Kanaka Bar IPCA Proposal

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In August 2022, members of the Ancient Forest Alliance had the opportunity to explore some important sites that are part of the proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) put forward by the Kanaka Bar Band in the Kwoiek and Fraser Valleys near the town of Lytton, BC.

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA), Endangered Ecosystems Alliance (EEA), and Nature-Based Solutions Foundation (NBSF) – which form the Old-Growth Solutions Initiative (OGSI) – are supporting the Kanaka Bar Band’s proposal to protect 35,000 hectares of land (an area nearly twice the size of Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park), including 12,500 hectares of some of the most biodiverse old-growth ecosystems in BC, home to dozens of species-at-risk.

Of particular value is the protection of old-growth forests from the Interior Douglas-fir (IDF) zone, which is the most underrepresented ecosystem in the protected areas system in BC. In fact, this proposed IPCA includes the largest specimens of interior Douglas-fir trees known in Canada! Protecting such high-value tracts of this threatened ecosystem would make enormous strides to preserving the incredible diversity of old-growth forests in the province.

This proposal has yet to be finalized and future steps include community consultation, acquiring necessary provincial and federal funding, and finally the enactment of provincial legislation. We are excited to work on this project as it develops and to support the dedication and vision of Chief Jordan Spinks, Kanaka CEO Greg Grayson, and Lands Manager Sean O’Rourke, as well as other members of the Kanaka Bar Band on this fantastic initiative that conjoins indigenous land stewardship and the protection of endangered old-growth forests.

Learn more here: https://16.52.162.165/band-in-b-c-s-fraser-canyon-proposes-to-protect-manage-350-sq-km-swath-of-land/

Get to know 2021 Trebek Grantee, campaigner and photographer with Ancient Forest Alliance, TJ Watt

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Check out this new interview from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society featuring AFA Photographer & Co-Founder, TJ Watt.

Last year, TJ was awarded significant support and recognition as one of the first recipients of the Trebek Initiative grant, naming him a National Geographic Explorer and Royal Canadian Geographical Society Explorer. The grant is supporting TJ’s work exploring and documenting at-risk ancient forests in BC through the creation of new ‘before & after’ series, aerial imagery, and more.

Double your impact when supporting the AFA until September 7th!

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We’re grateful to announce an anonymous supporter has generously offered to match donations made to the AFA dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 until September 7th. This means for the next two months, when you give a gift to the AFA, it will have DOUBLE the impact!

Right now we’re at a critical point in the decades-long push to protect old-growth forests in BC. What happens in the next few years will determine the fate of these irreplaceable forests for decades to come.

The BC government has made bold promises to protect old-growth and has agreed – in principle – to defer millions of hectares based on the best available science. But they’re moving slowly, allowing many places to still be logged. Most crucially, they are failing to provide the hundreds of millions of dollars needed for conservation financing for First Nations communities which would help make the full suite of deferrals and permanent protection possible.

We must hold them to account. Until September 7th, double your impact when donating to AFA through our matching campaign. This support will allow us to continue our most important work, including:

  • Working with First Nations partners to support Indigenous-led protected areas initiatives and sustainable economic alternatives to old-growth logging. Cost: $20,000
  • Exploring and documenting endangered ancient forests with photography and video. This is a critical tactic for educating and mobilizing the public to speak up for old-growth forests and for holding the BC government accountable for its policies & promises. Cost: $3,000
  • Undertaking updated mapping on the status of endangered old-growth forests on BC’s south coast. Cost: $2,000
  • Building and strengthening relationships with municipalities and non-traditional allies such as unions, chambers of commerce, and tourism associations to build a broad-based movement of support for old-growth protection. Cost: $5,000

Change is possible, if only we continue to fight for it. Please help us keep the momentum going.

Here are some ways you can make your one-time or monthly gift:

• Visit our online donation page
• Phone 250-896-4007 (Mon-Fri)
• Mail a donation to: Ancient Forest Alliance, 205-620 View St Victoria, BC V8W 1J6

National Indigenous Peoples Day

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Today we celebrate Indigenous People who’ve been stewards of this land since time immemorial.

Across BC, indigenous communities are playing an increasingly central role in the protection and stewardship of natural areas, including the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas, tribal parks, and conservancies.

Below are some highlights of places to visit in BC where First Nations communities have taken the lead in setting aside some of the most magnificent old-growth forests. Explore these amazing wild places and reflect on the hard work that went into protecting their special beauty.

    1. Wah-nuh-jus—Hilthoois (Meares Island) Tribal Park: There are four declared tribal parks in Tla-o-qui-aht territory, including the Wah-nuh-jus—Hilthoois (Meares Island) Tribal Park in Tofino. To explore this unique tribal park with its gargantuan old-growth trees, support the T’ashii Paddle School which offers tours to the island in a 25-foot, traditional-style, hand-carved dugout canoe. 
    2. Chun T’oh Whudujut (Ancient Forest) Provincial Park: Established in 2016 within the traditional territory of the Lhedli T’enneh and 120 kilometres east of Prince George, this Provincial Park preserves one of the greatest examples of the unique inland temperate rainforest in BC. Almost three kilometres of boardwalk, including a section that is wheelchair accessible, takes you past 1000-year-old western redcedars and a cascading waterfall.
    3. Great Bear Rainforest: Located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest and owned by the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Nation, the Spirit Bear Lodge is the perfect place to experience the world’s largest tract of old-growth temperate rainforest. The Kitasoo/Xai’xais run eco-tours to find grizzlies, wolves, and even the elusive spirit bear in the vast protected conservancies that they have partnered with the government to create. In fact, the partnership with indigenous nations has been the reason why 85% of old-growth forest in the Great Bear Rainforest is permanently protected, creating a higher standard for ecosystem protection.
    4. Yaaguun Gandlaay Heritage Site/Conservancy: Once home to the legendary Golden Spruce, this site has been protected by the Haida Nation to preserve its unique ecological and cultural values. Though the famous Golden Spruce was tragically cut down, the Golden Spruce trail winds through some of the most incredible old-growth Sitka spruce forests left in BC.

