I'm always honored when the opportunity arises to speak about photography and our environment - big or small, all talks present a great chance to have a personal conversation about our human experience on this planet. This week I spoke with a Victoria high school photography class on the topic of Conservation Photography & BC's Ancient Forests. It was around their age when my interest first peaked in photography and I hope that it may have planted some seeds along their path's to the future. If you're a local school group or organization, and would like to host a slideshow presentation, please just shoot me an email! Thanks :)
New Documentary Film on the Ancient Forest Alliance
Super happy to share this new documentary on the Ancient Forest Alliance, produced by friend and filmmaker, Darryl Augustine. The 16 minute video features an overview of the history of the Ancient Forest Alliance, spectacular images of BC’s old-growth forests (shot in 4k), and interviews with myself and Ken Wu, tourism business owners, forestry workers, First Nations, politicians, and individuals in the BC forest conservation movement. It was fun and adventurous working in the woods with Darryl on this and hopefully the film will shed more light on what we do as an organization as well as my role as a conservation photographer in BC. Enjoy!
Press: Endangered Upper Walbran Valley - Photos & News Coverage
Anyone who has been to the Upper Walbran Valley knows it is a truly exceptional place. At the heart of the valley lies the largest contiguous tract of unprotected, lowland old-growth forest left outside of parks on southern Vancouver Island; which includes the Castle Grove and the Central Walbran Ancient Forest. I recently visited the area to photograph signs of new potential logging plans in the core area and the amazing forest that is threatened there. Subsequent to the trip I wrote a blog for Huffington Post British Columbia which they just featured on the front page on their website (above)!
To read the story, see photos, and learn more, please visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/tj-watt/not-all-is-well-bc-woods_b_6201668.html
We also received news coverage on the issue from other major news sources:
- Times Colonist - Taped trees in Walbran valley a red flag for environmental group
- Vancouver Observer - Canada’s grandest old-growth rainforest at risk from logging, survey tape discovered
- Global News video: Old-growth forest at risk of logging on Vancouver Island
And here are a few short clips I filmed while exploring the at-risk forest with my partner Jackie:
It's time to see this jewel of nature saved once and for all!
Autumn Colours Near Lake Cowichan
Autumn, with its rich oranges and yellows, is a beautiful time to be outdoors in many different parts of the world. Here in British Columbia however, in a land where evergreen trees tend to dominate our forests, one has to look a bit harder to find areas bursting the colours we so closely associate with the season. So on an overcast weekend in October, my partner and I went exploring around the creeks and rivers near Lake Cowichan on southern Vancouver Island to find just that. In this region you'll mostly come across younger stands of bigleaf maples and red alders that have grown back after decades of logging but in some places it's still possible to come across small pockets of old-growth deciduous trees. These rare, gentle giants are typically covered from root to crown in thick layers of mosses and licorice ferns, which stand out even more when the leaves have fallen off the trees. Below are a few images from our colour-filled trip. Where are your favourite places to go hunting for Fall colours on the Island or around BC?
Press: Honourable Mention in 'Adventure' - 2014 BC Magazine Photo Contest
Happy to learn that I received an Honourable Mention in the Adventure category of British Columbia Magazine's 2014 Photo Contest. This was my first time photographing mountain biking, making it a fun, fast-paced challenge, and I was stoked to come out with some decent images. After shooting a lot of skateboarding in the past however, there were thankfully some transferable techniques that helped make it a success. Big thanks to the talented riders who let me chase them on foot down hills and through the forest, asking them to fly off cliffs in near darkness while I blinded them with my flash! Congrats to the other winners as well :)
Thanksgiving Weekend
Just returned from two days exploring and documenting unprotected old-growth forests in the Port Alberni region. Shot this photo of my friend Torrance crossing a log over a gorgeous creek during one of our rugged valley treks. This weekend I am most thankful for the fact that there are still a few places left on Vancouver Island where one can go and find themselves in unspoiled nature. In many cases however, the future of said places are at risk. That is why I am also very thankful for the amazing groups of people that are working tirelessly to protect them. Wherever you are this weekend, I hope you are enjoying both your foods and your forests. TJ.
Press: Portrait for Canadian Wildlife
It was great to have the opportunity to meet and photograph biologist Stan Orchard for a recent article in Canadian Wildlife magazine. Stan has been working tirelessly to eradicate the invasive American bullfrog from Vancouver Island as it spreads and takes over the habitat of many native species. A lack of government funding and the sheer number of frogs make for a difficult task but Stan has pioneered his own unique and successful method for capturing them. To learn more, grab the issue of Canadian Wildlife or visit Stan's website, Bullfrog Control.
New Old-Growth Logging Images From Port Renfrew Region
Last week I took a long and rough drive up and around the Gordon River Valley and Braden Creek areas near Port Renfrew on southern Vancouver Island. It's been a year or so since I'd driven the same loop and I was curious of what had changed. Sadly, but not to my greatest surprise, many of the old-growth areas I previously spotted were now logged or roaded. The clearcuts continue to extend higher and higher up the steep mountainsides as industry pushes towards the end of this precious resource, leaving barren landscapes and tree plantations in its wake. Here are a few images from my trip.
