Thank you to our monthly business donors!

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Thank you to our incredible business supporters who go above and beyond by making monthly contributions to the old-growth campaign. Monthly donations are the backbone of our work — providing reliable support so we can focus on our mandate to help protect old-growth forests in BC and ensure a transition to a sustainable second-growth forestry industry.

Thank you to Blue Skies Accounting, Arrowmaker Advisory & Accounting, Earth Spirit Canada, Seaflora Skincare and Camp Wolf Willow!

Your commitment ensures that we can focus our energy on impactful work rather than fundraising, helping us protect these endangered ecosystems year-round. We are deeply grateful for your belief in our solutions-based approach to ancient forest protection and for standing with us month after month.

If your business is interested in becoming a monthly champion for old growth, please email us at info@ancientforestalliance.org or call (250) 896-4007.

Thank you to these businesses and organizations!

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As a business or organization, there are many ways to support the old-growth campaign in BC. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the following for their passion and commitment in helping to ensure these endangered forests are protected! 

Thank you to:

  • Mme. Leblanc’s students at École des Glaciers, who executed an entrepreneurial project in which they sold a handmade product at the local farmers market and gave 10% of all their sales to the Ancient Forest Alliance.
  • Robinson’s Outdoor Store, who gave a generous donation as part of their Patagonia Thrifting for Charity Initiative, and who are valued long-time supporters.
  • And the Ewasiuk-Dobbie Family Foundation for their kind contribution to the campaign. 

Your generosity and belief in the work we’re doing here at AFA are greatly appreciated, and we’re very grateful! If you work at or own a business that shares our vision and would like to support old-growth protection through a one-time or monthly donation, contact info@ancientforestalliance.org to learn more.

We’re grateful for our creative business supporters!

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We’re incredibly grateful for the many creative ways our supporters help advance the movement to protect endangered old-growth forests in British Columbia. From hosting benefit concerts and donating a portion of art sales, to workplace giving and foundation support, there are so many ways to make a difference!

Special thanks to:

Your creativity, dedication, and passion for protecting these endangered ecosystems is inspiring, and we’re very grateful!

If you own or work at a business that shares our vision and would like to support old-growth protection through a one-time or monthly donation, contact info@ancientforestalliance.org. We’d love to hear from you!

Thank You for Celebrating 15 Years with Us 🌲

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Dear Ancient Forest Friends,

Thank you to everyone who attended and/or supported the Ancient Forest Alliance’s (AFA) 15th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser on May 1st at the beautiful Gorge Pavilion!

It was truly special to connect in person with our amazing community while reflecting on everything we’ve accomplished together over the past 15 years and looking ahead to what’s next.

From AFA’s humble beginnings, with co-founders TJ and Ken running things on a shoestring budget, to early wins like the protection of Avatar Grove, to the powerful movement we’ve built today—with over a billion dollars in provincial-federal funding now on the table for nature conservation in BC—it’s been an incredible journey so far!

Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $13,000 to support our efforts to protect endangered old-growth forests in BC. We’re so grateful.

Meeting many of you in person was a beautiful reminder of the dedicated, passionate, and kind community standing with us. As TJ shared during his presentation, AFA’s first year began with just 55 monthly donors, and 44 of you are still with us to this day. Your continued support, along with that of the thousands who’ve joined since, has been essential to AFA’s success over the past decade and a half. Thank you.

We also want to give a heartfelt shout-out to the local businesses and individuals who generously donated to our silent auction. Thank you to: Edith Looker, Helen Utsal, Cathy Hussey, Diana Beresford-Kroeger, Nathan Hutchinson, Mike Pedde, Living Forest Campground, Tantalus Design, BFit Personal Training, Organic & Sustainable Trading Company, The Basic Books Group & Thor Hanson, Viva Cacao!, Patagonia Victoria, Russell Books, Wildwood Saunas, Havn Saunas, Nicola North Art, WildPlay Element Parks, Seaflora Skincare, Robinson’s Outdoor Store, Silfr Metal Art, Understory Supply Co., and Amanda Key Design.

And a big thank you to Food For Thought Catering and Bon Macaron for the delicious eats, Twist of Fate for the refreshing drinks, Zero Waste Emporium for providing cutlery and mugs through their free dish library, and the Gorge Pavilion staff.

We’re proud of how far we’ve come and thankful to have you with us for what’s next.

For the forests,

The AFA Team

 

Thank you to these foundation donors for their generosity!

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Donations through foundations are a great way to contribute to Ancient Forest Alliance, as this funding allows us to continue our important work protecting the at-risk old-growth forests in BC and ensuring a transition to a sustainable, second-growth forestry industry!

Thank you to:

Your generosity and belief in the work we’re doing here at AFA are greatly appreciated, and we’re very grateful!

