Ancient Forest Alliance

Lichen-naming auction can be your path to immortality

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The fastest way to immortality is to have the naming rights on a lichen, said biologist Andy MacKinnon, looking admiringly at the grey-green tresses of lichen hanging from trees in Goldstream Park.

“I can’t help but think it would be the perfect Christmas present,” said MacKinnon, coauthor of The Plants of Coastal B.C., which has sold 300,000 copies and is described as the Bible of B.C. botany.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘A lichen is forever,’ ” he said.

Naming rights for two new species of lichen found in B.C.’s inland rainforest are up for grabs and bids in the public auction close at noon Thursday.

The lichens are the horsehairlike bryoria, which forms flowing brown-black tresses and the elegant, two-toned parmelia with strap-like lobes.

They were offered for auction by Trevor Goward, curator of lichens at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of B.C, who discovered the new species.

The winning bidder will be able to attach any name to the lichens and that name will stick forever, said MacKinnon, whose bids have already been overtaken.

“It’s one of the very few ways people can achieve immortality,” he said.

Proceeds from the bryoria auction will go to the Ancient Forest Alliance and the parmelia proceeds will go to The Land Conservancy.

The AFA money will probably be used to create new status reports and maps of remaining old-growth on Vancouver Island, said Ken Wu, AFA co-founder.

The last maps used data from 2004 and there have been at least two spikes in old-growth logging since then, he said.

It is the first time in Canada that “taxonomic tithing” – auctioning off naming rights to new species – has been used, he said.

“We’re excited about this taxonomic tithing trial run in B.C, not just because it could greatly help fund our campaign to protect endangered old-growth forests here, but also because it could be applied just about everywhere else,” Wu said. “It holds great potential as a creative conservation fundraiser.”

To bid on the bryoria go to www.ancientforestalliance.org or phone 250-896-4007.

To bid on the parmelia go to www.conservancy.bc.ca or call 1-877-485-2422.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/naming-rights-to-new-lichen-species-up-for-sale-1.1103882

Naming rights for this new species of Bryoria or “Horsehair Lichen”

British Columbia Magazine: Lichen auction closes soon

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Time is running out to have a treasured name live on in a lichen species. The contest to name two new species of lichen found in British Columbia’s rainforests closes December 15, so get brainstorming and start bidding.

The two species of lichens were discovered by researcher Trevor Goward who has donated his dibs on naming rights (which, under scientific protocol, usually go to the person who describes it). Instead, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia and the Ancient Forest Alliance are holding online auctions for the public to bid for the right to name the lichens. All proceeds will go to the two environmental groups. Goward refers to the auction of the naming rights as “taxonomic tithing,” and encourages other researchers to do the same.

Make a bid on the respective lichen species by visiting the websites of The Land Conservancy (1-877-485-2422) or the Ancient Forest Alliance (250-896-4007).

Link to original article:  https://www.beautifulbc.ca/blogs/2011/12/06/lichen-contest-closes-soon/

Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group's (HTG) Robert Morales speaking at the Ancient Forest Alliance's rally in October

TONIGHT! Chief treaty negotiator Robert Morales speaks on the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group’s fight for their forests and human rights!

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Join the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group’s (HTG) Robert Morales for a presentation about the Hul’qumi’num’s fight to sustain their culture, their land and their human rights against the large scale clearcutting and development on their unceded territories.

Time: 7:00-8:30 PM
Date: TONIGHT, Tuesday, Dec.13 th
Location: Garry Oak Room – Fairfield Community Association. 1335 Thurlow Rd (by Moss St), Victoria.
Map: https://g.co/maps/hskn7

Cost: By Donation

See YouTube clip (3min) of clear cutting in HTG Traditional Territory: https://youtu.be/yEpuciCDCcw

The Hul’qumi’num are a conglomerate of six First Nations bands on southeastern Vancouver Island representing 6200 members in the Cowichan Ladysmith, and Nanaimo areas. The HTG’s Land Use Plan calls for protection of the remaining old-growth forest in their territories. Unfortunately, over 80% of their traditional lands were given away to private interests during the E&N Land Grant over a century ago.

