Take a few minutes to read this new, in-depth article by good friend and filmmaker Daniel J Pierce on the crisis in BC's forests and where we need to head. Comments from Valerie Langer, Adam Olsen, Arnold Bercov, Vicky Husband, Herb Hammond, and Ken Wu. It also features some of my photos from across Vancouver Island. Article: https://thenarwhal.ca/25-years-after-clayoquot-sound-blockades-the-war-in-the-woods-never-ended-and-its-heating-back-up/
Press
Guest Judge for British Columbia Magazine 2017 Photo Contest
in Press, Published and News, Gear
Thanks to the fine folks at British Columbia Magazine for inviting me to be the guest judge of their 2017 Photo Contest! Grab a copy of the latest issue to view the winning pics and a feature on the gear I use in the field.
Reader's Digest: The Loneliest Tree In Canada
Standing in line at the grocery store or waiting at the doctor's office, I never guessed that one of my photos would end up in a Reader's Digest, but this shot of Matthew Beatty climbing Big Lonely Doug is featured in the latest issue with a story by Harley Rustad. I wonder if Doug knows just how famous he's become?
New Documentary: Giant Tree Hunters
in Video, Exploration, Forests, Drone, Logging, Press, Published and News
I'm excited to share the new documentary Giant Tree Hunters about the efforts to find and protect Canada's largest trees and grandest old-growth temperate rainforests on Vancouver Island! The film features the activities of Ancient Forest Alliance campaigners Ken Wu and myself; 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. It was produced by Nootka St. Film Company for Telus Optik TV. Huge thanks to everyone who brought this project to life!
New Documentary: "No Degree of Scarcity"
in Video, Press, Published and News, Logging, Forests, Exploration, Drone
In his new 8-minute documentary titled No Degree of Scarcity, renowned US filmmaker Joe Callander highlights Big Lonely Doug and old-growth logging on Vancouver Island. Joe came to the island for a brief stint and followed myself and Ken Wu of the Ancient Forest Alliance through the clearcut around Big Lonely Doug by Edinburgh Mountain and to the Walbran Valley. He also spoke with Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce president Dan Hager about old-growth forests and the local economy. The video includes some of my photography and drone footage as well. Thanks to Joe for taking the time to cover this story. You can see more of his films here.
Ahousaht First Nation Bans Industrial Logging & Mining In Their Traditional Territory
in Forests, Published and News, Press, Aerial
In what is the largest leap forward in old-growth forest protection on Vancouver Island in decades, the Ahousaht First Nation band recently announced their land use plan vision that prohibits industrial logging, mining, and oil and gas development in 82% of their 170,000 hectare territory while supporting sustainable economic development in selected areas. Their territory in Clayoquot Sound near Tofino is home to the largest tracts of old-growth forests of any Vancouver Island band. I'm deeply grateful for the incredible leadership shown by the members of this community and for the hard work of the conservation organizations involved as well. Knowing that wild places like the Sydney Valley (pictured above) have finally been declared safe is an amazing feeling. It's nice to have some good news every once and a while.
- Ahousaht First Nation's press release with maps: www.mhssahousaht.ca/news/press-release-ahousaht-land-use-vision
- STAND.earth's press release: www.stand.earth/latest/ahousaht-announcement
- DeSmog Canada article featuring my photo: www.desmog.ca/2017/01/27/first-nation-just-banned-industrial-logging-and-mining-vancouver-island-territory
- Times Colonist news article: www.timescolonist.com/business/island-first-nation-bans-mining-and-clearcutting-1.9279987
Photos on Display at Axe & Barrel Pub Near Victoria
I'm excited to share that I have 13 photos hanging in the Axe & Barrel Pub just outside Victoria! At the start of summer, the pub's owners approached me looking to create a 'westcoast forest' theme for the building's interior that highlighted local areas. Together we curated a series that includes images of beautiful places such as the Carmanah Valley, Avatar Grove, Big Lonely Doug, Strathcona Park, and the West Coast Trail. The prints - which range in size from 20"x30" to 24"x36" - were printed and mounted on aluminum die-bond, then protected with a laminate coating by Alan at Artbox in Victoria. They did a fantastic job! Hanging them on the uneven surface of the logs was its own challenge though ;)
If you happen to be in the area, pop in for a burger or beer, and check them out! Big thanks again to Ron and Diana for supporting my work as well.
If you're interested in prints like these for your home or business, drop me a line at prints@tjwatt.com
The Walrus Magazine - Big Lonely Doug
The Walrus Magazine has recently published a story about Big Lonely Doug, the forestry worker Dennis Cronin who decided to leave him standing, and the battle for old-growth forests on Vancouver Island. The article by Harley Rustad features two of my photos, along with one from Dennis which shows the tree standing in the forest (never thought I would see that view!). Let's hope Doug's message is heard loud and clear and we save his old-growth friends who remain endangered on Edinburgh Mt. and across BC. Read the article here: https://thewalrus.ca/big-lonely-doug/
Here are some behind the scenes shots from my time showing writer Harley Rustad around to Big Lonely Doug and the adjacent Eden Grove, one of Vancouver Island's most spectacular and endangered ancient forests that was once part of the forest around Doug.
