for the boardwalk project will continue as we still have more work to complete in the new year.