Old growth cedar is pictured in Avatar Grove on Vancouver Island. (Chris Corday/CBC)
Self-published report concludes most old growth areas counted by province are small alpine or boggy forests
A team of independent researchers claim in a new report that the province’s accounting of old growth trees is vastly larger than the actual number of trees most people would consider old growth, namely coniferous giants.
“They don’t distinguish between all the different types of old growth,” said Rachel Holt, co-author and registered professional biologist.
The B.C. government reports that of the province’s 57.2 million hectares of forest, 23 per cent is old growth or 13.2 million hectares.
“Only about one per cent of that total forest is old growth in the way that you or I, or pretty much anybody would think of as being old forest,” said Holt.
The precise number in Holt’s report is 400,000 hectares, or 0.8 per cent of the forested area in B.C.
“We don’t get a second chance at maintaining these, and there is really such a tiny proportion that remains,” she said.
At risk of logging
The report warns that, in addition to the issue of overestimating old growth forest, many of the large stands of trees that would be considered old growth are at risk of being logged — as much as 75 per cent.
“We know that if it’s not protected, then the plan is to log it, that’s why we can do that math,” Holt said of the system of forest management used in the province.
An aerial photograph of the Nahmint Valley outside Port Alberni, B.C., shows protected old growth groves along the water and replanted hillsides that were previously logged. ((Chris Corday/CBC))
She said the main problem appears to be management of old growth areas.
“Lack of reporting and poor implementation of policy has left us with a big gap, and we’re just not doing a good job of protecting these, the legacy forest,” she said. “They’re not coming back.”
Holt says she and co-authors Karen Price and Dave Daust have years of experience working for the B.C. government on forestry issues.
They used publicly available data and sifted through it to compile what they believe is a more accurate picture of the remaining old growth forest.
Holt said they plan to submit their work to a scientific journal, but felt there was urgency behind making it public as soon as possible.
“I’m very concerned about the ongoing, kind of whittling down, the dwindling numbers of those stands,” said Holt.
Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, said he wasn’t surprised to see the numbers presented in the new report — a draft was submitted to the independent Old Growth Strategic Review Panel that was launched in July 2019.
“That is exactly one of the reasons we commissioned … the panel,” Donaldson said of the debate over old growth forests in the province. “We’re taking this issue very seriously.”
“I respect the authors of the report,” he said, adding that the panel has received about 400 published papers and reports, as well as paying visits to 45 communities.
Donaldson said the panel has wrapped up its work and the findings will now be shared with First Nations for government-to-government discussions before the panel’s work is circulated to other groups and the public.
“We want to make sure that [old growth] is being managed properly, and we recognize the importance old forests have for biodiversity in the province,” he said. “We also recognize the importance that it provides for communities and workers who depend on harvesting.”
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Screen-Shot-2020-06-05-at-2.47.55-PM.png410715TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2020-06-04 21:46:062024-07-30 17:01:26B.C. vastly overestimates size of its old-growth forest, independent researchers say
Government touts 13 million hectares of province’s forests are old growth, but ecologists found only 35,000 hectares support the largest trees
The Narwhal June 4th, 2020
The majority of British Columbia’s productive old-growth forests are gone, and the majority of the old growth remaining is slated to be logged, says an independent study released Thursday by B.C. ecologists who previously worked for the provincial government.
The findings of the report shed new light on provincial claims that, despite intensive logging, B.C. is still home to significant amounts of old growth.
According to the B.C. government, 23 per cent of forest in the province is old growth, about 13 million hectares.
Yet the new study found only three per cent of B.C. is capable of supporting large trees and within that small portion of the province, the ecologists found only 2.7 per cent of the trees are actually old as “old forests on these sites have dwindled considerably due to intense harvest.”
The research found most of the area the province considers old growth can’t support big trees, which store high amounts of carbon, support biodiversity and make forests resilient to wildfires. Instead, most of it is low-productivity forest, such as small trees at high elevations.
The study concludes there are only about 35,000 hectares of forest with the largest, most productive old-growth trees remaining in B.C., meaning areas where trees are expected to grow over 25 metres tall in 50 years.
A total of 415,000 hectares of forest contain trees that are expected to grow over 20 metres tall in 50 years.
Provincial framing of old-growth data ‘very misleading’
The province regularly publishes total old-growth data. But when the researchers analyzed that data according to ecosystem type, they found it painted a very different picture than what they were seeing in government disclosures.
“There’s very, very little of the stuff that you and I and everybody think of when they think of old growth,” said Holt. She called the government’s framing of the data “very misleading.”
