Photo Gallery: Cameron Valley Ancient Forest with the Vancouver Sun

/in /by

Last week Vancouver Sun's columnist Stephen Hume came with us to see the endangered Cameron Valley Ancient Forest (ie. “Firebreak”), a truly spectacular lowland stand of densely-packed, monumental old-growth Douglas-firs akin to a “second Cathedral Grove”. This grove stands out as among the finest remaining old-growth Douglas-firs anywhere left on the planet and is of international conservation significance. You can read the resulting news article here: https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/stephen-hume-axing-old-growth-a-crime-against-nature

On our visit we also passed nearby second-growth clearcuts where one can see just how soon many of these trees are logged again. When you log an ancient forest, it doesn't come back. We also checked out a cougar den which is thought to be abandoned after Island Timberlands clearcut to within a few meters of the entranceway. And finally, we toured the world-famous Cathedral Grove as Island Timberlands has plans to log Mt Horne, the old-growth on the hillside above the park. The Ancient Forest Alliance and Port Alberni Watershed-Forest Alliance are continuing to push to save these and many other endangered areas nearby. [o] Photos by TJ Watt.

See the photo album at: https://www.facebook.com/ancientforestalliance/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1061910110570242

New entrance at the Lower Avatar Grove.

Photo Gallery: Avatar Grove Boardwalk 2016 – New Entrance to Lower Grove

/in /by

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 includes 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 to replace the old ones. It was a lot of hard work to say the least! 

See the photo gallery here: https://bit.ly/1ViQ2aM

A huge thanks goes out to Scott Harris for engineering the design, Matthew Varley for leading much of the build and custom fabricating the key metal supports, Ron Krachenfels for adding his knowledge, labour, and expertise, Matt Johnson and Jeremy David for their hard work, and boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt for organizing and helping build as well. 

We're on the home stretch now of boardwalk construction and aim to complete the project this summer, which will include a launch ceremony in the coming months! To donate towards the project and help us finish, please visit: https://16.52.162.165/avatar-grove-boardwalk-now-completed-and-open/ ($100 sponsors 1 meter of boardwalk). The boardwalk is neccessary to protect the grove's ecological integrity and enhance visitor access and safety. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the project so far!! We couldn't have done it without you. Photos: TJ Watt

A climber makes his way up the towering trunk of Big Lonely Doug

New Photo Gallery: Climbing Big Lonely Doug – Round 2!

/in /by

 

The Ancient Forest Alliance has once again teamed up with members of the Arboreal Collective to ascend Big Lonely Doug, Canada’s second largest Douglas-fir tree near Port Renfrew! 

See the photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1016073868487200.1073741898.823970554364200&type=3

Over the March long weekend, climbers Matthew Beatty, Aaron Kinvig, Elliot Wright, and James Frystak, worked with AFA photographer TJ Watt to capture some stunning images and incredible drone footage. Photographers Martin Gregus Jr & Sr from the One 50 Canada Society were also present to document the climb for a future book publication!

In order to get the first ropes in place, the climbers use a 12-foot slingshot to launch a weighted line precisely over one of the top branches. Then, using techniques that allow you to climb the actual ropes and not the tree, they're able to ascend to the top without impacting the tree.

Big Lonely Doug measures 66 m (216 ft) high, 4 m (13 ft) wide, and 12 m (39 ft) around. It stands alone in a 2012 clearcut on Crown lands in Tree Farm Licence 46 held by the logging company Teal-Jones, in the unceded traditional territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation band. Big Lonely Doug is a clear example of both the incredible granduer and terrible destruction of BC’s endangered old-growth forests. Photos by TJ Watt

Recent boardwalk additions in the lower grove which span the area prone to Winter flooding.

Photo Gallery of Avatar Grove Boardwalk Construction! October 2015

/in /by

 

Photo Gallery: https://on.fb.me/1LCZVtCA

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. Volunteers also worked to add traction to many metres of boardwalk, restore parts of the trail which were showing signs of wear, and helped make the route more clear to follow. 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! Thanks to Matt, Ron, Vincent, Nickey, Jessica, Nimai, Eagle, Will, Marc, Heath, Kristin, Chris, Jeremy, Shannon, Pearson College students Navo, Kevin, Will, Lauren, Michael, Matilde, Connor, and AFA boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt.

Boardwalk in the Upper Avatar Grove

New Photo Gallery and Time-Lapse of Avatar Grove Boardwalk Construction!

/in /by

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.

Photos:  https://on.fb.me/1UA4yMo
Time-lapse video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez0xdSy2xEE

In 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. It was challenging work to say the least and lasted until nearly dark each day! The only thing left to do in that section now is add a railing on the bottom deck and stairs. 

The team also installed a beautiful bench near the Gnarly Tree so that visitors can take a break and enjoy the view at the top of the trail.

A huge thanks goes out to volunteers Scott and Nitya, Matthew and Tyrell, Max, and Sean for their long hours and excellent help. A thanks goes out as well to Slegg Lumber for providing a discount on our building supplies and to Port Renfrew Marina for hosting our camp and materials.

There’s still more work to be done though in a few sections of the trail at Avatar Grove this year – to donate towards the project ($100 sponsors 1 metre of boardwalk) please visit this link: https://16.52.162.165/avatar-grove-boardwalk-now-completed-and-open/ We’re very grateful for those of you who already have donated!!

Also, if you have some basic carpentry skills (the more the better!) and would like to volunteer in the future, please email TJ at info@16.52.162.165. We hope you enjoy the latest upgrades!

