Recent News

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone at Radio Contact Productions, Bigfish Lodge, Wild Coast Cottages, and Sitka Surfboards for organising such a successful event and so generously supporting the AFA. Thanks, as well, to all the volunteers, the event sponsors, the amazing musicians, and everyone who attended in support of the AFA!

The provincial forestry watchdog agency agrees the province should allow a mature coastal Douglas fir forest in Nanoose to be logged, but stops short of saying how it can be done. The Forest Practices Board investigated a complaint against the B.C. Forests Ministry for issuing a woodlot licence for District Lot 33, a 64-hectare property containing rare coastal Douglas fir forest in Nanoose Bay.

IN CONCERT What: Tall Tree Music Festival When: Friday and Saturday (camping is available) Where: Wild Coast Cottages, 6574 Baird Rd., Port Renfrew Tickets: $70 (weekend pass) at Sitka Surf Shop, McPherson box office, and www.rmts.com Information: talltreefestival.com

Canada is among the last of the developed nations that logs its old-growth forests. In the US, the vast majority of logging takes place in second-growth stands, while Europeans log second- and third-growth forests. Southwestern Australia halted the logging of its old-growth forests six years ago, as did New Zealand in the year 2000.

The Big Tree Tour is a fundraising ride started by four friends who happen to be very passionate about the work the Ancient Forest Alliance is doing. “We also like riding bikes,” said Big Tree Tour organizer and rider Leroy Nixon. The purpose of the tour is to raise awareness about the preservation of our ancient forests through ecotourism and human-powered travel.

As a new grassroots organization and with our June 21 deadline to raise $20,000 fast approaching, we are in GREAT need of funding. Per dollar, your support will go farther with us than with virtually any other major environmental organization in the country, allowing us to build a most effective movement for our ancient forests and forestry jobs!

On Sunday, June 6, the numerous cyclists participating in the Big Trees Pedal Powered Tour successfully completed the final leg of their 4 day, 260 kilometre self-propelled journey to see some of the stunning old growth forests of southern Vancouver Island. The trip was organised as a fundraiser and to raise awareness of the pressing need for protection of BC’s endangered forests. As part of their trip, the riders visited many of the biggest trees in Canada, including those found in the spectacular Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew. In recent months, freshly logged stumps measuring 45 feet in circumference have been found in the Gordon River Valley, just over a kilometre from Avatar Grove.