Karen Price, lead author of the study, said, because government policy doesn’t differentiate between productive and non-productive old-growth forests, companies can harvest big trees and leave small, unproductive trees and still meet their old-growth retention targets.
The researchers — Price, Holt and Dave Daust — are calling on the province to implement an immediate moratorium on harvesting old and mature forest in ecosystems with less than 10 per cent of old forest remaining, even if they fall within existing cutblock permits. They are also asking the government to increase old-growth retention targets and improve old-growth management areas to “include larger areas rather than fragmented patches.”
In an emailed response, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development said it could not comment on the researchers’ findings until it reviews a report from the old-growth strategic review panel, which was submitted in May.
In January two members of the government-appointed old-growth review panel told The Narwhal they found a surprising level of consensus among British Columbians when it comes to the importance of protecting the province’s intact ancient forests.
Scientists break silence, push for more transparent data
Holt, Price and Daust have all worked with the province before. Price said she was tired of doing reports on climate change for the government and never seeing the recommendations made public. She wants to increase awareness around old growth.
“I’m tired of speaking carefully,” she said.
The researchers presented their report to the old-growth strategic review panel in March. The province appointed the independent panel to engage with the public on old growth and report back with recommendations to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
The panel began public engagement in 2019 and submitted its report in early May. But, to the dismay of Holt and Price, the province may not make the report public for six months.
“The government needs to review the [old-growth strategic review panel’s report] thoroughly before commenting on it or speculating on how the report’s findings may affect British Columbia’s old growth strategy,” a ministry spokesperson said via email.
Price said she wants to see more government transparency, which is part of the reason they are publishing their findings now.
“This is the time to be brave,” she said. “If we want to have resilient human populations, we need to have resilient ecosystems. And right now, our policy is trashing resilience.”
Forest ecologist Michelle Connolly surveys old-growth cedars in B.C.’s unique inland rainforest to estimate the amount of carbon the area holds. It is unusual for a rainforest like this to be scattered in moist valley bottoms stretching from the Cariboo Mountains east of Prince George to the Rocky Mountains close to the Alberta border. Much of the area, despite being important caribou habitat, is slated for clearcut logging. Photo: Taylor Roades / The Narwhal
Old forests are ‘irreplaceable’
Holt said old-growth forests are integral to adapting to climate change and maintaining biodiversity.
Large old-growth trees sequester and store carbon, acting as carbon sinks. But carbon is released when old-growth trees are cut down and left to rot or burned in slash piles.
But old-growth forests are also valuable timber. BC Timber Sales generated $221 million net revenue in the 2018-19 fiscal year despite financial losses due to intense wildfires in 2018. According to Sierra Club BC, old growth is cut down across the province at the rate of more than 500 soccer fields per day.
Jim Pojar, a seasoned ecologist who used to work for the province, said new forests are unlikely to grow back in the same way due to the impacts of climate change.
He said it takes at least 250 years for “true old growth” to develop, but the climate will have changed so drastically in 200 years that forests will “inevitably” be made up of different plant species and soils.
“The answer is not simple, but pretending that the problem doesn’t exist is not the answer.”
“It will not return to the primary condition, even given several centuries,” Pojar told The Narwhal.
“I consider these really big, productive old-growth forests to be an irreplaceable, essentially non-renewable resource.”
Pojar said experts have known for a long time that the province’s data doesn’t reflect the extent of logging productive trees, but this recent report shows in new detail just how little old-growth forest is left.
“It alarms me, but it doesn’t surprise me,” he said.
Pojar said overlogging is largely rooted in industry deregulation under Gordon Campbell’s Liberal government, which was in power from 2001 to 2011, and other threats to forests include the mountain pine beetle and increasing wildfires. He said the current NDP government has not taken substantive measures to transition the industry to more sustainable practices. Instead, he said, the administration has left things unchanged because it is “desperate for ways to keep people working.”
Holt agrees the government is torn between the “short-term” need for jobs and “long-term” environmental sustainability but said chasing a limited amount of old growth doesn’t support either goal.
“The answer is not simple, but pretending that the problem doesn’t exist is not the answer,” said Holt. “We do not have a sustainable industry from a jobs or an environment perspective.”
Update June 4, 2020 at 5:35 p.m. PST: A previous version of this story described a study as saying that only 35,000 hectares of forest with large old-growth trees are remaining in B.C. In fact, the study concluded that there are 415,000 hectares of forest that are home to large trees, but only 35,000 hectares with the largest, most productive old-growth trees.
Government touts 13 million hectares of province’s forests are old growth, but ecologists found only 35,000 hectares support the largest trees
The Narwhal June 4th, 2020
The majority of British Columbia’s productive old-growth forests are gone, and the majority of the old growth remaining is slated to be logged, says an independent study released Thursday by B.C. ecologists who previously worked for the provincial government.
