The AFA's TJ Watt and forest ecologist Andy MacKinnon joined the BC KAIROS Rolling Justice Bus at Avatar Grove on day one of a four day tour to explore Vancouver Island's most spectacular ancient forests!
For the second time this month, volunteers have worked with the Ancient Forest Alliance to construct boardwalk at the Avatar Grove. This round was a huge success! Together we completed 50+ feet of new walkways over many of the areas that flood in winter time and added a beautiful staircase leading off the road to our new viewing platform in the Lower Grove. Volunteers also worked hard to add mesh traction to the many steps, cut and carried over 100 planks of wood into the bush, mixed cement and moved heavy rocks, and did it all with a great attitude and smiles. Thank you all so much!! We're making tremendous progress thanks to the help of the many dedicated individuals who've come out and the donations made by AFA supporters and local businesses. We're working to finish the boardwalk this summer, hopefully after 1 or 2 more work parties. The boardwalk is necessary to help protect the area's ecological integrity and improve visitor access and safety. Stay tuned for further info if you'd like to help out, contact boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt: [email protected] Trail building or construction experience is an asset (we can use more of you!) but not required. See the photo album at: https://www.facebook.com/ancientforestalliance/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1061996910561562 To donate to the boardwalk construction, please visit: https://ancientforestalliance.org/avatar-grove-boardwalk-now-completed-and-open/
Over the May long weekend, a group of core boardwalk volunteers got together to complete a beautiful new entrance to the Lower Avatar Grove. This included a 10ft wide viewing platform with an incredible view overlooking the old-growth forest as well as a safe and long-lasting set of stairs leading off the road. Support the Ancient Forest Alliance boardwalk as we close in on the home stretch this summer!
A big show of gratitude and thanks to the over 20 volunteers who came out to build boardwalk at Avatar Grove last weekend and to the many of you who have donated towards this project so far! We made significant progress in the lower grove, constructing close to 80ft (25 m) of new boardwalk and bridges over the area prone to flooding. These vital improvements come just in time before the heavy winter rains begin. There’s still a few key sets of stairs and bridges to get built but we’re making great headway on what has become one of the island’s most popular hiking trails!
Over the September long weekend, AFA’s TJ Watt and a small group of dedicated volunteers worked hard to construct a crucial new section of the boardwalk at Avatar Grove. n the Upper Grove, the steep slope leading down to the creek had become quite rough and slippery, so to help protect the tree roots and make it safer for everyone visiting, the group built two new platforms and sets of stairs leading down the hill. They also installed a beautiful new bench by the Gnarly Tree!
The Ancient Forest Alliance has nearly completed the preliminary phase of boardwalk construction at the Avatar Grove in essential areas such as the steep and slippery slopes, the roots around the biggest trees, and over creeks and other obstacles. More upgrades can still be done in the future but the toughest parts are almost compete. A big thanks goes out to our volunteers and donors! Fundraising for the boardwalk project will continue as we still have more work to complete in the new year.
The Ancient Forest Alliance and teams of dedicated volunteers have made some signigicant progress on the construction of the boardwalk at Avatar Grove this summer.
See GREAT PHOTOS of the initial phase of the boardwalk's construction. It has begun! Over the May Long Weekend, construction began on the initial phase of the Avatar Grove Boardwalk! As thousands of visitors continue to flock to see the Avatar Grove, the boardwalk is needed to protect its ecological integrity, ensure visitor safety, and help promote eco-tourism for the Pacheedaht First Nations and the town of Port Renfrew to see the economic benefits of keeping one of the last old-growth forests in their region standing.
The Avatar Grove and “Canada’s Gnarliest Tree” were identified by Ancient Forest Alliance activists in December 2009. This magnificent forest, within the traditional territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation, is located near Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and was declared off-limits to logging through a new Old-Growth Management Area in February 2012. This […]
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