Help AFA raise $250,000 by December 31st – we’re over halfway there!
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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TJ Watt2025-12-15 15:20:282025-12-15 17:55:17Help AFA raise $250,000 by December 31st – we’re over halfway there!
Chek News: Document reveals approval to harvest remnant old-growth in B.C.’s northwest
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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TJ Watt2025-12-08 13:49:362025-12-08 13:49:36Chek News: Document reveals approval to harvest remnant old-growth in B.C.’s northwest
Thank You to Our Silent Auction business Donors!
Thank you to these local businesses for generously donating items and experiences to our first-ever online Silent Auction!
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TJ Watt2025-12-08 13:17:322025-12-08 13:50:51Thank You to Our Silent Auction business Donors!
Statement on the Provincial Forest Advisory Council’s Interim Report – AFA & EEA
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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TJ Watt2025-11-21 10:13:452025-11-21 10:15:43Statement on the Provincial Forest Advisory Council’s Interim Report – AFA & EEA
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Ancient Yellow-Cedar Forest at Risk in the Roberts Creek Headwaters Ancient Forest, Sunshine Coast, BC
/in News CoverageRoberts Creek, BC – Local environmental groups are calling on the BC government to establish an Ecological Reserve on approximately 15 hectares of endangered old-growth forest located on public (Crown) land at the headwaters of Roberts Creek on BC’s Lower Sunshine Coast. The mid elevation forest, located about 7 kilometres northeast of the community Roberts Creek, is proposed to be logged by BC Timber Sales (BCTS).
The forest is the closest old-growth yellow-cedar forest to Sunshine Coast Highway 101, between Gibsons and Sechelt (a 40 minute ferry ride from Vancouver) making it also a high potential eco-tourism destination.
See a spectacular photo gallery of the forest here: Roberts Creek Headwaters
(*Note: media are free to reprint photos. Credit to TJ Watt when possible. Please contact us if you need higher-res images)
“The proposed cutblocks are located between two designated Wildlife Habitat Areas that were created to protect threatened marbled murrelets – logging would split this habitat in half,” stated Ross Muirhead of Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF), a Sunshine Coast forest protection group. “BCTS Planners must acknowledge that connectivity of existing WHAs is an important land-use objective and to that end do the right thing and protect it either as a WHA extension or better still as an Ecological Reserve.”
The forest, named the “Roberts Creek Headwaters Ancient Forest” is on Squamish First Nation’s traditional territory and is threatened by BCTS’ proposed cutblock DK045. The cutblock was first put up for sale in 2010 but was halted at the last minute by the request of the Archaeological Branch of BC in July, 2012 after receiving photos from ELF members of what appeared to be culturally modified trees (CMT) within the block. Professional archaeologists, Jim Stafford and John Maxwell, contracted by ELF, visited the site in 2013 and confirmed the existence of 17 CMTs located within the block. Subsequently, the Archaeological Branch in Victoria mapped out 7 protected Archaeological Sites. BCTS then applied for a ‘site alteration permit’ to cut down the CMTs, which was granted by the Branch.
Another unique characteristic of this forest is an exceptional stand of Pacific Yew trees growing near the bases of yellow-cedars. Over 350 Yews were counted by ELF within the block. Gary Fletcher, of the Friends of Ecological Reserves, visited the site and nominated the “Roberts Creek Headwaters Ancient Forest” to the government as an Ecological Reserve to highlight this outstanding example of the old-growth dependent Pacific Yew.
Currently, the sale of the block has been delayed yet again to March, 2014 as BCTS awaits the results of an ecological and cultural survey by Ministry of Forest researchers.
“With the case that ELF has built, BCTS should withdraw its logging proposal for Block DK045 and grant it protected status once and for all,” states Ancient Forest Alliance campaigner and photographer TJ Watt, who recently documented the area. “This forest is regionally-important to the Sunshine Coast. There is little of this productive forest left at this elevation. The BC government must set aside both this forest and stop all logging of rare, endangered old-growth forests across the Province.”
Old-growth forests are vital for supporting endangered species, unique biodiversity, tourism, recreation, the climate, clean water, wild salmon, and First Nations cultures.
To see new before and after maps of BC’s old-growth forests click here: www.ancientforestalliance.org/old-growth-maps.php
Petition to protect Old Growth Cedar in the Duncan River Area
/in Take ActionLocal activists are working to help save endangered old-growth redcedar trees in the Duncan River area near Kaslo, BC.
Sign the petition here: www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/bc-timber-sales-stop-cutting-old-growth-cedar-in-the-duncan-river-area
“Located 58 km from the nearest highway, stands a grove of just under a 1000 trees. The last of the old growth cedars left up the “Duncan”. Situated between the Duncan River and a beautiful, lively swamp, these trees provide an essential corridor for the lives that now depend on them. From beavers to bears (see den in picture above), these trees are home to some of the hardiest animals around. They provide winter shelter for everything from weasels, to owls, & ungulets. Cougars, wolves & grizzlies use it to travel. Kokanee fish spawn in channels protected by the trees where eagles perch to hunt. Rare lichens, mushrooms and flowers grow here.