The findings of the report shed new light on provincial claims that, despite intensive logging, B.C. is still home to significant amounts of old growth.
According to the B.C. government, 23 per cent of forest in the province is old growth, about 13 million hectares.
Yet the new study found only three per cent of B.C. is capable of supporting large trees and within that small portion of the province, the ecologists found only 2.7 per cent of the trees are actually old as “old forests on these sites have dwindled considerably due to intense harvest.”
The research found most of the area the province considers old growth can’t support big trees, which store high amounts of carbon, support biodiversity and make forests resilient to wildfires. Instead, most of it is low-productivity forest, such as small trees at high elevations.
The study concludes there are only about 35,000 hectares of forest with the largest, most productive old-growth trees remaining in B.C., meaning areas where trees are expected to grow over 25 metres tall in 50 years.
A total of 415,000 hectares of forest contain trees that are expected to grow over 20 metres tall in 50 years.
Provincial framing of old-growth data ‘very misleading’
The province regularly publishes total old-growth data. But when the researchers analyzed that data according to ecosystem type, they found it painted a very different picture than what they were seeing in government disclosures.
“There’s very, very little of the stuff that you and I and everybody think of when they think of old growth,” said Holt. She called the government’s framing of the data “very misleading.”
Karen Price, lead author of the study, said, because government policy doesn’t differentiate between productive and non-productive old-growth forests, companies can harvest big trees and leave small, unproductive trees and still meet their old-growth retention targets.
The researchers — Price, Holt and Dave Daust — are calling on the province to implement an immediate moratorium on harvesting old and mature forest in ecosystems with less than 10 per cent of old forest remaining, even if they fall within existing cutblock permits. They are also asking the government to increase old-growth retention targets and improve old-growth management areas to “include larger areas rather than fragmented patches.”
In an emailed response, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development said it could not comment on the researchers’ findings until it reviews a report from the old-growth strategic review panel, which was submitted in May.
In January two members of the government-appointed old-growth review panel told The Narwhal they found a surprising level of consensus among British Columbians when it comes to the importance of protecting the province’s intact ancient forests.
Scientists break silence, push for more transparent data
Holt, Price and Daust have all worked with the province before. Price said she was tired of doing reports on climate change for the government and never seeing the recommendations made public. She wants to increase awareness around old growth.
“I’m tired of speaking carefully,” she said.
The researchers presented their report to the old-growth strategic review panel in March. The province appointed the independent panel to engage with the public on old growth and report back with recommendations to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
The panel began public engagement in 2019 and submitted its report in early May. But, to the dismay of Holt and Price, the province may not make the report public for six months.
“The government needs to review the [old-growth strategic review panel’s report] thoroughly before commenting on it or speculating on how the report’s findings may affect British Columbia’s old growth strategy,” a ministry spokesperson said via email.
Price said she wants to see more government transparency, which is part of the reason they are publishing their findings now.
“This is the time to be brave,” she said. “If we want to have resilient human populations, we need to have resilient ecosystems. And right now, our policy is trashing resilience.”
Forest ecologist Michelle Connolly surveys old-growth cedars in B.C.’s unique inland rainforest to estimate the amount of carbon the area holds. It is unusual for a rainforest like this to be scattered in moist valley bottoms stretching from the Cariboo Mountains east of Prince George to the Rocky Mountains close to the Alberta border. Much of the area, despite being important caribou habitat, is slated for clearcut logging. Photo: Taylor Roades / The Narwhal
Old forests are ‘irreplaceable’
Holt said old-growth forests are integral to adapting to climate change and maintaining biodiversity.
Large old-growth trees sequester and store carbon, acting as carbon sinks. But carbon is released when old-growth trees are cut down and left to rot or burned in slash piles.
But old-growth forests are also valuable timber. BC Timber Sales generated $221 million net revenue in the 2018-19 fiscal year despite financial losses due to intense wildfires in 2018. According to Sierra Club BC, old growth is cut down across the province at the rate of more than 500 soccer fields per day.
Jim Pojar, a seasoned ecologist who used to work for the province, said new forests are unlikely to grow back in the same way due to the impacts of climate change.
He said it takes at least 250 years for “true old growth” to develop, but the climate will have changed so drastically in 200 years that forests will “inevitably” be made up of different plant species and soils.
“The answer is not simple, but pretending that the problem doesn’t exist is not the answer.”
“It will not return to the primary condition, even given several centuries,” Pojar told The Narwhal.
“I consider these really big, productive old-growth forests to be an irreplaceable, essentially non-renewable resource.”
