Environmentalists who blocked construction of a forestry road on the Sunshine Coast for more than five weeks have won a temporary victory in their bid to stop logging of an old-growth forest identified as a prime spot for black bear dens.
B.C. Timber Sales won’t put the forest up for sale as planned on Oct. 1 and instead is “going to consider its options over the winter”...
A July 2014 report by consulting biologist Wayne McCrory found “very high-quality old-growth den habitat” in the Dakota Valley near Sechelt. Based on field work within two of four cutblocks proposed for sale, he extrapolated that logging of the overall 64 hectares would impact about 32 active bear dens.
The dens he investigated were within the trunk or cavity of cedar trees at elevations of 700 to 920 metres. Three-quarters of the best old-growth den habitat has already been logged in the area, McCrory observed, adding it is important to protect what little remains.
Ross Muirhead and Hans Penner, environmental campaigners with Elphinstone Logging Focus, said in an interview that they hope suspension of the sale will give the province time to consider the ecological and cultural values of the Dakota Valley — and not just timber values.
“Any delay in issuing the cutblock is good news,” Muirhead said. “It gives both sides more time to study the other features.”
Thank You to Patagonia & Patagonia Vancouver!
The Ancient Forest Alliance would like to thank Patagonia and Patagonia Vancouver for their major support through their grassroots environmental grant program, helping us to build an ancient forest movement across BC’s Lower Mainland! See Patagonia’s website at: https://www.patagonia.com/ca and visit the Patagonia Vancouver store online at: https://www.patagonia.com/us/patagonia.go?assetid=96713
B.C. suspends sale of ancient forest on Sunshine Coast identified as hot spot for bear dens
Environmentalists who blocked construction of a forestry road on the Sunshine Coast for more than five weeks have won a temporary victory in their bid to stop logging of an old-growth forest identified as a prime spot for black bear dens. B.C. Timber Sales won’t put the forest up for sale as planned on Oct. 1 and instead is “going to consider its options over the winter”... A July 2014 report by consulting biologist Wayne McCrory found “very high-quality old-growth den habitat” in the Dakota Valley near Sechelt. Based on field work within two of four cutblocks proposed for sale, he extrapolated that logging of the overall 64 hectares would impact about 32 active bear dens. The dens he investigated were within the trunk or cavity of cedar trees at elevations of 700 to 920 metres. Three-quarters of the best old-growth den habitat has already been logged in the area, McCrory observed, adding it is important to protect what little remains. Ross Muirhead and Hans Penner, environmental campaigners with Elphinstone Logging Focus, said in an interview that they hope suspension of the sale will give the province time to consider the ecological and cultural values of the Dakota Valley — and not just timber values. “Any delay in issuing the cutblock is good news,” Muirhead said. “It gives both sides more time to study the other features.”
Logging protestors win temporary victory on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast
Congratulations to the conservationists with the Elphinstone Logging Focus in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast who got a temporary reprieve from BC Timber Sales for a tract of threatened old-growth yellow cedar forest in the Dakota Bowl through their protests, campaigns, reports, and constant efforts!
Drones used in BC’s Old-Growth Forest Campaigns – Walbran Valley conflict escalates
Conservationists are employing a new tool in the battle to protect BC’s endangered old-growth forests – remotely-piloted drones. The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) is using a small drone equipped with a GoPro camera to monitor and document the endangered old-growth forests of the Central Walbran Valley on Vancouver Island. This has allowed the organization to capture aerial video footage of old-growth forests threatened by logging on steep, rugged terrain that otherwise would take hours to hike to.
Tall Tree Capital: Spectacular Avatar Grove shows that environmentalism and tourism can work hand in hand
Check out the article and photos (by the AFA's TJ Watt) on the Avatar Grove, Ancient Forest Alliance, and tourism in Port Renfrew, on pages 25 to 27 in Soar Magazine (an airport magazine in Nova Scotia).
New Boardwalk Construction, Old-Growth Expeditions, & Eco-Campaigns – Please Help the AFA Now!
As the hot dry days of summer wind down, the Ancient Forest Alliance is gearing up for a busy fall season of expeditions, campaigns, and boardwalk/trail construction projects! We have a lot underway, but in particular we need your financial help for three major projects... READ MORE!
New Photo Gallery and Time-Lapse of Avatar Grove Boardwalk Construction!
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. n 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. They also installed a beautiful new bench by the Gnarly Tree!
VIDEO: "Did You Know?" Ancient Trees on Shaw TV
Here is another "Did You Know" clip by the AFA's Ken Wu on Shaw TV, this time regarding BC's largest trees (Red Creek Fir, Cheewhat Giant, Big Lonely Doug, Lynn Valley's historical giants) and the threat to the Central Walbran Ancient Forest. The AFA's Hannah Carpendale is seen walking around the largest trees in Canada.
Forests on the March
Be sure to check out AFA photographer TJ Watt's photo of a sitka spruce forest near Nitinat Lake in the latest issue of Scientific American magazine! The article speaks with Dr. Sally Aitken of the UBC Faculty of Forestry on her work to help trees adapt to a rapidly changing climate. Sally has also helped with the recent revival of the BC Big Tree Registry as well!
VIDEO: "Did You Know?" Old-Growth Forest on Shaw TV
Here is a "Did you Know?" clip on Shaw TV this week featuring the AFA's Ken Wu talking about BC's old-growth forests, their importance, and their continued endangerment on Vancouver Island by industrial logging.