Thank you to these incredible businesses for their support!

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Our business donors are a critical part of the engine driving our old-growth campaign forward. We extend our sincerest thanks to the following for standing with us in our mission!

Kootenay Wildcrafting Company, who, in addition to being our newest monthly business donor, is donating 10% of their profits to the old-growth campaign.
Nathan Hutchinson, who has donated profits to AFA from his book, Evergreen.
Chris Sterry, who donates half the proceeds from his art to AFA and other charities.
The Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver Island Section and Bluewater Adventures for their generous donations, and Wild Coast Perfumery for their ongoing support of our work.

Your dedication to the cause and creative ways of contributing are invaluable to the work we do and we appreciate your generosity greatly!

If you work at or own a business that is passionate about protecting the imperiled ancient forests of BC and would like to become a one-time or monthly donor, email info@ancientforestalliance.org to learn more.

Thank you to our corporate matching donors!

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We’d like to take this opportunity to offer a special thank you to our Benevity donors!

The ability to receive vital funding through corporate matching programs, such as with Benevity, is another positive aspect of becoming a registered charity.

Corporate matching is when companies financially match employees’ donations to a specific charity, such as AFA. Many employers offer this as a way to prioritize and encourage corporate social responsibility. So, when an employee makes a donation, their employer will match it.

Increase your impact through your workplace and check with your HR team to see if your employer offers corporate matching today!

Thank you Elements Outfitters for being an outstanding business supporter!

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We’re very grateful to all the businesses that support our mission here at Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA).

This month, we specifically want to thank our friends at Elements Outfitters, who not only contribute to AFA as part of their 1% For The Planet program but also sell our merchandise at their Patagonia Victoria store. For over 10 years, they’ve generously backed our efforts to help protect endangered old-growth forests in BC, including iconic places where people love to hike and explore. We cannot thank them enough!

If you’re a business owner and would like to support our work, please email us at info@ancientforestalliance.org.

Thank you to these foundations for their support!

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An exciting aspect of the Ancient Forest Alliance’s transition to a charitable organization is our newfound ability to accept donations through various foundations! We extend our gratitude to the following foundations for their generous contributions toward ancient forest protection in British Columbia for 2024.

We would like to thank The Frosted Tips Foundation, Cavelti Family Foundation, Mactaggart Third Fund, MacVicar Trust, both the Gaia Fund and the Don & Joan Stanley Fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation, and the Lightburn Family Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation, for their outstanding support toward the old-growth campaign this year.

There’s still time to contribute to the ancient forests of BC before the year concludes! We invite you to consider us when making your next foundation donation. Your support is greatly valued.

Ancient Forest Alliance – Best of 2024!

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As 2024 comes to a close, we are beyond thankful for all you’ve helped us achieve this year. With you, our community, alongside us, we’re excited to build on all the momentum we’ve generated in recent years to keep ancient forests standing for generations to come. Read on to see our highlights from 2024, and if you’re able, please make a tax-deductible donation to help us start strong in 2025! We appreciate any amount you can give! Thank you.

2024 Conservation Highlights

Aerial view of Flores Island.

Aerial view of Flores Island, Ahousaht territory.

1. Clayoquot Sound Old-Growth – Protected At Last!

In spring 2024, the Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and BC NDP government declared 760 square kilometres of land (an area larger than Greater Victoria) protected in a series of new conservancies in Clayoquot Sound near Tofino, BC. The protected areas harbour some of the grandest and most intact coastal old-growth temperate rainforests on Earth (e.g. Flores Island & Meares Island) and represent the largest old-growth forest protected areas victory in BC since the Great Bear Rainforest conservancies were announced in 2006. Congratulations to the amazing Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht leadership for their work and for seeing their visions reach this amazing milestone – some 40 years in the making!

2. Expanded Klinse-Za/Twin Sisters Park – Largest Park Created in BC in a Decade

A significant stretch of caribou habitat in northeastern BC was permanently protected in the newly expanded Klinse-Za/Twin Sisters Park. The announcement follows years of collaboration between the West Moberly First Nations, Saulteau First Nations and the provincial and federal governments, who agreed to work together to recover caribou herds on the brink of extinction. This park expansion will protect nearly 200,000 hectares of habitat for endangered caribou in B.C.’s northeast and marks noteworthy progress in the BC NDP’s promise to protect 30% of BC lands by 2030.

3. BC NDP-Green Agreement Creates New Opportunity to Strengthen Old-Growth Forest Protection Policies

The year wrapped up with news of a rare political opportunity after the BC NDP and Green parties signed the 2024 Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord. The cooperation agreement calls for the BC government to work toward achieving protection of the Fairy Creek Watershed in partnership with the Pacheedaht First Nation, whose unceded territory it is, and the Ditidaht First Nation, who has various legal arrangements that overlap in the area. More importantly, the cooperation agreement outlines the parties’ intention to undertake a review of BC forests with First Nations and diverse sectors of society to address jobs, environmental protection, and sustainability. More on this to come.