Pojar said experts have known for a long time that the province’s data doesn’t reflect the extent of logging productive trees, but this recent report shows in new detail just how little old-growth forest is left.
“It alarms me, but it doesn’t surprise me,” he said.
Pojar said overlogging is largely rooted in industry deregulation under Gordon Campbell’s Liberal government, which was in power from 2001 to 2011, and other threats to forests include the mountain pine beetle and increasing wildfires. He said the current NDP government has not taken substantive measures to transition the industry to more sustainable practices. Instead, he said, the administration has left things unchanged because it is “desperate for ways to keep people working.”
Holt agrees the government is torn between the “short-term” need for jobs and “long-term” environmental sustainability but said chasing a limited amount of old growth doesn’t support either goal.
“The answer is not simple, but pretending that the problem doesn’t exist is not the answer,” said Holt. “We do not have a sustainable industry from a jobs or an environment perspective.”
Update June 4, 2020 at 5:35 p.m. PST: A previous version of this story described a study as saying that only 35,000 hectares of forest with large old-growth trees are remaining in B.C. In fact, the study concluded that there are 415,000 hectares of forest that are home to large trees, but only 35,000 hectares with the largest, most productive old-growth trees.
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/nahmint-valley-port-alberni-huge-tree-logging.jpg10001500TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2020-06-04 21:33:502023-04-06 19:07:14B.C. old-growth data ‘misleading’ public on remaining ancient forest: independent report
Victoria, BC – Conservationists with the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) are renewing their calls for the BC government to immediately halt logging in endangered old-growth forest ecosystems and intact ‘hotspots’ in the wake of an alarming new report depicting the critical state of BC’s ancient temperate forests.
The report, entitled BC’s Old Growth Forest: A Last Stand for Biodiversity, was prepared by a group of independent scientists for the BC government’s Old Growth Strategic Review panel in order to counter the NDP government’s highly misleading claim that there are 13.2 million hectares of old-growth in BC, comprising about 23% of forested areas.
By analyzing provincial forestry data, the authors found the vast majority (80 percent) of BC’s remaining 13.2 million hectares of old-growth consists of small trees, including bog and subalpine forests, while only about 3 percent (about 400,000 hectares) are comprised of forests capable of growing the big trees that, in most people’s minds, typify old-growth forests. The research also reveals that these remaining, higher productivity forests have been reduced to such an extent from their natural amount that most now face high risks to biodiversity and ecological integrity, yet the majority of them are still slated for logging.
Haddon Creek – Vancouver Island. TFL 46 – Teal-Jones
In light of these significant findings, the researchers, Ancient Forest Alliance, and other conservation groups are calling on the BC provincial government to enact immediate logging moratoria in all endangered forest types with less than 10 percent old-growth remaining; all high productivity old and mature forests; landscape units (i.e. clusters of watersheds) with less than 10 percent old-growth remaining; very old, irreplaceable forests; and remaining intact areas or old-growth ‘hotspots’ and to develop a legislated, science-based plan for the permanent protection for all endangered ancient forests.
“This research echoes what we have been witnessing first-hand here on Vancouver Island and the southern mainland for many years: that high productivity old-growth forests are critically endangered and that the BC government’s old-growth protection levels are grossly inadequate,” stated Ancient Forest Alliance campaigner TJ Watt.
“It also contradicts the Province’s highly misleading PR spin that old-growth forests are plentiful, that sufficient amounts are protected, and that it’s therefore ‘sustainable’ to continue logging them.”
“The BC government’s old-growth accounting system is problematic for several reasons,” stated Watt. “They fail to distinguish dissimilar geographic regions (e.g. the Great Bear Rainforest vs. the South Coast); they lump all forest types and productivity levels together, meaning small, stunted old-growth trees and grouped in with ancient giants; they exclude vast areas of largely cut-over private lands; and they fail to account for how much old-growth forest has already been logged since European colonization. For example, on Vancouver Island, almost 80% of original productive old-growth forests have been logged, including well over 90% of the low elevation, high-productivity stands where the largest trees grow.”
“At best, the government’s stats are unhelpful. At worst, they’re a deliberate attempt to mislead British Columbians in order to justify the continued liquidation of remaining, endangered ancient forests.”
BC’s productive old-growth forests are highly complex ecosystems that have evolved over centuries and millennia. They are integral for ensuring the protection of endangered species, climate stability, tourism, clean water, wild salmon, and the cultures of many First Nations. They have unique characteristics that are not replicated by the second-growth forests they’re replaced with and are a non-renewable resource under BC’s forest system, where forests are logged every 50-80 years, never to become old-growth again.