The HTG have lodged a complaint to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the human rights monitoring organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), stating that the privatization and subsequent resource liquidation of their unceded territories has resulted in the loss of their culture and infringed on their human rights.

The Ancient Forest Alliance is supporting the HTG’s call for the BC government to consult and accomodate their interests with regards to these privatized corporate forest lands and to respect their land use plan.

Please come out and bring friends for this interesting and important event!

Naming rights for this new species of Bryoria or “Horsehair Lichen”

“New Species Conservation Auction” – Unique Conservation Fundraiser to help counter the Biodiversity Crisis, closes this Thursday

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­­­For Immediate Release
Monday, December 12, 2011

“New Species Conservation Auction” – Unique Conservation Fundraiser to help counter the Biodiversity Crisis, closes this Thursday

Conservationists hope trial run of “taxonomic tithing” in British Columbia to protect old-growth forests becomes a model for protecting diverse ecosystems around the world

A public auction for the naming rights to a recently discovered species of lichen in British Columbia’s  temperate rainforest will close at 3 pm EST on Thursday, December 15.  The new species was discovered by botanical researcher Trevor Goward, the curator of lichens at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of British Columbia. Funds from the highest bidder will benefit a new B.C. conservation organization, the Ancient Forest Alliance (www.ancientforestalliance.org) working to protect the province’s endangered old-growth forests.

Conservationists are hoping that this first trial run of “taxonomic tithing” in British Columbia will provide a successful model that inspires similar taxonomic tithing initiatives around the world for conservation organizations working to protect diverse ecosystems and endangered species. “Taxonomic tithing” is a term coined by Goward whereby a biological researcher who describes a new species donates its naming rights for conservation purposes (see  https://www.waysofenlichenment.net/tithe/home).

“Thousands of new species are described every year,” notes Goward.  “If our auction is successful, it could inspire taxonomists around the world to get involved in auctions of this kind: a whole new niche for conservation fundraising! My dream is that Canadians will lead the way on this initiative!”

According to scientific protocol, the right to give a new species its scientific name goes to the person who scientifically describes it. However, an online auction will earn the highest bidder the right to name the new lichen species – whether after loved ones, themselves, or whomever they choose. Groups can also pool their money to make bids. The scientific species name could last centuries, enshrined in the scientific nomenclature as a legacy for environmentally-concerned individuals long after they have passed away. Recently a new species of lichen was named by a researcher after US President Barack Obama. The small lichen is named Caloplaca obamae (see https://www.livescience.com/3524-newfound-lichen-species-named-obama.html).

“We’re excited about this taxonomic tithing trial run in B.C. not just because it could greatly help fund our campaign to protect endangered old-growth forests here, but also because it could be applied just about everywhere else,” stated Ken Wu, Ancient Forest Alliance co-founder. “Taxonomic tithing holds great potential as a creative conservation fundraiser:  it connects species to efforts to protect the ecosystems in which they were discovered; it focuses media and public attention on the need to protect these ecosystems; and it’s a creative way to raise greatly needed funds for conservation groups across the planet as new species are still being found almost everywhere on Earth.”

Currently, about 18,000 species of animals and plants are scientifically described each year on Earth, with less than two million species having been described in total. The latest research estimates the number of species on Earth at about 8.7 million species (see https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110823180459.htm), meaning most have not even been discovered, described and named. Ecologists believe the Earth is now experiencing its sixth mass extinction event, the greatest extinction crisis since the demise of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago – only this time the extinction crisis is due to one species, humans. Scientists estimate that up to half of the Earth’s species could go extinct this century due to human modification of the environment – logging, climate change, exotic species introductions, agriculture, urbanization, mining, etc.