PHOTO GALLERY: Central Walbran Ancient Forest – Block 4403

/in /by

Here are some fantastic images from part of the endangered Central Walbran Ancient Forest shot in early July by AFA's TJ Watt. The pictures were taken in the '4403' cutblock proposed by Teal-Jones (see map in gallery) just a few hundred metres from where people camp. This section of forest contains some absolutely incredible old-growth redcedar trees as well as some sensitive limestone karst features. Volunteers from the Friends of Carmanah Walbran have flagged a Witness Route into this area marked with yellow flagging tape making it easier to access now.

Please take 30 seconds to send a letter to the BC government asking them to protect the endangered Central Walbran and Edinburgh Mt Ancient Forests here: www.BCForestMovement.com  Thank you!!

PHOTOGALLERY at:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.886074168153838.1073741889.823970554364200&type=3

Ancient Forest Alliance's (AFA) Jackie Korn stands amongst incredible old-growth redcedar trees in proposed cutblock 4412 in the Central Walbran Ancient Forest.

PHOTO GALLERY: Central Walbran & Edinburgh Mountain Ancient Forest

/in /by

Surrey-based forestry company, the Teal-Jones Group, is aggressively moving forward with plans to log and build roads into Canada’s two most magnificent old-growth forests, the Central Walbran Ancient Forest (about 500 hectares) and the Edinburgh Mountain Ancient Forest (about 1500 hectares) on southern Vancouver Island. The company is planning eight new cutblocks (clearcuts) and a new road in the Central Walbran, and two new cutblocks and a new road on Edinburgh Mountain. The Walbran Valley is home to perhaps Canada’s finest stand of old-growth redcedars, the Castle Grove, while Edinburgh Mountain is where “Big Lonely Doug” (discovered last year by Ancient Forest Alliance activists to be Canada’s 2nd largest Douglas-fir tree – alas, completely surrounded by a 2012 clearcut) still stands and where the threatened “Christy Clark Grove” (ie. Lower Edinburgh Grove) is located in the Gordon River Valley.

Here are some photos and maps by the AFA's TJ Watt, from a recent July 2015 visit to these areas:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.877459535681968.1073741888.823970554364200&type=3

2014 Avatar Grove Boardwalk Progress and Photo Galleries

/in /by
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.
 
To donate towards the boardwalk please visit: https://16.52.162.165/avatar-grove-boardwalk-now-completed-and-open/ $100 helps to build 1 metre of boardwalk and you’ll receive a thank-you certificate with your name on it!
 
 
Volunteers this summer worked tirelessly to complete many things including two sets of much-needed steps up the slope towards the Gnarly Tree; many gravel steps leading into the Lower Grove; a bidge over the creek in the Upper Grove; various platforms and steps over obstacles in the Lower Grove; adding metal traction to the boardwalk surface; blocking off old trails and edging the path with logs; and more!! All of this work will help to protect the forest's delicate understory from excessive trampling, improve visitor access and safety, and help support the local economy of Port Renfrew and the Pacheedaht First Nation Band through eco-tourism.
 
A big thanks goes out to all the volunteers who have helped out so far; to the generous donors who have supported the boardwalk project; to Slegg Lumber for providing a discounted rate on many tools and supplies; and to the Port Renfrew Marina for allowing us use of their facilities. 
 
If you would like to help out with future boardwalk events, please send an email with your availability, any related experience or special skills, and physical limitations we should be aware of, to Avatar Boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt at: info@16.52.162.165 Volunteers must be able to follow instructions accurately, be in good physical condition to do the work, and act safely, responsibly and respectfully without exception.

New PHOTO GALLERIES of Avatar Grove Boardwalk progress in 2014

/in /by

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. A big thanks goes to those who've come out to help and to everyone who's donated towards the project!

See photos of July's work here: https://on.fb.me/1ocTApr 

See photos of August's work here: https://on.fb.me/1C0NIKG

Some of the latest additions include a beautiful new sign post at the trailhead; a much-needed bridge over the creek in the Upper Grove; a big section of stairs and platforms leading up the slope to the Gnarly Tree; new sections of landscape steps; extended bridges and platforms; and many other things!

Help us reach our $12,000 fundraising goal to complete the boardwalk this year! 

$100 sponsors 1 metre of boardwalk and you will receive a thank you certificate with your name or a friend's name if it's a gift!

  1. Donate securely online: https://16.52.162.165/avatar-grove-boardwalk-now-completed-and-open/
  2. By phone: 250-896-4007
  3. By Mail: Victoria Main PO, Box 8459, Victoria, BC V8W 3S1, Canada

If you would like to help out, please send an email with your availability, any related experience or special skills, and physical limitations we should be aware of, to Avatar Boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt at: info@16.52.162.165 Volunteers must be able to follow instructions accurately, be in good physical condition to do the work, and act safely, responsibly and respectfully without exception. Activities may include carrying heavy boardwalk planks, bucketing gravel, using hand tools, digging soil, moving rocks, etc. as well as having fun!

PHOTO GALLERY: Kwakiutl First Nation Protest Island Timberlands Logging

/in /by

A week ago, Ancient Forest Alliance campaigners Ken Wu, TJ Watt, and Hannah Carpendale were in Port Hardy on northern Vancouver Island, where the Kwakiutl First Nation Band is currently protesting Island Timberlands' logging operations near their reserve. They invited us to meet community members, document the logging and protest, and support their efforts. Here are some photos of the old-growth redcedars, some of them 700 years old, that Island Timberlands recently cut which the Kwakiutl are preventing them from hauling off, and of the protest. Currently the Kwakiutl leadership are in discussions with the company while the protest continues. • Photos by TJ Watt.

Link to gallery: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.722284207804436.1073741849.100000685892458&type=1&l=08ba57d909