See this new article by Madigan Cotterill in Canadian Geographic featuring my latest before and after photo series of old-growth logging in the Caycuse Valley on Vancouver Island, BC: https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/before-and-after-photos-show-devastating-effects-of-intensive-logging-on-b-c-s-old-growth-forests/
Ancient Forests of BC: TJ Watt Photo Exhibition, Presentation, & Fundraiser Oct. 27th, 2022
in Fine Art Prints, Press
I'm excited to share that my first major photo exhibition in a decade will be taking place from Oct. 26th-30th at the Mahon Hall on Salt Spring Island!
See: https://ancientforestalliance.org/tj-watt-photo-exhibition-salt-spring-island/
The show will feature 20 large-scale images that will be mounted on aluminum, signed, and for sale as a fundraiser for the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance and Nature-Based Solutions Foundation, organizations that Ancient Forest Alliance regularly partners with.
There will also be a special event night with snacks and presentations from myself and Ken Wu on Thursday, Oct. 27th from 6:30-9:00pm. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the door or online here.
The event open to the public free of charge from 10am-5pm between Oct. 26th-30th as well.
For those who can't attend in person, there is an online store where prints can be purchased.
I hope to see you there and be sure to share the details with any folks you know that might like to go!
Nahwitti Lake Old-Growth Trail
in Forests
On the shores of Nahwitti Lake between the towns of Holberg and Port Hardy in Tlatlasikwala & Quatsino Territory stands one of the loveliest little old-growth trails on Vancouver Island. This gentle path winds through a lush old-growth forest and features massive Sitka spruce trees that soar majestically from enchanting fields of ferns before ending at the shores of the lake. In a landscape that’s been almost entirely cleared of its ancient giants, it provides a stunning glimpse into the grand forests that once grew here.
This big tree trail could also be a major ecotourism draw - similar to Avatar Grove in Port Renfrew - and should be added to the list of must-see north island wilderness destinations such as San Josef Bay and the North Coast Trail.
To visit the trees, find the recreation site trailhead in a small parking area just off Holberg Rd on the east end of Nahwitti Lake (50.697842, -127.812370). Be sure to support local business community as well, helping them benefit from big tree tourism 🌲
Steller's Jay: Nature's Punk Rocker
in Wildlife
With their bright blue feathers, stylish mohawk, and mischievous behaviour, the Steller’s Jay is like nature’s punk rocker. Part of the corvid family, they’re known to be among the most intelligent in the avian world. They’re also excellent mimics with a large repertoire that includes other birds, animals, and even mechanical objects. I once heard a Jay imitating a Red-tailed Hawk, which is thought to be a tactic used to try and scare other birds away. These guys are truly something special so take a moment to appreciate the beauty of BC’s provincial bird up close.
Anna's Hummingbird Babies
in Wildlife
The little hummingbird family I fed over winter had babies!! Three little zippers have been growing up quick right in my backyard and it’s been a wonder to watch them. They make little ‘peeping’ sounds and just melt your heart. More might be on the way as well! Ah, quite the proud sugar daddy right now 😊
Carmanah Valley From Above
An aerial view over the stunning Carmanah Valley in Ditidaht territory. Flying over the south coast, one quickly realizes just how hard it is to find a view of unbroken wilderness like this.
Nearly everywhere you look is a patchwork of clearcuts, second or third growth plantations, tufts of old-growth sprinkled about, and roads - everywhere roads.
It can almost feel strange then to see a sea of unbroken green like this. Like an emerald blanket, the forests wrap around every nook and cranny, peak and valley, for as far as the eye can see.
Knowing that this area is protected fills me gratitude, wonder, and joy. As a big tree seeker, staring down at the tapestry of tall trees has my mind spinning about what future adventures in this valley might uncover.
The old-growth forests of Carmanah wouldn’t still be here today though if it wasn’t for hard-fought efforts in the 1980’s and 90’s to stop clearcut logging by Macmillan Bloedel. It stands as a testament to the fact that your efforts can and do make a difference.
Let’s keep working together to protect the remaining endangered old-growth forests in BC for ours and future generations to cherish and explore.
Carmanah Valley Exploration - Spring 2022
Here are some of the big and beautiful trees we encountered on our recent explorations of the Carmanah Valley.
Leaving the flats, we encountered some amazing cedars on the slopes; a unique sight to see in a valley most famed for its big spruce trees.
The dark shadows of massive trees would loom in the distance, drawing us ever further into the mystery of what might lay ahead.
Crossing over creeks and under fallen logs, we wandered our way into some truly special spots, such as one that looked like perfect place for a picnic with its flat, mossy ground and 8-9 giant Sitkas in a single grove.
The weather was constantly changing as well from sunshine, to hail, to snow, and back to sun. When the sun did shine, it’s soft light would give the moss adorning the tree trunks a magical golden glow.
After ten hours of bushwhacking the first day and eight the next, it was time to head home. As my friend Ian says, this type of exploring invigorates the soul while it exhausts the body. As we hiked out through slushy mud puddles while being pelted by incessant hail, physically destroyed but mentally blissed out, I couldn’t have agreed more.
With its sweeping valley bottoms and rolling slopes protected and intact, Carmanah leaves you wondering what natural wonders are still hidden out there. Only time and further exploration will tell…
Carmanah Valley: New Giant Spruce Tree Identified
in Exploration, Forests
UPDATE - 2024: We’ve since climbed and documented this tree with professional climbers! See the photos and story and watch the incredible video too!
At 12.5ft wide, over 250ft tall, and with a crown that is a world unto itself, this Sitka spruce may now be the largest known tree in the Carmanah Valley.
We came across it last weekend when myself and some friends were exploring in the park. After a long day of bushwhacking, daylight fading, and snow beginning to fall, its giant, multi-forked canopy caught our eye from a distance. We bumped into another group of big tree seekers before making our way over to this Goliath of the woods, shouting with excitement as we approached it.
Certain trees just enter into a different category of big and this would be one of them. It can be hard to comprehend their incredible age and immense size. To be in their presence is both humbling and inspiring, and fills you with stoke!!
The Carmanah Valley is special place. Protected in the 1990’s after hard fought conservation battles, it is home to some of, if not the the very best, old-growth Sitka spruce stands in the country. It’s also famous for having the tallest tree known in Canada, the Carmanah Giant, which stands 315ft or 95m tall.
With its sweeping valley bottoms and rolling slopes all still intact, it leaves you wondering what else could be out there. For now, this appears to be the biggest, but more could surely be in store. Only time and further exploration will tell!
The Easter egg hunt continues…
