Ancient Forest Alliance

Facebook game lets you solve anagrams to save Canada’s forests

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True to its name, in order to play Donate2Play Media’s first new game, Wordraiser, you’re going to have to pony up some change. Wordraiser is an anagram game that has players make as many words as possible out of one word.
If you manage to guess the key word, you get to level up. After leveling up a few times, you’ll be asked to buy “Karma Points” that enable you to play more games.

Donation packages range from $1 to $20 USD, where $1 USD equals 10 Karma Points, which is good for buying one game. But right now, it seems that there’s nothing stopping you from playing as much as you want. We’re not sure if this is a bug, as the game just launched during the previous weekend.

While Wordraiser is supposedly free-to-play, it’s also the offspring of Donate2Play’s partnership with The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA), a Canadian grassroots organization devoted to finding the balance between forestry jobs and preserving British Columbia’s ancient woodlands (defined as tree populations that are over 120 years old). So half of the money given to Wordraiser will be split between AFA and Donate2Play.

Lastly, there’s a top ten high scores leaderboard that displays players’ names followed by their levels, and two of AFA’s founders, TJ Watts and Ken Wu, are currently on the board in ninth and third place, respectively. According to its Facebook page, Wordraiser currently has 202 monthly users.

Keep in mind, though, that Donate2Play is doing all the heavy lifting here, with no risk or prior investment from AFA. Outreach for the game is done via automatic Facebook wall posts. Players will also receive facts about British Columbian forests during load screens and photos of these forests by TJ Watt.

Ban Raw Log Exports March and Rally

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Stop the Export of Our Future, Our Jobs
Sponsored by the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada, supported by the Ancient Forest Alliance.

Ken Wu of the Ancient Forest Alliance will be among the speakers.

Date:  Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Time: 12:30
Location: PPWC Union Hall, 596 Albert Street, Nanaimo
Contact: 250-753-8721

For the winning group

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT! The AFA NEEDS YOUR VOTES in the Phillips Benefit Brew contest!

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Local Victoria, BC, company Phillips Brewery is hosting their Annual Benefit Brew charity contest and the Ancient Forest Alliance needs YOUR votes to win!

This has the potential to raise the AFA nearly $10,000 in proceeds!

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE! https://phillipsbeer.com/benefitbrew

Remember to KEEP VOTING EACH DAY until the Sept.23rd deadline!

Most importantly, be sure to SHARE the above link with FRIENDS and FAMILY through Facebook, Twitter, and Email.

For the winning group, Phillips will design and produce a short-run specially-crafted beer complete with a custom label (imagine a Gnarly Tree beer!). The campaign is aimed at both raising awareness, and providing financial support by donating the full proceeds of the benefit brew to the chosen cause.

MP Keith Martin stands in front of "Canada's Gnarliest Tree" in the endangered Upper Avatar Grove.

On National Tree Day the Ancient Forest Alliance calls for a “Provincial Heritage Trees Designation” to Protect Canada’s Largest and Oldest Trees

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Today, September 21 has been declared “National Tree Day” in Canada and the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) is calling on the British Columbian government to establish a Provincial Heritage Trees and Heritage Groves designation. Such a designation would protect the largest, oldest, and most unique trees of each species, as well as the most magnificent monumental stands of old-growth trees in the province.

*TODAY from 11:00-11:30 am media are invited to join Ancient Forest Alliance cofounders Ken Wu and TJ Watt at the largest Douglas-fir tree (3 meters or 10 feet wide in trunk diameter) in Greater Victoria in Francis King Regional Park’s Heritage Grove for a brief press conference and tour. Please meet in the parking lot by the park’s nature centre off of Munn Rd. Click here for Google Map.

“British Columbia is world renowned for having Canada’s largest trees and some of the most magnificent forests on Earth – how many jurisdictions still have trees with trunks as wide as living rooms and that tower as tall as downtown skyscrapers? What better way to celebrate the trees of Canada than to protect Canada’s largest trees, here on Vancouver Island?” stated Ancient Forest Alliance campaigner and photographer TJ Watt. “Just as we have laws to protect 100 year old heritage buildings, we need laws to protect 1,000 year old heritage trees and groves.”

