TJ stands on the TEDx stage with a photo of a foggy clearcut in the background.

Victoria News: Advocate makes desperate plea for Island’s old-growth at Victoria TEDx talk

Dec. 12, 2024
Victoria News
By Rick Stiebel

See the original article here.

TJ Watt compares old-growth logging on Vancouver Island forests to grinding up castles in Europe into gravel to make highways

To say TJ Watt embraced the opportunity to share his quest to protect B.C.’s old-growth forests to an international audience doesn’t paint a clear-cut picture of how the issue has impacted his life.

Watt is a renowned Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) photographer, big-tree hunter, National Geographic explorer, and Royal Canadian Geographical Society explorer who has dedicated his life to capturing the beauty of old-growth forests in B.C. His viral ‘before and after’ photos were instrumental in exposing the shocking scale of devastation of old-growth logging in B.C.

Among Watt’s efforts is the landmark victory of protecting Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory, and helping to secure major conservation financing to support the creation of new protected areas across B.C.

Watt took his the stage recently at TEDxVictoria 2024 to deliver One Last Shot to Protect Old-Growth Forests in British Columbia, an urgent, passionate plea that fuses elements of his award-winning photography with nearly two decades of experience advocating for the permanent protection of endangered old-growth forests and irreplaceable ecosystems.

“I’m honoured to have been a TEDxVictoria speaker and to have the opportunity to share my life’s mission to protect endangered old-growth forests in B.C. with the world,” said Watt, who was born in Metchosin and co-founded the AFA 15 years ago. “These forests are among the most majestic, vital, and imperilled ecosystems on Earth and without protection, they are at risk of being lost forever. From uncovering groves of ancient giants to trudging up steep mountainsides or slogging through soaked clear-cuts, it’s been a beautiful and, many times, heartbreaking journey documenting these forests.”

Watt estimates that more than 80 per cent of the productive old-growth forests have already been logged on Vancouver Island, including more than 90 per cent of the valley bottoms where the biggest trees grow and the richest biodiversity resides.

“Old-growth forests are extraordinary – some of the ancient trees are as wide as a living room, as tall as a downtown skyscraper, and have lived to be more than a thousand years old,” Watt noted. “Yet, in British Columbia, their destruction from industrial logging continues at an alarming rate. Cutting down thousand-year-old trees and turning them into 2x4s and toilet paper is like grinding up castles in Europe into gravel to make highways. It’s unethical and unnecessary, (especially considering) most of the world is now logging second, third, and fourth-growth forests.

“We must ensure a swift transition to a truly sustainable, value-added, second-growth forestry industry in B.C.” Watt stressed. “By investing in technology that makes higher-value wood products from smaller-diameter trees, we can protect old-growth forests and forestry jobs at the same time. We have a global responsibility to do the right thing.”

Watt said he hopes his talk will raise widespread awareness of this issue and inspire people to stand together and help protect these irreplaceable ecosystems for this generation and those still to come.

In a follow-up interview with the Sooke News Mirror, Watt said he’s pleased that talks with the provincial government and various stakeholder groups about reopening Avatar Grove to the public will resume in the near future after a two-year hiatus.

The AFA is a registered charitable organization working to protect endangered old-growth forests and ensure a sustainable, second-growth forest industry in B.C. that has launched a social media campaign this month featuring Watt’s TEDxVictoria Talk to amplify his message and reach thousands of new viewers.

“With a newly elected government in place and the fate of many endangered old-growth forests still hanging in the balance, Watt’s call to action comes at a pivotal moment for the future of ancient forests in B.C.,” the AFA said in a statement. “Namely, there is still a need for the B.C. government to take a proactive, science-based approach to ensuring the most at-risk old-growth forests are targeted for protection and to deliver “solutions space” funding to help First Nations offset lost logging revenues when being asked to accept logging deferrals in their unceded territories.”

Check out www.youtube.com/watch?v=enF8Zf4EPNg to view Watt’s TEDxVictoria presentation.

