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Recent old-growth logging by Island Timberlands on McLaughlin Ridge near Port Alberni.

To Darshan Sihota, CEO of Island Timberlands, and Steve Thomson, BC Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations:

Jul 21 2014/in Announcements

To Darshan Sihota, CEO of Island Timberlands, and Steve Thomson, BC Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations:

We, the undersigned organizations, are greatly concerned about the rapid logging by Island Timberlands of McLaughlin Ridge near Port Alberni. We urge both the BC government and Island Timberlands to ensure that this critical area and the remaining old growth forests on Vancouver Island in similar situations are not logged.

A few hundred hectares of extremely endangered old-growth forests still stand – for now – on McLaughlin Ridge. This includes major stands of ancient Douglas-fir trees, the overwhelming majority of which have been logged on BC’s coast. McLaughlin Ridge has been recognized by the provincial government’s own biologists as one of the most important habitats for the red-listed or endangered Queen Charlotte Goshawk and as one of the finest ungulate wintering ranges on Vancouver Island.

McLaughlin Ridge is part of 78,000 hectares of land that were removed from Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 44 on Vancouver Island in 2004, thereby removing the environmental policies and/or regulations designed to protect species at risk, old-growth forests, ungulate winter ranges, and riparian areas; to control the rate of cut; and that prohibited raw log exports in order to protect local mills.

McLaughlin Ridge was supposed to be protected by the provincial government as an Ungulate Winter Range (UWR) and Wildlife Habitat Area (WHA), until the province’s plans changed when it removed the lands from Tree Farm Licence 44. The removal of the lands from TFL 44 included the stipulation from the BC government that a follow-up agreement be developed between the company and the government to ensure the protection of McLaughlin Ridge and other intended UWR’s and WHA’s – however, both parties failed to pursue the agreement, and the lands are now being logged. This confirms the basis of the tremendous public opposition to the removal of these lands from the TFL, as our worst fears regarding this major policy shift are now being realized.

In total, about 2400 hectares of endangered old-growth forests originally intended for protection by the BC government as Ungulate Winter Ranges and Wildlife Habitat Areas in TFL 44 are now endangered. These lands also include Horne Mountain above the world-famous Cathedral Grove, the Cameron Valley Firebreak, Katlum Creek, and other areas – about two-thirds of which are estimated to have now been logged. Much of McLaughlin Ridge could be logged within a few short weeks at the current pace of falling.

Time is short, and we are asking that Island Timberlands and the BC government show leadership to prevent the escalation and widening of the conflict over the company’s logging operations.

We are asking that:

Island Timberlands immediately cease and desist from logging McLaughlin Ridge and other such critically endangered old-growth forests, including those formerly intended for protection by the provincial government in TFL 44.
The provincial government take responsibility and show leadership by working towards a conservation solution for these lands. The Ministry of FLNRO must follow through on the stipulation it made regarding the conservation of these known wildlife habitats when it was announced these lands would be removed from the Tree Farm Licence in 2004.

Sincerely,

Port Alberni Watershed-Forest Alliance
Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA)
Alberni Environmental Coalition
Arrowsmith Parks and Land-use Council
Canopy
Council of Canadians – Port Alberni branch
Canadian Parks And Wilderness Society (CPAWS)
ForestEthics
Friends of Clayoquot Sound
Greenpeace Canada
Island Stance
Pulp, Paper, and Woodworkers of Canada (PPWC) union
Save the Day
Sierra Club BC
Valhalla Wilderness Society
Wilderness Committee

Tsilhqot’in ruling means Douglas Treaty Implementation, says Kwakiutl Chief

Jul 20 2014/in News Coverage

Tsaxis, Kwakiutl Territory (Port Hardy), BC, July 2, 2014 /CNW/ – Kwakiutl First Nation Chief Coreen Child says the Tsilhqot'in court victory on Thursday, June 26, 2014, proves that Vancouver Island First Nations with Douglas Treaties already demonstrated Aboriginal Title over 160 years ago.

“We are deeply moved by the resolve of the Tsilhqot'in people. The ruling will have far reaching impacts on First Nations and the Crown governments. For Kwakiutl, the Supreme Court of Canada's declaration reaffirms that the 1851 Douglas Treaty proves Aboriginal title—and that the Government has not lived up to its promises,” says Chief Child.

Kwakiutl First Nation intervened on the Tsilhqot'in case to address two fundamental issues—the proper test of Aboriginal title and the application of provincial legislation on Aboriginal title lands.

