Fighting to protect B.C.’s ancient forests

Check it out! The AFA’s TJ Watt and former Executive Director Ken Wu were featured on CBC’s “The National” showcasing an endangered ancient forest and recent old-growth clearcutting near Hadikin Lake on Vancouver Island.

Watch the original piece here.

*Please take note of these relevant facts while watching:
1) Most of BC’s industry is already based on second-growth, but, without a course correction from the BC government, the timber industry won’t stop until the very last unprotected old-growth tree has fallen.

2) The NDP has no targets, timelines, or policies to expedite the transition to second-growth forestry while protecting remaining old-growth forests. This is a huge moral, environmental, and economic failure on the BC government’s part.

3) 79% of the productive old-growth forests have been already logged on Vancouver Island, including well over 90% of the valley bottoms where the largest trees grow. Only 8% are protected in parks and Old-Growth Management Areas.

4) Economic studies have shown that old-growth forests have greater economic value standing compared to logging when factoring in values for tourism, recreation, clean water, fisheries, non-timber forest products (wild mushrooms, berries, etc.), and carbon offsets. This is more true today than ever – Port Renfrew and Tofino are shining examples of communities whose economies have vastly benefited from standing, living ancient forests. With more and more visitors coming to BC to experience our ‘pristine’ wilderness, many more communities could benefit from protecting old-growth, now and into the future!