A bald eagle soars over the an estuary in the Great Bear Rainforest, BC.

Bald Eagles

When visiting a temperate rainforest in British Columbia, look for the bald eagle, a frequent old-growth visitor.

While not bald, the name comes from an older variation of the word, meaning “white-headed.” These majestic creatures can be found searching for their next meal in salmon-spawning rivers, along the ocean shoreline, or nesting high up in the canopies of ancient giants. Bald eagles build the largest nest of any bird in North America. Their nests can reach up to 8 feet (2.5 metres) across and weigh a metric ton! Since they are territorial birds, they will typically return to that same nest year after year for up to decades.

In addition to their enormous wingspans of 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.3 metres), bald eagles are known for their superpower eyesight. They have a 340-degree field of vision, can spot fish under the water’s surface, and can even see into the ultraviolet range. An eagle’s visual acuity is estimated to be 4 to 8 times greater than that of humans. This means that an eagle can see from a distance of 1.6 kilometers what a human with perfect vision can see from only 200 meters away. They also have binocular and monocular vision, allowing them to spot prey from great distances and navigate their environment with remarkable precision.

Along the Chehalis and Harrison Rivers near Agassiz, BC, in the territory of Sts’ailes First Nation, as many as 10,000 bald eagles have been known to congregate in November and December to feed on spawning salmon, making the area home to one of the largest bald eagle concentrations on Earth. It’s an incredible place to view wildlife this time of year! Nearby, at Echo Lake, one of their night-roosting sites, roughly half of the old-growth forests were protected in 2013 as a result of Ancient Forest Alliance’s campaign efforts. The rest of the forests there must now also be preserved.

How does your eyesight compare to an eagle? How many do you think are in this photo from the Harisson-Chehalis River estuary?? Find the answer at the bottom of this page.

Be sure to check out Hancock Wildlife’s live eagle cams and enjoy some of our favourite eagle photos below!

Answer: About 145 eagles can be found in the photo! Wild!

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

Photos: Jurassic Grove in the Fog

A mystical day in the woods at Jurassic Grove near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory. Exploring this incredible grove of old-growth redcedar trees was like stepping back into prehistoric times.

On this particular day, the fog was so thick it felt like you could swim through it. Shimmering water droplets dripped from the dark green needles while the sound of ocean waves softly filtered through the forest. The odd raven call only added to the magic of it all.

We often have to hustle through the forest, trying to quickly capture images of a place we might not see again. This day, it was nice to slow down and soak up the scenery. A rainforest really feels like a rainforest this time of year.

If you’re looking to visit old-growth forests on Vancouver Island, see our Ancient Forest Hiking Guides for Victoria and Port Renfrew. As always, be sure to tread lightly.

You can also help us protect old-growth forests like this one by making a charitable donation to Ancient Forest Alliance this holiday season.

 

TJ stands on the TEDx stage with a photo of a foggy clearcut in the background.

AFA’s TJ Watt Delivers Powerful TEDxVictoria Talk on Protecting Old-Growth Forests in BC

AFA Photographer, Big-Tree Hunter, and National Geographic Explorer TJ Watt Delivers Powerful TEDxVictoria Talk on Protecting Old-Growth Forests in BC 

Victoria, BC – TJ Watt, renowned Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) photographer, big-tree hunter, and National Geographic Explorer, took the stage at TEDxVictoria 2024 to deliver his talk titled One Last Shot to Protect Old-Growth Forests in British Columbia. Combining his award-winning photography with nearly two decades of experience advocating for endangered old-growth forests, Watt issued an urgent and passionate call for the permanent protection of these irreplaceable ecosystems.

