Earlier this year, TEDxVictoria returned to the stage with the theme “It’s up to us.” Ancient Forest Alliance photographer, campaigner, and co-founder TJ Watt was selected as one of 12 speakers. Like the famed TED Talks, TEDx (which has over 40 million followers on YouTube!) events host a series of speakers who highlight new ideas, challenges, or perspectives, but on a local level.
In his presentation, One Last Shot to Protect Old-Growth Forests In British Columbia, TJ takes us on a visual journey of his work as a conservation photographer, big tree hunter, and National Geographic Explorer. With stunning imagery and passionate storytelling, he shares his life’s mission: helping to secure permanent protection for endangered ancient forests in British Columbia. His talk also touches on how he tracks down giant trees, recent campaign successes, and what solutions are still needed. Be sure to watch and share it below!
A Note from TJ
“I’ve done many talks over the years, but none made me as nervous as this. How do you convey a topic as complex as old-growth forests and your life’s mission to protect them in just 15 minutes? It’s a lot of pressure – especially on a stage in front of 700 people! The opportunity to share my message, photos, and story with such a large audience, including the global reach that TEDx offers, was too important to pass up on, though.
I’ve dedicated the past 15 years to exploring and documenting endangered old-growth forests in BC to help see them saved. From uncovering groves of ancient giants to trudging up steep mountainsides or slogging through soaked clear-cuts, it’s been a beautiful and, many times, heartbreaking journey. It was an honour to share this story on the TEDxVictoria stage. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, please share it with friends and family to help raise further awareness. Thanks to the TEDxVictoria organizers for including me and everyone’s encouragement along the way.”
TJ at TEDxVictoria 2024 [o] Lillie Louise Photography
Feeling inspired?
Please SHARE TJ’s TEDxVictoria talk on social media and with friends and family to help expand its reach! Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=enF8Zf4EPNg
This is huge — literally! We’re thrilled to share a video of what may very well be Canada’s most impressive tree. This gargantuan redcedar measures over 17 ft (5 m) wide near its base and 151 ft (46 m) tall. However, unlike most other trees, its trunk gets wider going upwards, culminating in a sprawling fortress-like crown of wooden spires akin to a massive wooden wall of an ancient castle.
This giant could possibly have the largest or near largest timber volume of any tree in Canada for about the first 50 feet of its trunk — the part you see and experience from the ground. This would make it, experientially, perhaps the most impressive tree in Canada, despite other cedars being taller or ranking higher overall.
It grows in a remote region of Flores Island in Ahousaht territory in Clayoquot Sound, BC, and has so far garnered the nickname ‘The Wall’, or ‘ʔiiḥaq ḥumiis’, meaning ‘big redcedar’ in the Nuu-chah-nulth language. The exact location has been asked to be kept private at this time.
AFA Photographer & Campaigner TJ Watt first located and photographed the tree in 2022 with his friend Nathaniel Glickman before returning in the spring of 2023 with Tyson Atleo, Hereditary Representative of the Ahousaht Nation and the Natural Climate Solutions Program Director of Nature United, and members of the Maaqutusiis Hahoutlhee Stewardship Society (MHSS).
Thankfully, the incredible Land Use Vision from the Ahousaht Nation, currently in the late stages of negotiations with the BC government, calls for the protection of 80% of Ahousaht territory, including the ancient forest where this tree is found. This would happen through the creation of new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) to be legislated as Provincial Conservancies by the province.
The BC government must fully fund and support Indigenous-led protection of old-growth across BC, including in the remaining monumental old-growth stands and those identified as most at risk by the province’s science panel, the Technical Advisory Panel.
AFA commends the Ahousaht Nation for continuing to be such incredible stewards of their lands, which thankfully still harbour some of the most magnificent ancient forests, trees, and wildlife on Earth.
When visiting Ahousaht territory, visitors are encouraged to participate in their voluntary Stewardship Fee. Revenues from the Stewardship Fee directly fund the MHSS Stewardship Guardian Program which works on restoration, monitoring, infrastructure maintenance, and visitor engagement for the Ahousaht. Stewardship Fees can be paid online or at their office at 9-368 Main Street in Tofino. Also be sure to check out Ahous Adventures.
Thank you to the Trebek Initiative for helping make this expedition work possible.
? And don’t forget to SPEAK UP! Send-a-Message calling on the province to commit funding and set ecosystem-based targets for protecting the last monumental old-growth forests across BC.
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Flores-Island-Clayoquot-Sound-111.jpg13652048TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2023-07-28 11:54:352023-07-28 12:04:27See VIDEO of Canada’s Most Impressive Tree!
This shocking before and after video exposes the ongoing impacts of old-growth logging on Vancouver Island, BC. Captured between 2020-2022 in the Caycuse watershed in Ditidaht territory by Ancient Forest Alliance Photographer & Campaigner, TJ Watt, the scenes feature centuries-old redcedar trees standing and then cut down with the approval of the BC government.