“It’s well past time decision-makers faced the facts: old-growth forests are in crisis. Unless things change immediately, entire ecosystems and the species they support are at risk of being lost forever,” stated Ancient Forest Alliance campaigner Andrea Inness.
“The BC government must acknowledge and accept these research findings and make bold commitments to address the escalating ecological and climate crises we’re facing in BC by protecting endangered old-growth.”
“While the Province works to develop its proposed Old Growth Strategy, it must immediately halt logging in the rarest ancient forest ecosystems as well as old-growth ‘hotspots’ of particularly high conservation and recreational value like the Central Walbran Valley near Lake Cowichan, the Nahmint Valley near Port Alberni, and Nootka Island near Tahsis.”
“It’s then critical that the BC government use its Old Growth Strategy to develop and implement new, science-based protection targets for old-growth forests to protect biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and climate resiliency now and well into the future.”
“The BC government must also finance First Nations’ sustainable economic development as an alternative to old-growth logging and formally recognize and support Indigenous-led land use plans and protected areas to maintain the significant cultural values of ancient forests while supporting First Nations’ communities and wellbeing.”
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Edinburgh-2.jpg8001200TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2020-06-04 19:53:482024-10-10 11:42:31Conservationists demand immediate logging moratoria in light of new research detailing dire state of BC’s old-growth forests
The AFA is pleased to announce Celina Starnes has been appointed as the new Chair of the AFA Board of Directors.
After joining the board in 2019, Celina assumed the role of Chair in April, taking over from AFA co-founder and former executive director, Ken Wu, who will remain as a board member at large as he dedicates more time to his new organization, the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance.
With a life-long dedication to protecting diverse ecosystems, a passion for coaching and capacity building, and her experience as Special Events Coordinator at Metro Vancouver and previously as Public Education & Manager at the Stanley Park Ecology Society, Celina brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the board.
We’re hugely grateful to Celina for her dedication to protecting ancient forests and are looking forward to working with her in her new role as Chair!
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Profile-picture-SMALL-2.jpg278280TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2020-06-02 19:32:452023-04-06 19:07:14Announcing Celina Starnes as AFA’s New Board Chair
In March 2020, the AFA identified a spectacular grove ancient giants along Loup Creek near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory. This region was heavily logged in the 1970s and 80s, save for a strip of old-growth along the river. Most of the old-growth that remains today along Loup Creek is protected within an Old Growth Management Area and a Wildlife Habitat Area (WHA) for marbled murrelets. But a prime section containing dozens and dozens of ancient redcedars, giant amabalis fir, and Douglas-fir trees was left unprotected. We also spotted ribbons marked “Falling Boundary” and “Road Location”, indicating potential future logging plans by Teal-Jones.
The BC government is currently working to expand WHAs for marbled murrelets. We’ve recommended to the Ministry of Forests that this grove should be added to the adjacent WHA, ensuring a contiguous stretch of old-growth is protected along the river, but we don’t know whether they will listen.
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Loup-Creek-March-2020-80.jpg10001500TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2020-05-29 17:55:482024-07-15 17:11:06Photos: Loup Creek Grove – Port Renfrew
Government working on new strategy for old-growth forests
The Ancient Forest Alliance is calling for the protection of old-growth forests following the logging of some of Vancouver Island’s ancient forests along Haddon Creek in the Caycuse River watershed.
The call from the conservation group coincides with the deadline for a government-appointed panel to submit recommendations to the province following a six-month-long Old Growth Strategic Review.
AFA campaigner and photographer TJ Watt recently found scores of giant trees cut down in the Caycuse watershed, including red cedar trees more than 11 feet in diameter.
“This grove has an exceptionally large number of massive, ancient cedars,” Watt said.
“Without question, it’s one of the grandest forests on the south Island, rivalling the renowned Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew or the Walbran Valley, which lies a short distance to the south. In 2020, we shouldn’t be logging globally rare ancient forests such as these and converting them to ecologically inferior tree plantations.”
Located southwest of Cowichan Lake and east of Nitinat Lake in Ditidaht First Nation territory, the grove stands within a 33.5 hectare cut block in Tree Farm Licence 46 near Haddon Creek, where logging company Teal-Jones is actively working.
Combined with several other cutblocks nearby, a total of 71.5 hectares of old-growth forest has or is planned to be logged along Haddon Creek and one of its tributaries.
According to a press release from the AFA, the Caycuse watershed was once a prime example of ancient coastal rain forest, but has been heavily logged over the past several decades.
“There is an extreme sense of urgency because we’re rapidly losing the small percentage of ‘big-tree’ forests that remains unprotected on Vancouver Island,” Watt said.