See the talk here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=enF8Zf4EPNg

“I’m honoured to have been a TEDxVictoria speaker and to have the opportunity to share my life’s mission to protect endangered old-growth forests in BC with the world,” said Watt. “These forests are among the most majestic, vital, and imperilled ecosystems on Earth; without protection, they are at risk of being lost forever. Over 80% of the productive old-growth forests have already been logged on Vancouver Island, including well over 90% of the valley bottoms where the biggest trees grow and the richest biodiversity resides. From uncovering groves of ancient giants to trudging up steep mountainsides or slogging through soaked clear-cuts, it’s been a beautiful and, many times, heartbreaking journey documenting old-growth forests.”

As a conservation photographer, Watt has dedicated his life to capturing the beauty and destruction of old-growth forests in BC. His TEDxVictoria Talk takes viewers on a visual and emotional journey of his experience tracking down some of the grandest yet most endangered forests on the planet while leading campaigns to protect them. Among these efforts is the landmark victory of protecting Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory and helping to secure major conservation financing to support the creation of new protected areas across BC. His viral “before and after” photos have also exposed the devastating impacts of old-growth logging in BC.

“Old-growth forests are extraordinary—some of the ancient trees are as wide as a living room, as tall as a downtown skyscraper, and have lived to be more than a thousand years old,” Watt explains. “Yet, in British Columbia, their destruction from industrial logging continues at an alarming rate. Cutting down thousand-year-old trees and turning them into 2x4s and toilet paper is like grinding up castles in Europe into gravel to make highways. It’s unethical and unnecessary. Most of the world is now logging second, third, and fourth-growth forests. We must ensure a swift transition to a truly sustainable, value-added, second-growth forestry industry in BC. By investing in technology that makes higher-value wood products from smaller-diameter trees, we can protect old-growth forests and forestry jobs at the same time. We have a global responsibility to do the right thing. I hope my talk will raise widespread awareness of this issue and inspire people to stand with me and help protect these irreplaceable ecosystems for our generation and those still to come.”

Born and raised in Metchosin on southern Vancouver Island, BC, Watt’s photography and environmental advocacy have established him as a leading voice in the movement to protect old-growth forests in BC and transition to a more sustainable, value-added second-growth forestry industry. His contributions have earned him recognition as a National Geographic Explorer and a Royal Canadian Geographical Society Explorer after he was granted support through the Trebek Initiative. Earlier this year, his image of a monumental redcedar he found on Flores Island in Ahousaht territory was awarded in the prestigious Royal Geographical Society Earth Photo 2024 contest in London and later featured in The Guardian and CNN.

This month, the Ancient Forest Alliance launched a social media campaign featuring Watt’s TEDxVictoria Talk to amplify his message and reach thousands of new viewers. With a newly elected BC government in place and the fate of many endangered old-growth forests still hanging in the balance, his call to action comes at a pivotal moment for the future of ancient forests in BC. Namely, there is still a need for the BC government to take a proactive, science-based approach to ensuring the most at-risk old-growth forests are targeted for protection and to deliver “solutions space” funding to help First Nations offset lost logging revenues when being asked to accept logging deferrals in their unceded territories.

To watch TJ’s TEDxVictoria Talk, see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=enF8Zf4EPNg

About Ancient Forest Alliance 

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) is a registered charitable organization working to protect endangered old-growth forests and ensure a sustainable, second-growth forest industry in BC. We work to educate and mobilize British Columbians to pressure politicians to achieve our goals. We partner with First Nations to help advance old-growth conservation initiatives in their territories; explore and photograph endangered old-growth forests; garner major news media coverage to inform the public; organize hikes, slideshows, and rallies; build support among non-traditional allies, such as businesses, unions, faith groups, and others; lobby politicians; produce important educational materials; and much more.

About TEDxVictoria

TEDx is a grassroots initiative created in the spirit of TED’s overall mission to research and discover “ideas worth spreading.” TEDx brings the spirit of TED to local communities around the globe through TEDx events organized by passionate individuals who seek to share the latest research in their local areas that spark conversations in their communities. TEDx events include live speakers and recorded TED Talks and are organized independently under a free license granted by TED. More than 3000 events are now held annually, and TEDx has over 42 million YouTube subscribers. 2024 was the first year TEDxVictoria took place in a decade. The theme of this year was “It’s up to us.”