The Tsilhqot'in win reinforces a BC Supreme Court decision, made on June 17, 2013, which found the Province of British Columbia had breached its legal duties by denying the existence of Kwakiutl's inherent title & treaty rights. Further, the BC decision found that BC and Canada had failed to implement and respect the Crown's 163 year-old Douglas Treaties, and 'encouraged and challenged' the governments to begin fair negotiations “without any further litigation, expense or delay.”

“”The Supreme Court of Canada rejected the “small spots” strategy argued by Canada and recognized and affirmed that First Nation view of Territorial Title is the basis for engagement with First Nations”,” says Councillor Davina Hunt.

Since 2004, the BC government has been granting the removal of private lands from Tree Farm licenses located within Kwakiutl territory without Kwakiutl consent. Consequently, businesses, companies, and governments have exploited Kwakiutl lands with impunity.

“BC forestry decision making is one example of Treaty infringement,” says Councillor Jason Hunt. “In 163 years, the Crown, first as Colony, then as BC and Canada, built entire economies on North Vancouver Island without First Nations consent. They have exploited our lands and waters, and marginalized our people.”

The Kwakiutl believe that Crown governments and industry will have to meaningfully engage on a deeper level with respect to Aboriginal title and Treaty when proposing to make decisions or conduct business on First Nations territories.

“The recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling reflects the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) in that a First Nation views and perspectives of Territorial Land Use must be dealt with in all government decisions consistent with Free, Prior and Informed consent” says Chief Bob Chamberlin, Union of BC Indian Chiefs Vice President and states further “that the Federal and Provincial Governments must engage with full recognition of the scope and intent of the Douglas Treaty as the basis of the relationship with the Kwakiutl First Nation.”

Chief Perry Bellegarde, Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief and portfolio holder for Treaties, supports this position. “The Crown has suspended its legal obligations to the Kwakiutl for nearly two centuries. Given that the historic Tsilhqot'in Supreme Court ruling confirms the principle of Aboriginal title, it is essential the Crown fulfills its covenant with the First Peoples of Canada. We strongly urge the federal and provincial governments to act definitively, and act now, in executing their duties to consult and accommodate with First Nations within the intended spirit and intent of Treaties.”

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Avatar Grove Boardwalk Construction Weekends

Jul 18 2014/in Announcements

The Ancient Forest Alliance is looking for dedicated, considerate, and capable volunteers to help construct the Avatar Grove boardwalk this summer on the weekends of July 26/27 & August 23/24 in Port Renfrew, BC.

Volunteers must be able to follow instructions accurately, be in good physical condition to do the work, and act safely, responsibly and respectfully without exception. Activities may include carrying heavy boardwalk planks, bucketing gravel, using hand tools, digging soil, moving rocks, etc. as well as having fun. See a photo gallery of the work we've completed so far: https://on.fb.me/1nyR7Mt

Please send an email with your availability, any related experience and physical limitations we should be aware of, and contact information to Avatar Boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt at: info@ancientforestalliance.org

Announcements

Help AFA raise $250,000 by December 31st – we’re over halfway there!

Dec 15 2025

Support the protection of old-growth forests in BC through Indigenous-led conservation, science, and public action. Donate to help safeguard ancient forests.

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An aerial of a BCTS cutblock in the Nahmint Valley

News Coverage

Chek News: Document reveals approval to harvest remnant old-growth in B.C.’s northwest

Dec 8 2025

BC Timber Sales has ended a policy protecting remnant old-growth in northwest B.C., citing First Nations’ positions, sparking concerns from ecologists and residents.

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Thank You to Our Silent Auction business Donors!

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Thank you to these local businesses for generously donating items and experiences to our first-ever online Silent Auction!

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Ancient Forest Alliance photographer and campaign director TJ Watt stands beside the fallen remains of an ancient western redcedar approximately 9 feet (3 metres) wide, cut down by BC Timber Sales in the Nahmint Valley near Port Alberni in Hupačasath, Tseshaht, and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation territory. (2024)

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Statement on the Provincial Forest Advisory Council’s Interim Report – AFA & EEA

Nov 21 2025

The Provincial Forest Advisory Council’s (PFAC) interim report falls short of addressing the root causes of BC’s forestry crisis or outlining the bold, decisive actions needed to reverse it, warn the Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) and Endangered Ecosystem Alliance (EEA).

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