“As the province assesses the old-growth panel’s findings and decides which recommendations it may or may not implement, trees upwards of 1,000 years old are being cut at alarming rates, never to be seen again. Forest Minister Doug Donaldson needs to act quickly and decisively to ensure their protection.”
In response to growing pressure to address the over-exploitation of the province’s old-growth forests, Victoria convened an independent, two-person panel in October to conduct an Old Growth Strategic Review, which included seeking public, stakeholder, and First Nations’ feedback on how B.C. should best manage old-growth forests.
The panel’s report and recommendations have been submitted to the government, and Victoria plans to undertake further consultations with the goal of developing a new provincial Old Growth Strategy.
But the press release said the government plans to wait up to six months to publicly release the panel’s recommendations and the province’s proposed new policy direction.
“We look forward to seeing the panel’s report, which must be made public much sooner because time is of the essence as many of the forests in question are being logged right now,” said AFA campaigner Andrea Inness.
“We expect to see strong recommendations based on the scientific evidence presented to the panel, and are looking to the government to quickly implement sweeping changes to protect ancient forests before the next election.”
A statement from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development acknowledged that the panel’s report was received by the ministry on April 30 and committed to publicly respond within six months.
“The primary objective of the Old Growth Strategic Review, announced in July, 2019, is to inform policy and a new old-growth strategy for British Columbia; one that provides more clarity on the land base and with consideration to employment and economic benefits, and social, cultural and environmental values, and the need to address climate change,” the ministry statement said.
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Haddon-Creek-Logging-Aug-2019-120.jpg8001200TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2020-05-15 17:24:002024-06-17 16:11:38Conservation group cries foul over logging old-growth forest in Caycuse River watershed
In April 2020, Ancient Forest Alliance campaigner and photographer TJ Watt explored and documented old-growth logging totalling over 70 hectares along Haddon Creek in Ditidaht Territory and found monumental redcedar trees over 11 feet in diameter cut down. Some of these trees had previously been photographed by him while still standing. Without question, this is – or was – one of the grandest forests on the South Island, rivalling the renowned Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew or the Walbran Valley, which lies a short distance to the south
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/big-tree-logging-vancouver-island-bc.jpg10001500TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2020-04-30 21:19:222024-06-17 16:11:41Photo Gallery: Massive Trees Cut Down on Vancouver Island
Ancient Forest Alliance points to logging of monumental trees in the Caycuse River watershed as evidence of urgent need for NDP government to enact immediate moratoria for BC’s most endangered forest types and sweeping changes based on science to protect old-growth forests.
Speak up for ancient forests!Leave a comment on Forests Minister Doug Donaldson’s Facebook Page or tag him on Twitter using @DonaldsonDoug. Go a step further and contact your MLA to express your concerns! Also, see the full photo gallery here.
Victoria, BC – Conservationists with the Ancient Forest Alliance are calling for both immediate and longer-term steps to protect old-growth following the logging of some of Vancouver Island’s grandest ancient forests along Haddon Creek in the Caycuse River watershed. The urgent call coincides with the deadline for a government-appointed panel to submit recommendations to the Province following a six-month-long Old Growth Strategic Review.
Earlier this month, Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) campaigner and photographer TJ Watt found scores of giant trees cut down in the Caycuse watershed, including monumental redcedar trees over 11 feet in diameter, some of which had previously been photographed by Watt while still standing.
“This grove has an exceptionally large number of massive, ancient cedars,” stated AFA campaigner and photographer, TJ Watt. “Without question, it’s one of the grandest forests on the South Island, rivalling the renowned Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew or the Walbran Valley, which lies a short distance to the south. In 2020, we shouldn’t be logging globally rare ancient forests such as these and converting them to ecologically inferior tree plantations.”
The grove stands within a 33.5 hectare cutblock in Tree Farm Licence 46 near Haddon Creek, where logging company Teal-Jones is actively working. Combined with several other cutblocks nearby, a total of 71.5 hectares (more than 70 football fields) of exceptional old-growth has or will be logged along Haddon Creek and one of its tributaries.
Located southwest of Cowichan Lake and east of Nitinat Lake in Ditidaht First Nation territory, the Caycuse Watershed was once a prime example of ancient coastal rainforest, but has been heavily logged over the past several decades. Now, as the BC government deliberates on how to better manage the province’s dwindling old-growth forests, Teal-Jones is targeting the highest-value stands remaining in the region.
“There is an extreme sense of urgency because we’re rapidly losing the small percentage of “big-tree” forest that remains unprotected on Vancouver Island,” stated Watt. “As the Province assesses the old-growth panel’s findings and decides which recommendations it may or may not implement, trees upwards of a thousand years old are being cut at alarming rates, never to be seen again. Forest Minister Doug Donaldson needs to act quickly and decisively to ensure their protection.”