B.C.’s old-growth forests are home to numerous species at risk that require old-growth forests to flourish, including mountain caribou, spotted owls, marbled murrelets, Vaux’s swifts, and many species of lichens. After old-growth forests are logged, they are replaced by tree plantations that lack the structural diversity and ecological characteristics that support these unique species. These plantations are to be re-logged every 30 to 80 years before they can become old-growth forests again. About 80% or more of the old-growth forests in southern British Columbia have already been logged and converted to second-growth tree plantations, farmland, and cities. See spectacular images of Vancouver Island’s old-growth forests at:   https://16.52.162.165/photos-media/

“With Christmas coming, here’s a perfect opportunity to give something back to the Earth and at the same time honour a loved one by naming a new species after them,” states Goward. “It has been almost three centuries since Carolus Linnaeus invented the modern biological classification system; and even now the names of the people he honoured in the name of various plants and animals are still with us. With any luck, your name will last at least as long as our civilization exists.”

Lichens are small organisms often mistaken for plants, but perhaps better thought of as cooperative (symbiotic) unions of fungi and algae: fungi that have discovered agriculture https://www.waysofenlichenment.net/.

The lichen being donated to the Ancient Forest Alliance is a “Horsehair Lichen” or Bryoria, which forms elegant black tresses on the branches of trees. “These are the lichens that provide winter food for the Mountain Caribou, British Columbia’s version of Santa’s reindeer,” says Goward. “Without lichens, caribou and reindeer would soon disappear; and where would Santa Clause be then?”

The Ancient Forest Alliance is a new British Columbian environmental organization established in 2010 working to protect BC’s remaining old-growth forests and to ensure sustainable forestry jobs. It works through research and public education to promote the establishment of new laws and policies to protect old-growth forests. Goward is also donating the naming rights of another new species of lichen to The Land Conservancy, a conservation organization working to purchase parts of the Clearwater Valley to make a wildlife corridor near Wells Gray Provincial Park in British Columbia.

To make a bid, visit the Ancient Forest Alliance’s website www.ancientforestalliance.org or go directly to Charity Buzz at  https://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/272986 or phone 250-896-4007. The auction closes on December 15 at 3 pm EST.

  

Lichen auction closes Dec. 15

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Two “name that lichen” auctions organized by Upper Clearwater naturalist Trevor Goward will end on Thursday, Dec. 15.

As of press-time late last week, the highest bid on an auction to name a new species of crottle lichen was $7,000 from an individual named Robert Pirooz.

The highest bid to name a new species of horsehair lichen was $3,500 from a Don McKay of Ontario.

“This is as Canadian as it gets,” said Goward. “With Christmas coming, here’s a perfect opportunity to give something back to Canada and at the same time honor a loved one – or a favorite hockey team – by naming a Canadian lichen after them.”

“Without lichens, caribou and reindeer would soon disappear; and where would Santa Claus be then?” he asked.

The crottle lichen auction is being done through the Land Conservancy of BC. The money raised will be used for the organization’s campaign to establish a wetlands and wildlife corridor in Upper Clearwater.

The corridor would create a connection between two lobes of Wells Gray Park. It also would protect over 130 acres, including 67 acres of wetlands and a 10-acre meadow that is home to Canada’s most diverse population of moonwort ferns (Botrychium spp.).

The crottle lichen or Parmeli whose name is being auctioned consists of strap-like lobes, pale grayish above and black below. It inhabits the branches of trees in B.C.’s inland rainforests such as the Clearwater Valley

The second lichen name auction is being done through the Ancient Rainforest Alliance.

The money raised in the second auction would be used to help protect B.C.’s rainforests, especially on public land.

The new species of Bryoria or horsehair lichen forms elegant black tresses on the branches of trees in old-growth forests.

An online auction in 2005 for the naming of a new species of monkey in Bolivia netted $650,000. Money raised by that auction went to protecting the monkey’s habitat.