New Video! AFA’s TJ Watt’s TEDxVictoria Talk on Old-Growth Forests

Earlier this year, TEDxVictoria returned to the stage with the theme “It’s up to us.” Ancient Forest Alliance photographer, campaigner, and co-founder TJ Watt was selected as one of 12 speakers. Like the famed TED Talks, TEDx (which has over 40 million followers on YouTube!) events host a series of speakers who highlight new ideas, challenges, or perspectives, but on a local level.

In his presentation, One Last Shot to Protect Old-Growth Forests In British Columbia, TJ takes us on a visual journey of his work as a conservation photographer, big tree hunter, and National Geographic Explorer. With stunning imagery and passionate storytelling, he shares his life’s mission: helping to secure permanent protection for endangered ancient forests in British Columbia. His talk also touches on how he tracks down giant trees, recent campaign successes, and what solutions are still needed. Be sure to watch and share it below!

A Note from TJ

“I’ve done many talks over the years, but none made me as nervous as this. How do you convey a topic as complex as old-growth forests and your life’s mission to protect them in just 15 minutes? It’s a lot of pressure – especially on a stage in front of 700 people! The opportunity to share my message, photos, and story with such a large audience, including the global reach that TEDx offers, was too important to pass up on, though.

I’ve dedicated the past 15 years to exploring and documenting endangered old-growth forests in BC to help see them saved. From uncovering groves of ancient giants to trudging up steep mountainsides or slogging through soaked clear-cuts, it’s been a beautiful and, many times, heartbreaking journey. It was an honour to share this story on the TEDxVictoria stage. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, please share it with friends and family to help raise further awareness. Thanks to the TEDxVictoria organizers for including me and everyone’s encouragement along the way.”

Portrait of Ancient Forest Alliance photographer TJ Watt at TEDxVictoria

TJ at TEDxVictoria 2024 [o] Lillie Louise Photography

Feeling inspired?

 

Please SHARE TJ’s TEDxVictoria talk on social media and with friends and family to help expand its reach! Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=enF8Zf4EPNg

Or, donate to support Ancient Forest Alliance‘s work to protect old-growth forests in BC.

Support Endangered Old-Growth Forests This Giving Season!

The old-growth forests of British Columbia are among the most magnificent, ancient, and ecologically diverse ecosystems in the world. They also need our urgent help to protect them. With Giving Tuesday (a global day where people give and celebrate generosity) just a week away, will you help us reach our goal of raising $15,000 to support old-growth protection? We’re most grateful for anything you can give. Our Giving Tuesday campaign runs from today, Tuesday, November 26, until Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and donations are tax-deductible.

Ways you can support

1. Give a monthly or one-time donation to Ancient Forest Alliance 🌲

As a small charitable organization, our work is driven by donations from individuals like you. By making a monthly or one-time donation, you’ll help us carry out critical work, including supporting First Nations partners in developing Indigenous Protected Area proposals that protect old-growth, exploring and documenting endangered forests, and building and strengthening relationships with non-traditional allies to create a broad-based movement of support for ancient forest protection.

Make a charitable donation today!

2. Pick up some AFA merchandise for yourself or a loved one 🛍️

From our 2025 calendars to our new toque and long-sleeve tee, there are many ways to show your love for the old-growth forests of BC! As we head into the giving season, beat the rush and treat yourself or a loved one to some great gifts while helping to support our work.

*Please note: Due to the current strike, we cannot ship orders through Canada Post. A pick-up option is available if you’re in the Victoria area. Shipping via FedEx is also available. See our store at the link below for more information.

Check out the AFA store!