Haddon Creek – Vancouver Island. TFL 46 – Teal-Jones
In response to growing pressure from British Columbians to address the mismanagement and over-exploitation of the province’s old-growth forests, in October, the BC government convened an independent, two-person panel to conduct an Old Growth Strategic Review, which included seeking public, stakeholder, and First Nations’ feedback on how BC should best manage old-growth. The panel’s report and recommendations are due to be submitted to Premier and Cabinet today, following which the BC government will undertake further consultations with the goal of developing a new provincial Old Growth Strategy.
The BC government plans to wait up to six months to publicly release the panel’s recommendations and the Province’s proposed new policy direction.
“We look forward to seeing the panel’s report, which must be made public much sooner…time is of essence as many of the forests in question are being logged right now,” stated AFA campaigner Andrea Inness. “We expect to see strong recommendations, based on the scientific evidence presented to the panel, and are looking to the BC government to quickly implement sweeping changes to protect ancient forests before the next election.”
“For example, the government needs to place an interim halt on logging in old-growth ‘hotspots’ and BC’s most endangered forest ecosystems while they work to develop their proposed Old Growth Strategy, which must include new or amended legislation that protects old-growth forests based on the latest science. The BC government’s long overdue Big Tree Protection Order must also be implemented to protect BC’s biggest trees with buffer zones as well as the province’s grandest groves, otherwise the greatest stands will be lost in the meantime.”
Haddon Creek – Vancouver Island. TFL 46 – Teal-Jones
“Many of the trees we located and measured in this cutblock would’ve likely qualified for protection under the BC government’s proposed Big Tree Protection Order, which they announced in July 2019 and promised would be implemented by December, 2019,” stated Watt. “So far, the BC NDP have only protected 54 of BC’s biggest trees. Much more urgently needs to be done to protect monumental trees, the grandest groves, and entire old-growth forest ecosystems.”
“In this time of unprecedented health and ecological crises, as experts around the globe are urging governments to halt ecological destruction and biodiversity loss in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s even more critical that BC be a leader in conservation and protect what remains of our endangered old-growth forests for the benefit, health, and prosperity of all.”
Background information
Old growth forests are integral to British Columbia for ensuring the protection of endangered species, climate stability, tourism, clean water, wild salmon, and the cultures of many First Nations. At present, over 79% of the original productive old-growth forests on BC’s southern coast have been logged, including well over 90% of the valley bottoms where the largest trees grow. Only about 8% of Vancouver Island’s original old growth forests are protected in parks and Old Growth Management Areas.
The AFA is calling on the BC NDP government to protect the ecological integrity of BC’s old-growth forests while maintaining jobs and supporting communities by: implementing a science-based plan to protect endangered old-growth forests; providing financial support for First Nations’ sustainable economic development as an alternative to old-growth logging and formally recognizing First Nations’ land use plans, tribal parks, and protected areas; creating a provincial land acquisition fund to purchase and protect endangered ecosystems on private lands; and curbing raw log exports and providing incentives for the development of value-added, second-growth wood manufacturing facilities to sustain and enhance forestry jobs.
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Caycuse-Watershed-April-2020-43.jpg10001500TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2020-04-30 16:47:262024-10-10 11:34:35Logging of BC’s grandest ancient forests continues as Old-growth Strategic Review panel submits recommendations to Province
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Eden-Grove-March-2020-56.jpg10001500TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2020-04-22 01:05:162023-04-06 19:07:15Photo Gallery: Exploring & Climbing Ancient Giants at Eden Grove
Even in this challenging time, BC’s ancient forests remain vulnerable and still need a voice. Please help us raise awareness by sharing these videos far and wide.
Looking for something to pass the time while self-isolating? Check out some of our favourite ancient forest videos! ??
1. Giant Tree Hunters
Get a glimpse into the life of AFA’s big tree hunters and their efforts to find and protect Canada’s largest trees and grandest ancient groves. The film features AFA’s TJ Watt and former Executive Director Ken Wu, forest ecologists Dr. Andy MacKinnon and Dr. Sally Aitken of the BC Big Tree Registry, and tree climbers Matthew Beatty and Damien Carre of Expedition Old Growth.
Produced by: Nootka St Film Co. Length: 19 mins
2. No Degree of Scarcity
This short and compelling documentary follows TJ Watt and Ken Wu through the Walbran Valley and the clearcut surrounding Big Lonely Doug (Canada’s 2nd largest Douglas-fir) in Pacheedaht territory. It showcases some of AFA’s behind-the-scenes work to protect old-growth forests and how leaving ancient forests standing has benefitted Port Renfrew’s economy.
