IN CONCERT
What: Tall Tree Music Festival
When: Friday and Saturday (camping is available)
Where: Wild Coast Cottages, 6574 Baird Rd., Port Renfrew
Tickets: $70 (weekend pass) at Sitka Surf Shop, McPherson box office, and www.rmts.com
Information: talltreefestival.com
The provincial forestry watchdog agency agrees the province should allow a mature coastal Douglas fir forest in Nanoose to be logged, but stops short of saying how it can be done.
The Forest Practices Board investigated a complaint against the B.C. Forests Ministry for issuing a woodlot licence for District Lot 33, a 64-hectare property containing rare coastal Douglas fir forest in Nanoose Bay.
Canada is among the last of the developed nations that logs its old-growth forests. In the US, the vast majority of logging takes place in second-growth stands, while Europeans log second- and third-growth forests. Southwestern Australia halted the logging of its old-growth forests six years ago, as did New Zealand in the year 2000.
The Big Tree Tour is a fundraising ride started by four friends who happen to be very passionate about the work the Ancient Forest Alliance is doing. “We also like riding bikes,” said Big Tree Tour organizer and rider Leroy Nixon. The purpose of the tour is to raise awareness about the preservation of our ancient forests through ecotourism and human-powered travel.
As a new grassroots organization and with our June 21 deadline to raise $20,000 fast approaching, we are in GREAT need of funding. Per dollar, your support will go farther with us than with virtually any other major environmental organization in the country, allowing us to build a most effective movement for our ancient forests and forestry jobs!
On Sunday, June 6, the numerous cyclists participating in the Big Trees Pedal Powered Tour successfully completed the final leg of their 4 day, 260 kilometre self-propelled journey to see some of the stunning old growth forests of southern Vancouver Island. The trip was organised as a fundraiser and to raise awareness of the pressing need for protection of BC’s endangered forests. As part of their trip, the riders visited many of the biggest trees in Canada, including those found in the spectacular Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew. In recent months, freshly logged stumps measuring 45 feet in circumference have been found in the Gordon River Valley, just over a kilometre from Avatar Grove.
This weekend festival in Port Renfrew is being hosted by various local businesses, including the Bigfish Lodge, Wild Coast Cottages, Sitka Surfboards, and Radio Contact Productions, in support of the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA). The festival will feature bands and DJs from across Canada playing in a coastal venue with views over the West Coast Trail and the Port San Juan. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the AFA. For more information, please visit https://www.radiocontact.ca/
They don’t have much in the way of money, equipment or people, but Ken Wu says big tree hunting is drawing critical attention to the plight of old growth forests.
Ahimsa Yoga in Sooke is hosting a special Karma Yoga class with all proceeds donated to the AFA!
When members of the Ancient Forest Alliance asked Port Renfrew restaurant owner Jessica Hicks to host a public meeting about a stand of old growth trees dubbed Avatar Grove, Hicks thought she might use the event as a fundraiser for the fledgeling environmental group. Then, reflecting on her Coastal Kitchen Cafe’s place in the community and the smouldering tension between environmentalists and B.C.’s logging towns, Hicks decided a simple information session might ruffle fewer feathers.