Because of YOUR support, over the past few years, we have made historic progress toward supporting the protection of old-growth forests in British Columbia. AFA’s specific campaigns helped secure the $1-billion BC Nature Agreement, which brings forth major funding for nature conservation in BC, including a $100-million BC Old-Growth Fund to protect the grandest old-growth forests. The province’s commitment to protect 30% of the land area by 2030 also sets the stage to essentially double the amount of protected area in BC over the next five years.

This past summer, the Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and BC NDP government also announced 760 square kilometres of new protected areas in Clayoquot Sound. The vast expansion of protection for Clayoquot, 40 years in the making, represents the largest old-growth forest protected areas victory in BC since the Great Bear Rainforest conservancies were announced in 2006. The BC government is now in discussions with dozens of First Nations across BC to establish Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), including in old-growth forests, totalling thousands of square kilometres.

However, our work is far from over. Going forward, your charitable giving will allow us to expand our work with key allies and First Nations, capture powerful new imagery, grow our hard-working team, and ensure we get the job done as effectively as possible. We’re most grateful for anything you can give.

Thank you for your support!

—The Ancient Forest Alliance team

Issy stands on a mountain with Peyto Lake in the background behind her.

Welcome our new Forest Campaigner, Issy Turnill!

Issy joined AFA in the fall of 2024 as a Forest Campaigner, leaving the hustle of London for the mountains of Vancouver to be closer to the nature she’s passionate about protecting.

Her love for the outdoors started early, exploring the woodlands of Suffolk, England, and the cedar forests of southern France growing up. This early connection led her to study Anthropology to better understand the complex relationship between people and the natural world. Her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology included a semester abroad in Sydney, Australia, gaining an appreciation for Indigenous environmental knowledge, and her master’s degree in Environmental Anthropology focused on community-led conservation approaches.

For the past three years, Issy worked in London as an environmental communications consultant, raising awareness about climate and nature-based solutions. While she loved this work, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being far from the critical ecosystems she was advocating for, which sparked the move to Vancouver.

Now, Issy is thrilled to be helping protect irreplaceable old-growth forests in BC and spending her free time exploring the beauty of these ancient ecosystems firsthand.

Horne Mountain

Thank you to these incredible businesses!

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the following businesses for kindly supporting the old-growth campaign:

Ziptrek Ecotours Inc. — Whistler, which, inspired by their employees, donates 10% of merch and GoPro sales to ancient forest protection.
ZULA Jewelry + Design is donating $1 from every sale of their “Cedar” jewelry line.
Tales on Trails, who inspires folks to donate to Ancient Forest Alliance through their website.

As a business, there are many ways to support our incredibly important work! If you work at or own a business that cares about saving the endangered ancient forests of BC and would like to become a one-time or monthly donor, email info@ancientforestalliance.org to learn more!

A tree climber stands on the limb of Big Lonely Doug

Castle Giant & Big Lonely Doug – The Tree Projects Documentary Shoot

Ancient Forest Alliance Photographer TJ Watt has been working with photographer Steve Pearce and canopy ecologist Jen Sanger of Tasmania’s The Tree Projects. The amazing duo has been capturing portraits of giant trees, including the Castle Giant in the Walbran Valley and Big Lonely Doug near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory, as part of a new documentary film.

Steve Pearce, Jen Sanger, TJ Watt, Joseph Nizeti stand at the base of Big Lonely Doug.

Steve Pearce & Jen Sanger (The Tree Projects), Joseph Nizeti (Film director), and TJ Watt (AFA) stand at the base of Big Lonely Doug.

Steve has perfected a unique method of photographing giant trees around the world. It starts with establishing a suspended rope system that runs parallel to the tree trunk from the ground to near the top. From there, he raises and lowers his camera, capturing a series of high-resolution images later stitched together to create one final Tree Portrait. Often, people are placed at varying heights of the tree to provide a sense of scale. The result is stunning images that highlight the immense size, beauty, and grandeur of some of the world’s largest and oldest living trees, helping to raise awareness of the need to protect them and the forests they’re found within. See examples of their Tree Portraits.