See images of Canada’s largest trees on the Ancient Forest Alliance’s online photo galleries (Media are free to reprint any photos. Credit TJ Watt if possible.)

The province keeps a list of the 10 largest trees of each species through the Big Tree Registry but the list does not confer any legal protection for the trees, and many are unprotected.

Former BC Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell mentioned in February 2011 that the province would look into creating a new legal tool to protect BC’s largest trees and monumental groves but the BC government has since not mentioned of any progress on this initiative.

Several BC municipalities such as Victoria and Oak Bay already have tree protection bylaws that prohibit the cutting of large trees over a certain trunk diameter, as well as the cutting of rare native species like Garry oak and Arbutus trees without a special permit.

“Not only do we need to protect our largest trees and monumental groves, most importantly the BC Liberal government must protect our endangered old-growth ecosystems on a much larger scale through a Provincial Old-Growth Strategy to sustain our biodiversity, climate, wild salmon, and tourism industry,” stated AFA co-founder Ken Wu. “Most of the world is logging second, third, and fourth growth forests now, and the BC government must ensure the same here instead of facilitating the collapse of our last old-growth ecosystems.”

Already 75% of Vancouver Island’s original, productive old-growth forests have been logged, including 90% of the valley bottoms where the biggest trees grow and richest biodiversity is found. For satellite maps visit: https://16.52.162.165/ancient-forests/before-after-old-growth-maps/

Earthdance Vancouver 2011 – Celebrating the Forests!

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Date: Saturday, September 24th, 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Prospect Point Picnic Area – Stanley Park
Cost: By Donation (50% of proceeds will be donated to the Ancient Forest Alliance!)

If you’re in Vancouver, like to dance, and love our endangered ancient forests, then be sure to come out to family friendly Earthdance! Forest themed costumes are encouraged!

See Facebook event page for details:

https://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=9c14e4e6c6ca26a375853cf54842b303&#!/event.php?eid=270052779688571

Visit the website: 

https://earthdance.ca/

Local band Quioa new album Wildside to support ancient trees

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Local band Quoia is about to release an album titled Wildside with 10% of the proceeds to be donated to Ancient Forest Alliance.

Quoia is a band known for their high-energy liveshow and uplifting grooves. The new album Wildside release is October 8th in Victoria at Canoe Brewpub, October 15th in Tofino at the Tofino Legion and Nov. 4th in Vancouver at The Media Club with more dates to follow. A performer at the Tall Tree Festival 2011 in Port Renfrew, Quoia’s Wildside album cover features a spectacular painting of Port San Juan

Don’t miss this event of Quoia’s genre-hopping sounds that will have you dancing and singing along. Follow along on facebook and Quoia’s website:

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=250737271631693

https://quoiaband.com

Canada's Gnarliest Tree in Avatar Grove

Port Renfrew: Gateway to the West Coast Trail

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Here we are at the beginning of the famous West Coast Hiking trail; home to some of the best salmon and halibut fishing in British Columbia. A few hours earlier we had arrived at our destination, the Wild Coast Cottages in Port Renfrew. One of our neighbours quipped that these quaint wooden cabins are dubbed by other guests as ‘the Yuppy way of camping.’

Indeed, the fully equipped cabins with wrap-around deck, which are about the size of a hotel suite, are the only way I like to camp!The Wild Coast Cottages, which are located in prime fishing grounds and boasts the only deep water moorage available in Port Renfrew, is our home while we explore this community of 250 year-round residents. Imagine Tofino two decades ago and you might be able to picture Port Renfrew. It retains its rugged, natural beauty with its roaring surf along the Strait of Juan de Fuca … a perfect, and may I say, spectacular landscape for hiking, fishing, strolling the beach and unwinding!