With many of the trees in this grove being in B.C.'s top 10% (for size), of course B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) contractors want to cut it. We have seen what taking these trees will do to the life left behind: Silt released into waterways clogs spawning channels, waste logs are left to fuel the next forest fire, organisms (moss, lichens, rodents, insects, plants, etc.) lose what no amount of silviculture can replace. They call this a decadent forest, because the trees are very old (200 years + ), usually with hollow hearts (which are not very marketable). Standing, this decadent forest provides shade, a carbon sink, and irreplacable homes for millions of organisms.”
Friend of the Earth Award for Environmental Excellence in Metchosin Presented to TJ Watt of the Ancient Forest Alliance
/in AnnouncementsThe Metchosin municipal council has given Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) campaigner and photographer TJ Watt official recognition for his exceptional contribution towards environmental sustainability. Watt is the recipient of the 2013 “Friend of the Earth” Award, an environmental award presented each year for over a decade to a Metchosin resident whose contribution towards conserving the province’s natural beauty has been particularly outstanding. The award was presented by Metchosin councillor Moralea Milne on Sunday during the annual Metchosin Day festival.
Watt, 29, grew up in Metchosin and has explored the forested hills, valleys, and old-growth trees throughout the municipality and much of Vancouver Island over the years.
In 2010 Watt helped co-found the Ancient Forest Alliance and currently works as the organization’s campaigner and photographer. He is particularly renowned for his spectacular photos of BC’s old-growth forests and biggest trees, used to raise public awareness for the AFA’s conservation campaigns, and which have been reprinted in hundreds of publications – magazines, books, newspapers and websites. See some of Watt’s photos at: https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/photos-media/ and at: https://www.utopiaphoto.ca/
“Metchosin is proud to recognise TJ Watt with the Friend of the Earth Award, for his tireless commitment to protecting our ancient forests. We are inspired by his astounding photos of BC's iconic big trees and heartened by his enthusiasm and determination. We know he will continue to ignite a passion for our natural areas through his art and his pivotal role with the Ancient Forest Alliance,” stated councillor Moralea Milne.
“Metchosin is a community filled with many eco-minded folks doing great things, so it’s humbling to receive the 2013 Friend of the Earth Award, and I thank Moralea Milne and the Metchosin municipal council for the honour. I hold a deep love and respect for the natural environments of Vancouver Island, much of which stems from being raised in a town where those values are not only encouraged but celebrated,” Watt notes. “It has fuelled my passion to do all that I can to protect the unique and special places that we still have left before it’s too late. We live in the most beautiful place on Earth but it’s up to every one of us to keep it that way.”
Of particular note, Watt’s haunting 2010 photo (see https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/photos-media/) of a clearcut on Vancouver Island of a former old-growth forest near the town of Port Renfrew has drawn numerous accolades and won several awards. Watt’s photo won 2nd place in the 2012 International Conservation Photography awards for the Natural Environment at Risk category, 1st place for Outdoor Photography Canada magazine’s 2011 award for Human Impact on the Environment, was featured on the front cover of the Academy-award nominated documentary “If A Tree Falls”, and was also used in a display in the Montreal Biosphere Museum.
Watt is also renowned for locating and successfully campaigning to protect the Avatar Grove (see https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/photos-media/), a stand of exceptionally grand old-growth redcedars and Douglas-fir trees near Port Renfrew that were slated to fall in 2010. After an intense two year campaign spearheaded by the Ancient Forest Alliance in conjunction with the Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce, the Avatar Grove was designated off-limits to logging as an Old-Growth Management Area in early 2012. Thousands of tourists from around the world have flocked to see the magnificent trees of the Avatar Grove, and Watt is currently coordinating a boardwalk construction project in the Avatar Grove.
“With thousands of hectares of old-growth forests still being logged each year in BC, often in remote coastal valleys away from public scrutiny, it has become my mission to help act as the eyes and the ears of the woods. That is, I work to show both the beauty and destruction of endangered forest ecosystems by sharing as many powerful and awareness-raising images with the public as possible,” states Watt. “Most British Columbians treasure the fact that some of the world’s very last ancient temperate rainforests are found right here in our backyard. They are shocked and dismayed to find out that in 2013, our provincial government still allows the logging of thousand year old trees while contending that they are not endangered.”
Watt continues to work for the Ancient Forest Alliance exploring endangered groves and clearcuts, taking photos, guiding hikes, giving slideshows, organizing protests, and writing educational materials.
Past winners of Metchosin’s Friend of the Earth award have included Dr. Andy MacKinnon, forest ecologist and author of many field guides to native and medicinal plants of BC and Canada, and Garry Fletcher, for his role in protecting Race Rocks, an extremely biologically diverse marine area.
The Ancient Forest Alliance is calling on the BC Liberal government to protect BC’s endangered old-growth forests, ensure the sustainable logging of second-growth forests, and to ban raw log exports to foreign mills.