Steave Pearce of The Tree Projects ready to hoist his camera

Steve ready to hoist his camera

The first location the crew filmed at was the famed Castle Giant in the unprotected Central Walbran Valley. At more than 16 ft (nearly 5 m) wide near its base with a massive candelabra-like canopy containing roughly two dozen spires, the Castle Giant is like a living fortress. It grows within the Castle Grove, perhaps the grandest remaining unprotected old-growth redcedar stand in Canada.

The Castle Giant tree in the Walbran Valley on Vancouver Island, BC

To create his unique Tree Portrait, Steve needed a subject tree with a clear view from the bottom to the top – a challenging thing to find in the dense rainforest! The Castle Giant, however, was the perfect fit. With some ninja-level climbing and rope work, the team got the system in place.

Instead of using a drone to capture photos, which is more susceptible to wind, rain and mist, Steve uses a cable and gimbal system with a high-resolution camera attached for better images and control. The professional climbers also use techniques that allow them to ascend the ropes themselves rather than the tree. No spurs are needed, and the few ropes that are used are removed after the climb, leaving the tree as it was. This blending of art and science is an amazing way to highlight a hidden world that humans rarely ever get to glimpse, with the ultimate goal of inspiring people to learn about and help protect endangered old-growth forests.

 

The push to protect the Walbran Valley, located two hours west of Lake Cowichan in Pacheedaht territory, has been ongoing for over three decades. Thankfully, the core of the Central Walbran Valley is currently under temporary logging deferral, providing time to help secure a long-term conservation solution for this spectacular place. Hopefully, the forthcoming film and Tree Portrait add a unique and powerful voice to these long-standing efforts.

The next location shoot was Big Lonely Doug, Canada’s second-largest Douglas-fir tree, which grows in the Gordon River Valley near Port Renfrew. Doug stands 66 m or 216 ft tall, is nearly 4 m or 13 ft wide near the base, and is likely around a thousand years old.

The sheer size of this tree always blows us away. You truly feel like an ant on a log when you’re beside it. For this Tree Portrait, TJ was positioned as a tiny person on the branch for scale. Best to not have a fear of heights when looking down from here!

A tree climber stands on the limb of Big Lonely Doug

TJ looking over a hundred feet down from a giant limb of Big Lonely Doug.

 

Despite dealing with windy weather, washed-out roads, and heaps of rain, the gentle fog that Steve needed for the perfect shot arrived and the project was ultimately a success. A huge thanks goes to climbers Ryan Senechal, Ryan Murphy, and Matthew Beatty for their expert planning, climbing, and rigging work.

Hats off  to the amazing film crew as well: Joseph Nizeti, Rob Innes, Fraser Johnston, Momme Halbe, Dan Batchelor, and Matt Maddaloni. It was impressive to see you pull this shoot together under challenging conditions.

We’ll be sure to share a link to the documentary film and the final Tree Portraits once they’re released!

Update: Canada Post Strike

📩 An important update regarding the Canada Post strike as of Friday, November 15th!

Due to the strike, we cannot ship any merchandise orders through Canada Post. If you are in Victoria, in-person pick-up is available at our office at #205 – 620 View Street between 10am and 4pm, Monday through Thursday. No appointment is necessary. Alternatively, FedEx is offered as our next cost-effective shipping option if you wish to receive your orders on time.

If neither of the above shipping options works for you and you would still like to support our work this holiday season with gift giving, please consider donating toward one of our Adopt-a-Tree or Adopt-a-Grove e-certificates that can be emailed directly to your family or friends.

Otherwise, you can donate here to help protect the at-risk old-growth forests of British Columbia!

Ancient Forest Alliance is a registered charity supported by donations from our community and through our merchandise sales, with all proceeds supporting our ever-important work protecting endangered old-growth forests in BC.

We appreciate your support, and thank you for standing with us!

—The Ancient Forest Alliance team