After settling into our cabin, we meet up with our hiking guide TJ Watt, the passionate founder of Ancient Forest Alliance. We head out on a rough, windy road to Avatar Grove, home to ‘Canada’s Gnarliest Tree’. What a treat to stand beside a 150-foot tall cedar tree that dwarfs anyone and everything around it.

After our hike, we head to the eclectic Coastal Kitchen Cafe. It was highly recommended by TJ, locals and many of the other hikers we met along the way. The place was packed and buzzing with activity. The seafood is local, portions huge, and it’s a great spot to people watch. My partner Dennis and I would venture to say our meals were as good as anything we’ve had in Vancouver. We shared a carrot ginger soup and a side of prawns. Afterwards, I went for the salmon dill quesidillas while Dennis chose the halibut.

As darkness approached, we set out for a stroll along the nearby beach, gathering driftwood for an evening fire. Picture this scene: A nice bottle of red wine, a good read, a cozy fire and a sky filled with stars. It doesn’t get much better than this!

The next morning, bright and early Dennis quietly leaves me sleeping soundly while he meets up with Karl Ablack. The evening before, Karl had offered him a golden opportunity to go fishing with him. The only catch? A 5:30 am start.

At 5:30 a.m., the two set out to fish off of what the locals call East Point. The real name is San Juan Point, located off of Hammond Rocks. They troll out to 500 feet of water and drift west across Owen Point and set the down riggers. Across the straight of Juan de Fuca, Dennis tells me he could see the outline of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. Within an hour they hook into two wild coho salmon, which they release. The next two bites were pink salmon that end up on our dinner table that evening. Karl tells Dennis that he often spots whales, sea lions and sea otters while plying the fishing grounds. It’s also not uncommon to spot a black bear or Roosavelt elk around the delta of the San Juan River.

Meanwhile I had met up with Rosie for a hike to Botany Bay. What a treat. We went down a trail constructed by the youth of the Pacheedaht and the T’Souke First Nations. It winds through the rich tidal pools and a shoreline filled with life … a natural jewel in the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.

I feel in love with the simplicity and solitude of this magnificent place … Port Renfrew is worth the trip.

A Few Facts: 

Port Renfrew is located on the southern end of the West Coast Trail, a world famous hiking trail built in 1907 along the West Coast of Vancouver Island to save shipwrecked sailors. During the days of sail, from 1830 to 1925, 137 major shipping tragedies occurred in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the Straits of Juan de Fuca. International recognition was given to the waters off Port Renfrew when it became known as ‘The Graveyard of The Pacific’.

Originally named Port San Juan, the settlers changed the name to honour Lord Renfrew who planned to settle crofters here.

In 2011, Port Renfrew came in 5th place in the World Fishing Network “Ultimate Fishing Town” competition.

Local population:

250 residents. Population expands ten-fold in the summer months with hikers, fishers, and campers.
Amazing natural spots: Avatar Grove, home of the Gnarliest Tree, and Botanical Beach are two of the most famous locations.
Trailhead of both the West Coast Trail and the Juan de Fuca Trail.

More Information:

Wild Coast Cottages: www.wildcoastcottages.com 

Coastal Kitchen Cafe: 1-250-647-5545

Ancient Forest Alliance: www.ancientforestalliance.org

 

A hiker walks through the giant trees of the Lower Avatar Grove.

Public HIKE to the AVATAR GROVE – Sunday, Sept. 25th

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Summer is not over yet! There is still a chance to visit the Avatar Grove’s giant gnarly trees with the AFA’s Ken Wu and TJ Watt before the wet weather hits the west coast again!
 
Schedule:
 
1. Meet in Port Renfrew at the Tourist Info Centre at 1:30 pm (The Info Centre is on the right-hand side of the road beside the Real Goods Market about 1km into town) ***When you arrive PLEASE watch to see where parking is being directed to a gravel overflow parking area on the opposite side of the road as there will be many people participating in this trip and we need to leave spaces open for the local businesses. Thank you!
2. Leave the Info Centre head to the Avatar Grove in a convoy
3. Hike the Avatar Grove and finish by 4:00 pm
 
IMPORTANT – MUST READ!  

