Blog Archive Layout

AFA Photographer, Big-Tree Hunter, and National Geographic Explorer TJ Watt Delivers Powerful TEDxVictoria Talk on Protecting Old-Growth Forests in BC 

Victoria, BC – TJ Watt, renowned Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) photographer, big-tree hunter, and National Geographic Explorer, took the stage at TEDxVictoria 2024 to deliver his talk titled One Last Shot to Protect Old-Growth Forests in British Columbia. Combining his award-winning photography with nearly two decades of experience advocating for endangered old-growth forests, Watt issued an urgent and passionate call for the permanent protection of these irreplaceable ecosystems.

See the talk here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=enF8Zf4EPNg

“I’m honoured to have been a TEDxVictoria speaker and to have the opportunity to share my life’s mission to protect endangered old-growth forests in BC with the world,” said Watt. “These forests are among the most majestic, vital, and imperilled ecosystems on Earth; without protection, they are at risk of being lost forever. Over 80% of the productive old-growth forests have already been logged on Vancouver Island, including well over 90% of the valley bottoms where the biggest trees grow and the richest biodiversity resides. From uncovering groves of ancient giants to trudging up steep mountainsides or slogging through soaked clear-cuts, it’s been a beautiful and, many times, heartbreaking journey documenting old-growth forests.”

As a conservation photographer, Watt has dedicated his life to capturing the beauty and destruction of old-growth forests in BC. His TEDxVictoria Talk takes viewers on a visual and emotional journey of his experience tracking down some of the grandest yet most endangered forests on the planet while leading campaigns to protect them. Among these efforts is the landmark victory of protecting Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory and helping to secure major conservation financing to support the creation of new protected areas across BC. His viral “before and after” photos have also exposed the devastating impacts of old-growth logging in BC.

“Old-growth forests are extraordinary—some of the ancient trees are as wide as a living room, as tall as a downtown skyscraper, and have lived to be more than a thousand years old,” Watt explains. “Yet, in British Columbia, their destruction from industrial logging continues at an alarming rate. Cutting down thousand-year-old trees and turning them into 2x4s and toilet paper is like grinding up castles in Europe into gravel to make highways. It’s unethical and unnecessary. Most of the world is now logging second, third, and fourth-growth forests. We must ensure a swift transition to a truly sustainable, value-added, second-growth forestry industry in BC. By investing in technology that makes higher-value wood products from smaller-diameter trees, we can protect old-growth forests and forestry jobs at the same time. We have a global responsibility to do the right thing. I hope my talk will raise widespread awareness of this issue and inspire people to stand with me and help protect these irreplaceable ecosystems for our generation and those still to come.”

Born and raised in Metchosin on southern Vancouver Island, BC, Watt’s photography and environmental advocacy have established him as a leading voice in the movement to protect old-growth forests in BC and transition to a more sustainable, value-added second-growth forestry industry. His contributions have earned him recognition as a National Geographic Explorer and a Royal Canadian Geographical Society Explorer after he was granted support through the Trebek Initiative. Earlier this year, his image of a monumental redcedar he found on Flores Island in Ahousaht territory was awarded in the prestigious Royal Geographical Society Earth Photo 2024 contest in London and later featured in The Guardian and CNN.

This month, the Ancient Forest Alliance launched a social media campaign featuring Watt’s TEDxVictoria Talk to amplify his message and reach thousands of new viewers. With a newly elected BC government in place and the fate of many endangered old-growth forests still hanging in the balance, his call to action comes at a pivotal moment for the future of ancient forests in BC. Namely, there is still a need for the BC government to take a proactive, science-based approach to ensuring the most at-risk old-growth forests are targeted for protection and to deliver “solutions space” funding to help First Nations offset lost logging revenues when being asked to accept logging deferrals in their unceded territories.

To watch TJ’s TEDxVictoria Talk, see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=enF8Zf4EPNg

About Ancient Forest Alliance 

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) is a registered charitable organization working to protect endangered old-growth forests and ensure a sustainable, second-growth forest industry in BC. We work to educate and mobilize British Columbians to pressure politicians to achieve our goals. We partner with First Nations to help advance old-growth conservation initiatives in their territories; explore and photograph endangered old-growth forests; garner major news media coverage to inform the public; organize hikes, slideshows, and rallies; build support among non-traditional allies, such as businesses, unions, faith groups, and others; lobby politicians; produce important educational materials; and much more.

About TEDxVictoria

TEDx is a grassroots initiative created in the spirit of TED’s overall mission to research and discover “ideas worth spreading.” TEDx brings the spirit of TED to local communities around the globe through TEDx events organized by passionate individuals who seek to share the latest research in their local areas that spark conversations in their communities. TEDx events include live speakers and recorded TED Talks and are organized independently under a free license granted by TED. More than 3000 events are now held annually, and TEDx has over 42 million YouTube subscribers. 2024 was the first year TEDxVictoria took place in a decade. The theme of this year was “It’s up to us.”