Produced by: US filmmaker Joe Callander Length: 8:49 mins
3. AFA Documentary
Take a look back at AFA’s history in this film, featuring spectacular shots of BC’s old-growth forests and interviews with AFA co-founders Ken Wu and TJ Watt, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim Scott Fraser, veteran old-growth campaigner Valerie Langer, Robert Morales of the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, and more.
Produced by: Darryl Augustine, Roadside Films Length: 16 mins
4. Tahsis: McKelvie Watershed At-Risk
In our first-ever “community spotlight video,” we explore Tahsis and the spectacular McKelvie Valley, a rare intact, unprotected watershed; hear locals’ concerns about Western Forest Products’ plans to clearcut the valley; and learn about “Salmon Parks,” an innovative conservation solution for the Nootka Sound region, championed by three Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.
Produced by: AFA’s TJ Watt & Daniel J. Pierce of Ramshackle Films Length: 3:27 mins
5. Climbing Big Lonely Doug
Watch this incredible footage of the first time AFA members climbed Big Lonely Doug, Canada’s 2nd largest Douglas-fir tree located near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory, along with professional tree climbers from the Aboreal Collective and Ascending the Giants. Since this video was posted on YouTube in 2014, it has accumulated over 1.4 MILLION views – a true testament to the admiration that people from all around the world have for this lonely giant and the impressive skill required to climb it. Length: 4:50 mins
Want to see more of Big Lonely Doug? Check out this video of the second climb undertaken by AFA and Aboreal Collective in 2016, captured using AFA’s drone.
Even in this challenging time, BC’s ancient forests remain vulnerable and still need a voice. Please help us raise awareness by sharing these videos far and wide.
Looking for something to pass the time while self-isolating? Check out some of our favourite ancient forest videos! ??
1. Giant Tree Hunters
Get a glimpse into the life of AFA’s big tree hunters and their efforts to find and protect Canada’s largest trees and grandest ancient groves. The film features AFA’s TJ Watt and former Executive Director Ken Wu, forest ecologists Dr. Andy MacKinnon and Dr. Sally Aitken of the BC Big Tree Registry, and tree climbers Matthew Beatty and Damien Carre of Expedition Old Growth.
Produced by: Nootka St Film Co. Length: 19 mins
2. No Degree of Scarcity
This short and compelling documentary follows TJ Watt and Ken Wu through the Walbran Valley and the clearcut surrounding Big Lonely Doug (Canada’s 2nd largest Douglas-fir) in Pacheedaht territory. It showcases some of AFA’s behind-the-scenes work to protect old-growth forests and how leaving ancient forests standing has benefitted Port Renfrew’s economy.
Produced by: US filmmaker Joe Callander Length: 8:49 mins
3. AFA Documentary
Take a look back at AFA’s history in this film, featuring spectacular shots of BC’s old-growth forests and interviews with AFA co-founders Ken Wu and TJ Watt, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim Scott Fraser, veteran old-growth campaigner Valerie Langer, Robert Morales of the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, and more.
Produced by: Darryl Augustine, Roadside Films Length: 16 mins
4. Tahsis: McKelvie Watershed At-Risk
In our first-ever “community spotlight video,” we explore Tahsis and the spectacular McKelvie Valley, a rare intact, unprotected watershed; hear locals’ concerns about Western Forest Products’ plans to clearcut the valley; and learn about “Salmon Parks,” an innovative conservation solution for the Nootka Sound region, championed by three Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.
Produced by: AFA’s TJ Watt & Daniel J. Pierce of Ramshackle Films Length: 3:27 mins
5. Climbing Big Lonely Doug
Watch this incredible footage of the first time AFA members climbed Big Lonely Doug, Canada’s 2nd largest Douglas-fir tree located near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory, along with professional tree climbers from the Aboreal Collective and Ascending the Giants. Since this video was posted on YouTube in 2014, it has accumulated over 1.4 MILLION views – a true testament to the admiration that people from all around the world have for this lonely giant and the impressive skill required to climb it. Length: 4:50 mins
Want to see more of Big Lonely Doug? Check out this video of the second climb undertaken by AFA and Aboreal Collective in 2016, captured using AFA’s drone.
Even in this challenging time, BC’s ancient forests remain vulnerable and still need a voice. Please help us raise awareness by sharing these videos far and wide.
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Nicholas-de-Pencier-filming-in-Avatar-Grove-near-Port-Renfrew-1.jpg12001800TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2020-04-08 23:31:192024-06-17 16:11:47Need a “forest fix”? Watch our top 5 ancient forest films!