***THIS IS A WILDERNESS AREA
Only those comfortable with hiking on rugged terrain with fallen
logs, steep slopes, and no official trail, and with a firm sense of
balance, can come on the hike. All participants will be required to
sign a waiver form.
 
*No dogs. They can disturb wildlife including bears, elk, deer,
cougars, wolves, raccoons, and Sasquatch in the area.
 
*Participants must bring their own snacks, water, proper clothing and footwear for all weather conditions, medical requirements, and wonderful attitude!
 
*Be sure to support the local community by buying food and other items in the Tourist Information Centre, Coastal Kitchen Cafe, Real Goods Market, Port Renfrew General Store, the Munch Box, and more! Gas and Diesel is available until 6pm at the Port Renfrew Marina.
 
*Directions and a Google map to the Avatar Grove from Port Renfrew can
be found at: https://16.52.162.165/ancient-forests/directions-to-avatar-grove/
 
Please let us know if you’re coming and how many people you’ll be bringing,
so we can get a sense of our numbers. You can email us at: info@16.52.162.165   

Ancient Forest Alliance

VOTE for the ANCIENT FOREST ALLIANCE in the Phillips Benefit Brew contest!

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VOTE for the ANCIENT FOREST ALLIANCE to receive up to $10,000 from local Victoria beer company Phillips Beer. $10,000 would be a HUGE sum for us – worth about 25% of our entire funding so far this year!

https://phillipsbeer.com/benefitbrew

Nigel Jackett (left) and Jaime Hall are hoping to catalogue as many as 400 bird species as they cycle across Canada

’Til the Last Tree duo going the extra mile for B.C.’s old growth forest

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While most cross-Canada cyclists are wrapping up their journeys right about now, the curious duo of a musician and a wildlife biologist find themselves smack in the centre of the country, shivering in an uncharacteristically chilly early September evening.

If simple distance were the aim of Nigel Jackett and Jaime Hall, the 8,000 kilometres they’ve already travelled since April would have already have delivered them to the coast of British Columbia. On a mission to sight as many bird species as possible in their travels as way to raise money and awareness for The Ancient Forest Alliance, they expect to travel 11,000 kilometres before they’re finished.

Jackett, a wildlife biologist from Western Australia and his partner Hall, originally from B.C. are young, fit and passionate advocates of preserving B.C.’s remaining old growth rainforest habitat and advocating for sustainable logging practices in those areas.

“We’re the first people to ever ride across Canada bird-watching,” said Jackett. “Most people are finished in three months or less. We’ve already been going for four months.”

“You have to get into all sorts of habitat in order to get your bird list,” adds Hall.

So far the list consists of 239 species, the most recent of which, a black-billed magpie, was spotted near Wabigoon. They say they hope to reach 400 species before finishing their journey.

“We still can if we get to B.C. before a lot of the birds that summer over there head south in the fall migration,” said Jackett. “Manitoba holds a lot of different birds, so it’s conceivable that we can get to 400.”

While in northern Ontario, Jackett says they are ever on the lookout for a Great Grey Owl and the American Three-Toed Woodpecker.

A singer-songwriter, music has been helpful in helping Hall communicate their mission to others.

“We did a living room concert in Thunder Bay, which was really cool,” said Hall. “We got to talk to people about what we’re doing. They played a bit of one of my tunes on CBC (radio). There’s sprinklings of it here and there, but my music is definitely not the focus of the ride.”

Hall has put some of her songs on the duo’s website, offering downloads for donations.

Check out Nigell Jackett and Jaime Hall’s website, or donate to their cause at www.tilthelasttree.com.

Link to original article: https://thedrydenobserver.ca/2011/09/7308/