“It’s been almost three centuries since Carolus Linnaeus invented the modern biological classification system; and even now the names of the people he honored in the name of various plants and animals are still with us,” said Goward. “With any luck, your name will last at least as long as Canada does.”

Further information and a chance to bid are at Land Conservancy (TLC) of British Columbia (https://blog.conservancy.bc.ca/) and the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) (www.ancientforestalliance.org/) websites.

Lichens are small organisms that are cooperative (symbiotic) unions of fungi and algae: fungi that have discovered agriculture. Check out Goward’s website at www.waysofenlichenment.net/ for more lichen information.

Renowned lichenologist Trevor Goward stands beside the new species of Bryoria or "horsehair lichen" he discovered. To place a bid for the naming rights to this species visit: https://www.charitybuzz.com/categories/43/catalog_items/272986

Taxonomy – The name of the lichen

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     A few years ago, a fellow lichenologist named a new species of lichen after Trevor Goward. Ramboldia gowardiana features maraschino-red buttons protruding from a silvery white crust. Toby Spribille’s reasoning was that Goward “added local colour to lichenology in western North America.” The curator of lichens at the University of British Columbia, Goward has himself discovered, described and named more than 20 species of lichen, but the naming privileges to his most recent finds will probably go to strangers.

     Goward is working with a pair of conservation organizations in British Columbia to auction off the right to name his two new species. The Victoria-based Ancient Forest Alliance, which is dedicated to protecting and advocating for the province’s old-growth forests, is soliciting bids for Bryoria, a “horsehair lichen” that cascades over tree branches in long, black strands. Goward hopes that the auction money will help the organization “make its voice heard in coming elections.” The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC), meanwhile, is selling the naming rights to Parmelia, a leafy, branch-clinging “crottle” lichen marked by slender, pallid grey lobes. Proceeds from the winning bid will go toward the purchase of private land to create a wildlife corridor between two sections of Wells Gray Provincial Park, in east-central British Columbia.

     A Google satellite view of the Wells Gray region reveals widespread logging; a patchwork of scarred land surrounds the park’s borders. Between the park’s southern points lies a jumble of crown land and private property, as well as migration paths used by black and grizzly bears, cougars and moose. About two kilometres wide, the proposed wildlife corridor will protect these routes, which merge with land set aside for researchers from Thompson Rivers University, in Kamloops. Goward has donated his adjacent four hectares of property to the project and persuaded a neighbouring couple to donate 27 hectares.

     Both auctions are scheduled to wrap up by late December. As of press time, the leading bids were in the $5,000 ballpark and the auctions had attracted high-profile bidders such as National Geographic Society explorer-in-residence Wade Davis. “We’re hoping that this auction really captures someone’s imagination,” says Barry Booth, TLC’s northern region manager. “This is such an innovative way to commemorate someone’s life and to raise funds for the Wells Gray project. This could be a model for future fundraising.”

     Goward’s ambitions go even further. Roughly 18,000 new organisms are described by taxonomists worldwide every year (although most are much smaller than lichens), and he plans to call upon his peers to participate in the “taxonomic tithing” movement by sharing some of their naming rights with environmental causes. His pitch to potential bidders: “Somebody in the world will always know the name of that species, and because the naming will have a story, it will have more resonance.”

For an update on the lichen auctions, visit www.ancientforestalliance.org and  blog.conservancy.bc.ca. For more information on “taxonomic tithing,” go to www.waysofenlichenment.net

 Read the article in the Canadian Geographic:  https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/magazine/dec11/lichen_taxonomy.asp

“Name that Lichen” auction closes 15 December!

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“Name that Lichen” auction closes 15 December. Researcher challenges Canadians to give something back to Canada and at the same time honour a loved one – or favourite hockey team – in the name of a native species: the perfect Canadian Christmas gift.