? Please speak up!! Send an instant message to the BC government calling for funding for old-growth protection as well as a shift to a more sustainable, value-added second-growth forestry industry.
Background: In 2020, the BC government made a promise to protect BC’s most endangered old-growth forests. In 2021, they accepted, in principle, a recommendation from their appointed independent science panel, the Technical Advisory Panel, to defer logging on 2.6 million hectares of the most at-risk old-growth forests in BC, pending approval from local First Nations.
However, more than a year on, less than half of these areas have been secured for deferral and some recommended areas, such as the forests pictured here, continue to be logged, as the province has failed to provide the requisite financing for First Nations needed to enable the full suite of deferrals.
Many of the trees and groves pictured in this latest series were identified as priority ‘big-tree’ old-growth forests that met the criteria for temporary deferral by the Technical Advisory Panel. In some locations, the forests were logged just months before the recommendations came into effect, while in others, deferrals were not secured in time before logging took place.
Old-growth forests are vital to sustaining unique endangered species, climate stability, tourism, clean water, wild salmon, and the cultures of many First Nations. According to independent scientists, the government’s own data shows that over 97% of BC’s highest productivity forests with the biggest trees have been logged. Second-growth tree plantations, which are typically re-logged 50-60 years later, do not adequately replicate the old-growth ecosystems they are replacing.
The Ancient Forest Alliance continues to call on the BC NPD to establish a dedicated fund of at least $300 million to support Indigenous-led old-growth logging deferrals, land-use plans, and protected areas alone. This would include funding for Indigenous Guardians programs, offsetting the lost revenues for logging deferrals, and supporting the sustainable economic diversification of First Nations communities in lieu of old-growth logging & linked to the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas.
This photo series is part of work Watt has created with support from the Trebek Initiative, a grantmaking partnership between the National Geographic Society and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society that supports emerging Canadian explorers, scientists, photographers, geographers, and educators with the goal of using storytelling to ignite “a passion to preserve” in all Canadians.
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Before-After-2022-Thumbnail-scaled.jpg14402560TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2022-10-20 16:29:022022-10-20 17:03:48VIDEO: Before and After Old-Growth Logging – Caycuse Watershed 2022
Watch our new community spotlight video featuring the ancient forests of Mt. Freda and the Eldred Valley near the town of Powell River on the west coast of BC. The region, which is home to Canada’s oldest recorded trees, has been stewarded by the Tla’amin, shíshálh, Klahoose, and K’ómoks, First Nations since time immemorial.
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Eric-Blaney-and-mt.-freda-yellowcedars.jpg10001500TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2021-11-24 14:31:172023-04-06 19:05:45New community spotlight video: Mt. Freda & Eldred Valley
This election, let’s vote for an end to the logging of BC’s endangered ancient forests and a rapid transition to a sustainable, second-growth forest industry.
Watch the video below to find out where each of BC’s major parties stand on old-growth and visit our website for more details on each party’s platform.
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!
Earlier this year, we visited the town of Tahsis on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island to explore the McKelvie Valley and learn first-hand from local residents why this rare, intact watershed needs protecting.
Turns out, local Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations are championing a new conservation model called Salmon Parks to protect old-growth forests & restore salmon habitat in Nootka Sound, including in the McKelvie.
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Screen-Shot-2019-01-14-at-5.21.45-PM.png302545TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2019-01-13 00:20:242024-07-15 17:11:23Old-growth forest near Port Renfrew needs protection, group says
Watch this Global News piece featuring Sierra Club BC’s Jens Wieting about BC’s global responsibility to protect endangered old-growth forests and the need for urgent action by the NDP government.
With the election of Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s new pro-development president, resulting in anticipated increases in deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, it is even more important that BC’s temperate rainforests – which store more carbon per hectare than any other forest on Earth – be protected. Yet, the NDP has yet to move on its 2017 election platform commitment to manage old-growth forests sustainably, using the ecosystem-based management approach of the Great Bear Rainforest.
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/nootka-island-logging-aerial-7.jpg7951200TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2019-01-03 23:04:462023-04-24 16:54:29Disturbing finding about destruction of old-growth rainforest in B.C.
Thousands of ancient giants, like the enormous redcedar in this film, are being logged in Vancouver Island’s spectacular Nahmint Valley and many more are at risk. Speak up TODAY and send an instant message to the BC government demanding protection for BC’s endangered old-growth forests at: www.ancientforestalliance.org/send-a-message
http://15.157.244.121/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Screen-Shot-2018-12-18-at-5.10.00-PM.png6581122TJ Watthttp://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cropped-AFA-Logo-1000px-300x300.pngTJ Watt2018-12-19 01:12:202024-07-30 16:58:17Ancient Giant Logged in the Nahmint Valley