Top News Stories of 2024

Ancient Forest Alliance photos, videos, and media releases continue to garner major news coverage, helping to raise widespread public awareness of the need to protect endangered old-growth forests. Here are a few of the year’s top new stories on AFA and old growth!

1. The Narwhal – Over half of Clayoquot Sound’s iconic forests are now protected — here’s how First Nations and BC did it

2. Times Colonist — Photo of old-growth cedar tree on Flores Island wins international award. Also featured in The Guardian & CNN!

3. The Black Press — Advocate makes passionate plea for Island’s old growth at Victoria TEDx talk

4. The Narwhal — BC Conservative Leader says his party would kill ‘nonsense’ plans for new protected areas

5. Global News — BC advocates raising alarm due to recent clear-cut on Vancouver Island

See our news archives for the full list of stories.

Top 5 Photos of 2024

Conservation photography plays a vital role in bringing endangered ecosystems to life. Whether a photo of a beautiful Garry oak meadow in springtime, a foggy rainforest on the west coast, or the devastating scene of an old-growth clearcut, compelling imagery can invoke within us a sense of wonder and awe or heartbreak and urgency to act. Each year, AFA photographer TJ Watt captures thousands of photos to help tell the story of endangered forests in BC – below are just a few of his stand-out shots from 2024!

Camas Meadow, Uplands Park – Coast Salish territory

TJ Watt stands beside a giant redcedar in Jurassic Grove on a foggy day.

Fortress Giant, Jurassic Grove – Pacheedaht territory

Big Lonely Doug, Port Renfrew – Pacheedaht territory

Before & After Logging Nahmint, Nahmint Valley – Hupačasath, Tseshaht, & Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ territory

Fallen Cedar
Nahmint Valley – Hupačasath, Tseshaht, & Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ territory

Top 3 Videos of 2024

1. TJ Watt’s TEDxVictoria Talk: One Last Shot to Protect Old-Growth Forests in British Columbia

2. Climbing Carmanah’s Largest Spruce Tree

3. Nahmint Valley Old-Growth Destruction

International Exposure

AFA photographer TJ Watt was awarded in Earth Photo 2024, an international photography competition hosted by the Royal Geographical Society in London, UK. His award-winning image, Flores Island Cedar, and story were featured in the Times Colonist, The Guardian, and CNN!

In February, TJ travelled to the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, where he gave a presentation on “The Search for the World’s Biggest Trees.” This was part of REACH to FOREST, a two-week event blending art, science, and culture in the nation’s capital. Famed forest ecologist Andy MacKinnon also spoke as part of the Big Tree Hunters Party. It was a fabulous event, helping raise international awareness of the importance of protecting old-growth forests!

We Launched Old-Growth Hiking Guides!

This year, we wanted to share with you some of our favourite old-growth hikes in the Victoria and Port Renfrew areas on southern Vancouver Island. From idyllic parks mere minutes from the capital city of BC to rugged wilderness areas further up the coast, these old-growth forests and giant trees invite visitors to embark on a journey back in time. Where will you go next?

Victoria

Without leaving paved roads, there are worlds of ancient forests to explore right in Victoria’s backyard. There are multiple parks and accessible trails where visitors can marvel at the ancient giants in this rare Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem.

Francis/King Regional Park, Lekwungen territory

Port Renfrew

Known as the “Tall Trees Capital of Canada,” the forests around Port Renfrew hold some of the largest and grandest trees left in the country. Find out how to visit the Red Creek Fir, Eden Grove, San Juan Spruce, Big Lonely Doug, and more!

Jurassic Grove, Pacheedaht territory

We hope you enjoyed some of our highlights of the past year! As always, we’re extremely grateful for your support and that of our community. Without you contacting decision-makers, signing our resolutions, sharing our photos & news stories, donating, and always going the extra mile when called for, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Together, we are well on our way to achieving lasting protection for the old-growth forests of British Columbia. While there’s much more work to be done, we’re ready to hit the ground running with you in 2025!

Thank you for standing with us year after year.

For the forests,

—The Ancient Forest Alliance team

The six members of AFA staff stand beside each other in front of an ancient Doulas-fir tree.

The AFA team from left to right: Joan Varley (Administrative Director), Coral Forbes (Donor Relations and Administrative Associate), Nadia Sheptycki (Victoria Canvass Director), Kristen Bounds (Communications Coordinator), Issy Turnill (Forest Campaigner), TJ Watt (Senior Campaigner & Photographer)