Public auctions for naming rights to two recently discovered lichens will close on 15 December, with proceeds going to two B.C. environmental groups: The Land Conservancy (TLC) of British Columbia (   www.conservancy.bc.ca/), working to create a much-needed wildlife corridor for Wells Gray Provincial Park; and the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) (   https://16.52.162.165/), gearing up to protect B.C.’s remaining oldgrowth forests.

The two lichen species were discovered in B.C.’s rainforests by botanical researcher Trevor Goward. According to scientific protocol, the right to give a new species its scientific name goes to the person who describes it. However, an online auction running on each organization’s website since June will earn the highest bidders the right to name these lichens – whether after loved ones, themselves, or whomever they choose.

“This is as Canadiana as it gets,” says Trevor. “With Christmas coming, here’s a perfect opportunity to give something back to Canada and at the same time honour a loved one – or a favourite hockey team – by naming a Canadian lichen after them”. “It’s been almost three centuries since Carolus Linnaeus invented the modern biological classification system; and even now the names of the people he honoured in the name of various plants and animals are still with us. With any luck, your name will last at least as long as Canada does. Not even Stephen Harper could hope for more than that.”

Lichens are small organisms often mistaken for plants, but perhaps better thought of as cooperative (symbiotic) unions of fungi and algae: fungi that have discovered agriculture https://www.waysofenlichenment.net/ .

The lichen being donated to the Ancient Forest Alliance is a “Horsehair Lichen” or Bryoria, which forms elegant black tresses on the branches of trees. “These are the lichens that provide winter food for the Mountain Caribou, British Columbia’s version of Santa’s reindeer,” says Trevor. “Without lichens, caribou and reindeer would soon disappear; and where would Santa Clause be then”?

For the Land Conservancy, Trevor chose an undescribed “Crottle Lichen,” or Parmelia, consisting of strap-like lobes pale greyish above and black below. Hummingbirds use Crottle Lichens to camouflage their tiny nests, fastening it to the outside using strands of spider web. It too inhabits the branches of trees, and grows in the Clearwater Valley, where Trevor is working with TLC Goward on a Christmas present for BC Parks: a wildlife corridor linking the two southern lobes of Wells Gray Provincial Park: https://waysofenlichenment.net/wells/corridor project. TLC and its partners need to raise $350,000 for this project.

Recently Trevor decided to auction off the naming rights to some of his newly discovered species in an initiative he calls “taxonomic tithing”:   www.waysofenlichenment.net/tithe/home . “Thousands of new species are described every year,” notes Trevor. “If our auction is successful, it could inspire taxonomists around the world to get involved in auctions of this kind: a whole new niche for conservation fundraising! My dream is that Canadians will lead the way on this initiative!

“I whole-heartedly support efforts to set aside biologically critical portions of B.C.’s forestlands. Putting my new species up for auction for two highly-deserving environmental organizations – one working to protect public lands and the other private lands – allows me to give something back to my home province,” says Goward. “Lately Canadians haven’t been very good at looking after their country. I believe we can do better. What better time to begin than at Christmas”?

Goward is an internationally acclaimed lichenologist who has described about two dozen species and genera of lichens, mostly in western Canada. He is curator of lichens at the University of British Columbia and author of more than 100 scientific papers and several books. His work can be found at:  https://www.waysofenlichenment.net/portal. Goward lives in the Clearwater Valley near Wells Gray Provincial Park north of Kamloops, B.C.

To make a bid, visit the Ancient Forest Alliance’s website https://16.52.162.165/ or phone 250-896-4007, or contact The Land Conservancy at www.conservancy.bc.ca/ or phone 1-877-485-2422. The auction closes on 15 December.

Ancient Forest Alliance campaigner Hannah Carpendale stands amongst the giant old-growth Bigleaf maples in the un-protected Mossy Maple Grove.

Monday, Dec. 5th: SEE BC’s MOST UNIQUE OLD-GROWTH FOREST! AFA Photo Journey & Fundraiser

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DATE: Monday, Dec. 5th

TIME: 7:00-8:30 pm
LOCATION: Ambrosia Center, 638 Fisgard St. near Douglas St.