Send a message to the BC government telling them you want to see support for more Indigenous-led protected area initiatives in BC!

 

Before and After Billboard

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We have a new billboard on display as you’re heading to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal that poses a critical question: Which future would you choose?

If you want a future with ancient trees, biodiverse ecosystems, and a fighting chance against climate change, send a message to the BC NDP and John Horgan, asking them to commit funding for old-growth forest protection.

Photo gallery: Klaskish Inlet

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Our latest exploration of Klaskish Inlet on northern Vancouver Island, a wild, rugged, and remote area home to stunning old-growth forests has been hit hard by clearcutting.

Despite that, this region still represents one of the few remaining opportunities to set aside large tracts of ancient rainforests on Vancouver Island.

View our photo gallery and send an instant message to the BC government to tell them to protect this stunning forest before it’s logged.

2021 Activity & Financial Report

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2021 was a historic year in the movement to protect old-growth forests in BC thanks to all of you!
View our 2021 Activity Report & Financials, and check out our priorities for 2022!

 

BC Government Announces Additional Logging Deferrals

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Earlier this month, in partnership with First Nations, the BC government announced the deferral of an additional 480,000 hectares of the most at-risk old-growth forests in BC – a big step forward in the push to save old-growth, with a ways still yet to go.

Combined with the government’s earlier deferral (a temporary halt to logging) in BC Timber Sales’ tenure, just over 1 million hectares of big-tree, ancient, and remnant forest ecosystems are now deferred, as recommended by the independent science panel or Technical Advisory Panel (TAP).

Without detailed maps, however, it’s difficult to make an accurate assessment of the latest deferrals to determine whether they have indeed prevented logging in areas under immediate threat or instead focused on areas that weren’t currently slated to be cut. The province must release detailed maps to ensure public transparency. 

In addition to the above deferrals, the government also announced an extra 619,000 hectares of deferrals in forests that were not mapped by the TAP. These forests may have been selected by First Nations for their cultural values or importance to wildlife and are a welcome addition to the province’s efforts. 

In total, 1.7 million hectares of forest land are now temporarily off-limits from logging, giving First Nations the time needed to create land-use plans that will ultimately determine which areas receive permanent protection in the form of new Indigenous Protected Areas and forest reserves.

However, it should be noted that 1.55 million hectares, or 60% of the 2.6 million hectares of at-risk old-growth recommended for deferral by the TAP, still lack deferrals and recent research has shown are in some cases still being logged (see article below).

This is why conservation financing is so critical at this time.

Under pressure, the BC government committed $185 million in its most recent budget for workers, contractors, and First Nations to assist with the impacts of deferrals – a major step up from previous budgets but still short of what’s needed. 

We’ve been calling for at least $300 million for First Nations alone to help fund sustainable economic diversification, Guardian programs, and the creation of new Indigenous Protected Areas that protect old-growth forests.

The federal government has made hundreds of millions available for land conservation in BC, with $55 million specifically earmarked for old-growth; the latter of which requires matching funding from the province. It’s time they embraced this amazing opportunity!

We’re not all the way there yet but the tide is starting to turn towards greater protection of old-growth forests. This would not be the case without the pressure and support from the tens of thousands of AFA supporters who continue to speak up and demand better. Thank you!!

• Please take a moment to send a letter to the BC government calling for conservation funding and share the link with your friends and family.

• For news on the latest deferral announcement, read this news coverage.

• For news on old-growth logging taking place in areas recommended for deferral, read this press release by Stand.Earth.

International Day of Forests

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Happy International Day of Forests! 

Today – and every day – is a fantastic time to celebrate the magnificent forest ecosystems in BC. These forests are home to some of the oldest, tallest, and widest trees known on Earth.

“Champion Trees” are the largest known examples of their species. This is calculated by the combination of a tree’s trunk diameter, height, and the size of its crown. For example, the Cheewhat Cedar is BC’s ultimate Champion Tree. It’s the largest tree in Canada and the largest red-cedar known on Earth.

To see a list of more Champion Trees and maybe even nominate one yourself, check out the BC BigTree Registry. 

We’ve compiled a few of the most famous giants found in BC, along with some more recent finds. The quest for even larger trees is always ongoing and AFA’s big-tree seekers are sure there are even bigger ones still out there waiting to be found! 

 

 

Recreational Canoeing Association of BC Signs Resolution in Support of Old-Growth Protection

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We’re pleased to announce the Recreational Canoeing Association of BC (RCABC), representing 400 members, has signed a resolution in support of old-growth forest protection!

By signing this resolution, RCABC is calling on the BC government to support First Nations to protect at-risk old-growth forests while ensuring sustainable economic development and enabling the shift to a second-growth forest industry.

Old-growth forests offer an unparalleled outdoor recreation experience and are an important part of BC’s appeal as a unique tourist destination. As long as ancient forests remain unprotected and vulnerable to logging, communities, tourists, and British Columbians stand to lose these incredible ecosystems and a sustainable way to enjoy them. If you or someone you know is a part of an outdoor recreation group, or another organization that benefits from the protection of old-growth forests, please join our network of non-traditional allies to call on the BC government to take the necessary steps to ensure the protection of old-growth forests while supporting First Nations and forestry-dependent communities.

Learn more ⬇️

https://16.52.162.165/our-work/building-alliances/