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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Lichen-naming auction can be your path to immortality
/in News CoverageThe fastest way to immortality is to have the naming rights on a lichen, said biologist Andy MacKinnon, looking admiringly at the grey-green tresses of lichen hanging from trees in Goldstream Park.
“I can’t help but think it would be the perfect Christmas present,” said MacKinnon, coauthor of The Plants of Coastal B.C., which has sold 300,000 copies and is described as the Bible of B.C. botany.
“I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘A lichen is forever,’ ” he said.
Naming rights for two new species of lichen found in B.C.’s inland rainforest are up for grabs and bids in the public auction close at noon Thursday.
The lichens are the horsehairlike bryoria, which forms flowing brown-black tresses and the elegant, two-toned parmelia with strap-like lobes.
They were offered for auction by Trevor Goward, curator of lichens at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of B.C, who discovered the new species.
The winning bidder will be able to attach any name to the lichens and that name will stick forever, said MacKinnon, whose bids have already been overtaken.
“It’s one of the very few ways people can achieve immortality,” he said.
Proceeds from the bryoria auction will go to the Ancient Forest Alliance and the parmelia proceeds will go to The Land Conservancy.
The AFA money will probably be used to create new status reports and maps of remaining old-growth on Vancouver Island, said Ken Wu, AFA co-founder.
The last maps used data from 2004 and there have been at least two spikes in old-growth logging since then, he said.
It is the first time in Canada that “taxonomic tithing” – auctioning off naming rights to new species – has been used, he said.
“We’re excited about this taxonomic tithing trial run in B.C, not just because it could greatly help fund our campaign to protect endangered old-growth forests here, but also because it could be applied just about everywhere else,” Wu said. “It holds great potential as a creative conservation fundraiser.”
To bid on the bryoria go to www.ancientforestalliance.org or phone 250-896-4007.
To bid on the parmelia go to www.conservancy.bc.ca or call 1-877-485-2422.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/naming-rights-to-new-lichen-species-up-for-sale-1.1103882
British Columbia Magazine: Lichen auction closes soon
/in News CoverageTime is running out to have a treasured name live on in a lichen species. The contest to name two new species of lichen found in British Columbia’s rainforests closes December 15, so get brainstorming and start bidding.
The two species of lichens were discovered by researcher Trevor Goward who has donated his dibs on naming rights (which, under scientific protocol, usually go to the person who describes it). Instead, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia and the Ancient Forest Alliance are holding online auctions for the public to bid for the right to name the lichens. All proceeds will go to the two environmental groups. Goward refers to the auction of the naming rights as “taxonomic tithing,” and encourages other researchers to do the same.
Make a bid on the respective lichen species by visiting the websites of The Land Conservancy (1-877-485-2422) or the Ancient Forest Alliance (250-896-4007).
Link to original article: https://www.beautifulbc.ca/blogs/2011/12/06/lichen-contest-closes-soon/
TONIGHT! Chief treaty negotiator Robert Morales speaks on the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group’s fight for their forests and human rights!
/in AnnouncementsJoin the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group’s (HTG) Robert Morales for a presentation about the Hul’qumi’num’s fight to sustain their culture, their land and their human rights against the large scale clearcutting and development on their unceded territories.
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM
Date: TONIGHT, Tuesday, Dec.13 th
Location: Garry Oak Room – Fairfield Community Association. 1335 Thurlow Rd (by Moss St), Victoria.
Map: https://g.co/maps/hskn7
Cost: By Donation
See YouTube clip (3min) of clear cutting in HTG Traditional Territory: https://youtu.be/yEpuciCDCcw
The Hul’qumi’num are a conglomerate of six First Nations bands on southeastern Vancouver Island representing 6200 members in the Cowichan Ladysmith, and Nanaimo areas. The HTG’s Land Use Plan calls for protection of the remaining old-growth forest in their territories. Unfortunately, over 80% of their traditional lands were given away to private interests during the E&N Land Grant over a century ago.
The HTG have lodged a complaint to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the human rights monitoring organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), stating that the privatization and subsequent resource liquidation of their unceded territories has resulted in the loss of their culture and infringed on their human rights.
The Ancient Forest Alliance is supporting the HTG’s call for the BC government to consult and accomodate their interests with regards to these privatized corporate forest lands and to respect their land use plan.
Please come out and bring friends for this interesting and important event!