Ancient Forest Friends,

We are excited to finally share with you the latest, incredible old-growth stand that we’ve come across: the “MOSSY MAPLE RAINFOREST”!

This spectacular forest on Vancouver Island near Cowichan Lake includes the incredible “Mossy Maple Grove”, a…stand of enormous bigleaf maple trees – some as much as 2.5 meters (8 feet) wide – completely draped in hanging gardens of mosses and ferns.

Unlike other spotlighted old-growth forests in BC that have all been “coniferous” or needle-leaf trees (spruce, fir, cedar, etc.), this is an old-growth “deciduous” or broad-leaf rainforest. This area has also been nicknamed “Fangorn Forest” after the forest in The Lord of the Rings.

Please join us MONDAY, Dec. 5th  from 7-8:30pm at the Ambrosia Centre for the SLIDESHOW & FUNDRAISER and a chance to see un-released photos from a second area nearby, the “Mossy Maple Gallery”, as well as of the Mossy Maple Grove, and to learn about this unique ecosystem and how you can help protect it!

Follow the links below to see:

Stunning new photos of the Mossy Maple Grove:  https://16.52.162.165/photos-sub.php?sID=2

Ancient Forest Alliance press release– “Canada’s Mossiest Rainforest” found on Vancouver Island: https://16.52.162.165/news-item.php?ID=329

Also find out more about the status of BC’s old-growth forests and of raw log exports to China, of the Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew and the McLaughlin Ridge near Port Alberni, and what’s in store for 2012 as we approach our 2 year anniversary since our founding!

Take part in a fun Pledge Auction led by Joan Varley to help us raise greatly needed funds for our new organization!

For more info contact: info@ancientforestalliance.org

Hope to see you there!

Ken Wu, TJ Watt, Joan Varley

Ancient Forest Alliance

Hul'qumi'num Chief Treaty Negotiator Robert Morales and and HTG Executive Assistant Rosanne Daniels under the mossy maples.

‘Canada’s mossiest rainforest’ needs protection, Island groups say

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Old-growth forests come in all shapes and sizes and the province should be taking steps to protect that diversity, says Ken Wu of the Ancient Forest Alliance.

The Alliance and Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group have earmarked two stands near Cowichan Lake of giant old-growth bigleaf maple trees, which they’re describing as “Canada’s mossiest rainforest,” and want the provincial government to buy the stands from TimberWest.

“To protect old-growth bigleaf maples on private lands, the government needs to allocate funds to systematically buy up these stands for conservation purposes,” Wu said.

Most of B.C.’s better-known protected old-growth is made up of coniferous trees.

“This type of forest is new to most conservationists and to the general public, few of whom are aware of old-growth deciduous rainforests,” Wu said.

However, forests ministry spokeswoman Jennifer McLarty said big leaf maples are common on southern Vancouver Island in many parks and protected areas.

“There are 862,125 hectares of old-growth forests on Crown land on Vancouver Island and, of that, 225,216 hectares are fully protected in parks, protected areas and old-growth management areas,” McLarty said.

The two stands of maples are on traditional territory of bands belonging to Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group. Chief negotiator Robert Morales said their land-use plan calls for protection of the last old-growth remnants.

“The large-scale clearcutting on our unceded territories is an assault on our culture and on our human rights,” Morales said.

TimberWest did not respond to questions Monday.

Link to full article not currently available, but visit the Times Colonist site here.

Lichen names up for auction

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The Land Conservancy and Ancient Forest Alliance are hoping to bank in on lichens.

After discovering two new lichen species in the southern Interior, lichenoligist Trevor Goward decided to donate the naming rights to raise money for conservation causes.

He passed on the naming rights to be auctioned off to help TLC and the AFA. The deadline for both auctions is Dec. 15.

