Clearcutting of Grove of Forest Giants on Northern Vancouver Island – Photos and Videos Document the Destruction

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An ancient cedar tree lies prone amidst the destruction of an old-growth clearcut with myself on the trunk for scale. Likely 700+ years old, this tree and scores of others like it would have been standing just before we arrived that day.

However, in 2022, Western Forest Products began clearcutting 25 hectares (roughly 50 football fields) from an incredible old-growth cedar grove in Quatsino territory on northwestern Vancouver Island, BC.

I was floored by the sheer number of monumental redcedars cut down, some nearly 10 feet (3 m) wide. It’s the most shocking example of industrial old-growth logging I’ve witnessed since the logging in the Caycuse and Nahmint Valleys.

Despite being home to scores of giant trees, this particular grove — and likely hundreds of others — was not included in the BC government’s independent old-growth science panel, the Technical Advisory Panel’s (TAP) original logging deferral recommendations due to the forest being incorrectly labeled as 210 years old in the province’s forest inventory database (40 years younger than the province’s 250-year-old threshold for being considered old-growth on the coast).

The TAP made clear recommendations to the BC government that on-the-ground assessments should be used to identify and defer big-tree old-growth forests that were missed in their preliminary analysis. So far, despite requests from us and others, that has not been happening.

As the BC government moves to protect 30% of BC by 2030, it’s imperative that they set ecosystem-based targets based on science that prioritize the most at-risk old-growth forests, such as those with big trees, for protection.

They must also commit significant provincial funding and conjoin it with major federal funds to support sustainable economic alternatives for First Nations linked to deferrals and new protected areas.

Otherwise, irreplaceable ancient forests like this one will continue to fall.

This photo series was created with support from the Trebek Initiative.

SPEAK UP! SEND a MESSAGE to the BC government calling for the protection of endangered old-growth forests.

The photos and story became the TOP STORY on Apple News for a day as well as the most read article on The Guardian for 48 hours.

Before & After Photos and Need for Conservation Financing to Protect Old-Growth Forests Garners National Headlines

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The urgent need for conservation financing from the BC NDP government to help protect old-growth forests while supporting First Nations, along with my latest before and after photos, has made national headlines.

Tyson Atleo, a Hereditary Chief of the Ahousaht First Nation in Clayoquot Sound, notes, ”Conservation comes with economic costs…especially in communities that depend on forestry revenues. It must be paired with some kind of compensation or support for sustainable economic diversification.” The Ahousaht First Nation has been working to implement their Indigenous-led land-use vision for several years.

Conservation financing is the key element that enabled the large-scale protection of old-growth forests in the Great Bear Rainforest and is now needed elsewhere across BC as the province engages with First Nations to fulfill its commitment to protect old-growth forests.

Where will the money come from? Currently, the federal government has put forward $2.3 billion to expand protected areas in Canada – of which BC’s share could be between $200-$400 million - including a dedicated $55.1 million Old Growth Nature Fund, but only if the province matches this funding. In total, that means that anywhere between $600 million to $1 billion (including some likely additional funding from private and non-governmental sources) could be available to protect vital ecosystems in BC. Negotiations are currently underway to create a BC-Canada Nature Agreement, which is likely to be announced by the end of this year.

This agreement has the potential to be a game-changer for conservation in the province if it’s targeted correctly. Primarily, that means towards the sustainable economic diversification of First Nations’ communities linked to the creation of new Indigenous Protected Areas and focused on the most at-risk old-growth forests, such as those with the biggest trees in the rich valley bottoms, which have been the main target of industry.

The Ancient Forest Alliance has been central in advocating for this funding for years. If you haven’t already, please take a moment and send an instant message calling for conservation financing here:

Read the article below, as well as in the National Post, Globe & Mail, Vancouver Sun, Times Colonist, CHEK News, CBC, and more: https://www.thestar.com/politics/2022/11/27/giant-trees-still-fall-amid-old-growth-funding-lag-for-bc-first-nations.html

Canadian Geographic: Before and after photos show devastating effects of intensive logging on B.C.’s old-growth forests

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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

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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

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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 🌲

A gigantic, old-growth Sitka spruce tree along the Nahwitti Lake trail near Port Alberni & Holberg, BC.

Steller's Jay: Nature's Punk Rocker

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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

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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

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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.