In May 2019, the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) visited the town of Tahsis on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island in Mowachaht/Muchalaht territory to see first-hand old-growth forests at risk of being logged by Western Forest Products. Mayor Martin Davis, local community members, and AFA campaigners visited an old-growth forest on the steep hillside directly above town, which’s home to scores of ancient Douglas-firs and is an important firebreak to the town below.
For years, the Tahsis community has pushed to protect its surrounding old-growth forests, including the nearby McKelvie Valley watershed, hoping to emulate Port Renfrew’s success in promoting big tree tourism. Thankfully, in 2021, Tahisis and Western Forest Products (WFP) signed a Letter of Understanding, where WFP agreed not to log the McKelvie Valley.
More recently, the Salmon Park Initiative proposed by the Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht First Nations intends to safeguard entire watersheds in the Tahsis/Gold River region to preserve habitat for wild salmon and the creatures and cultures that depend on them. AFA has partnered with the Mowachaht/Muchalaht to support this incredible project that will protect 310 km2 of old-growth forests.
See our Tahsis Community Spotlight video from 2019, when the McKelvie Valley was still at risk.
Take action by sending an instant message to protect old-growth forests.