When biologist Andy McKinnon, from Metchosin, heard his friend Goward, of 30 years, discovered two new lichen species, he was thrilled and bid $3,000 on each auction. But he has been out bid on both. Currently the bids are sitting at $3,500 and $6,000.

“I would love this to attract some major efforts to donate to the cause,” Goward said. “At the moment the bids are absurdly low.”

The money raised for TLC will go towards purchasing a land corridor between two pieces of Wells Grey Park in the southern Interior of B.C.

“We want to create a corridor for the wilderness to cross through,” said TLC northern region manager Barry Booth. He explained currently the wildlife such as grizzly bears and moose already cross through the area which is currently privately owned.

For this project TLC needs to raise more than $350,000.

This project hits close to home for Goward who donated 10-acres of property within the corridor. His neighbour has also donated 62 acres of his property to the cause. Now to secure the corridor TLC needs to purchase an additional 28 acres.

“As the place gets built up (and developed) the animals still need to get from one place to another,” Goward said explaining one side of the park is where the animals spend the winter and the other is their summer range.

The AFA doesn’t have a specific project it will use the money on but has several projects in the works, said Ken Wu AFA executive director.

“A lot of lichens grow in old growth forests, when those forests are gone the lichen will disappear,” Goward said. “I’ve been watching these places disappear my whole life. I feel (the AFA) will make a difference. ”

Some of the projects where the money could be used include, creating a series of educational brochures, covering travel expenses to focus on other areas of B.C., and to help build a campaign in swing ridings across the province to help protect old-growth forests.

Other than raising awareness for the AFA, Wu said he hopes this type of auction gains attention and sparks up other auctions across the world for conservation efforts.

“This is a model. If it’s successful it can stimulate other campaigns,” Wu said.

While the auction is designed to help both conservation groups, it can also make the winning bidder remembered forever.

“The point is you could name it parmelia charlaensis,” McKinnon said siting my name. “This is one of the very few ways you can achieve immortality. If you truly love someone you can immortalize them.”

As an example McKinnon sited Archibald Menzie.

The Douglas fir tree’s scientific name is pseudotsuga menziesii. It was named after Archibald Menzie, who was appointed to be the surgeon and naturalist on the world trip with Captain George Vancouver.

“Today we look at that tree and we remember Archibald Menzie,” said McKinnon. “If you name the lichen 200 years later people will think of you.”

There are already lichens named after Barrack Obama and Sponge Bob Square Pants.

The option for naming the two species is limitless and McKinnon explained it’s open to anyone, including businesses.

“You could name it after a business, you could call it bryoria Wal-Martia,” McKinnon said.

Of the two lichens discovered, one was is bryoria and one is a parmelia.

“The bryoria looks like lustrous brown hair,” McKinnon said adding it is very shiny and can grow up to 10 inches long. “The parmelia looks more like a leaf and is reddish brown.”

Bryoria lichens are a common winter food for the endangered mountain caribou among other animals.

“Without bryoria lichens the mountain caribou would disappear form B.C. and possibly this earth,” McKinnon said.

The parmelia lichens are commonly used as dye for tweed fabrics. Hummingbirds also use it to disguise their nests.

“Lichens are not an organism, it’s a couple living together,” McKinnon said explaining a lichen is made up of about 95 per cent fungus and five per cent alga.

Alga is plant similar to seaweed. It lives inside the fungus and provides the food for the fungus to grow.

“Together they live happily ever after,” McKinnon said.

Goward wants people to step up and help him in is conservation efforts.

“Take a look at Google earth and see what we’ve done,” Goward said.

“In the end it doesn’t matter (about the names) we want to raise funds for habitats for lichens and everything else that lives in the B.C. wildlife places,” McKinnon said.

To bid on the TLC auction call 1-877-485-2422. To place a bid through the Ancient Forest Alliance email info@16.52.162.165 or call 250-896-4007. The deadline is Dec. 15.

[Original Goldstream News Gazette article no longer available]