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Hikers gather around the largest alien shaped cedar in the Lower Avatar Grove

BC Government considers protecting "Avatar Grove"

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The BC government announced Friday that it is looking into the possibility of protecting the old growth trees in the “Avatar Grove” near Port Renfrew.

Forests minister Pat Bell said in an interview Friday that he has asked the province’s chief forester to review existing regulations for protecting trees that, because of their age, have values that make them worth preserving. [Original article no longer available]

“Certainly we have been hearing the message for some time from different organizations that we should be considering some tools, perhaps new tools that we could use when particularly unique trees are identified. They may be individual tees or small areas like the Avatar Grove that provide incremental value over and above the timber resource value,” Bell said.

The Avatar Grove is an easily accessible stand of red cedars and Douglas firs on southern Vancouver Island, a 15-minute drive from Port Renfrew.

*The Vancouver Sun posted this short article along with 19 of the AFA’s big tree, big stump, and Avatar Grove shots online: Click here to see the original article and photo gallery

AFA Campaign Director Ken Wu stands beside one of the Avatar Grove's largest redcedars.

Times Colonist – Thumbs Up To the Forest Practices Board

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Thumbs Up: To the Forest Practices Board, for the first step toward better protection for ancient, giant trees in B.C.’s forests. Sparked by concerns about logging of massive trees near Port Renfrew, the board called for voluntary curbs on logging of trees that “can inspire awe and reverence, a sense of spirituality and connection to past events.” Voluntary efforts by forest companies answerable to shareholders aren’t enough, but the report is a start toward real protection for trees with historic significance every bit as real as ancient ruins.
Times Colonist article no longer available.
A massive redcedar in the endangered Avatar Grove near Port Renfrew

Group Optimistic About Government Considering Protection of Old Growth Forests

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A GROUP SEEKING PROTECTION FOR OLD GROWTH FORESTS ON VANCOUVER ISLAND IS FEELING CONFIDENT AFTER FORESTS MINISTER PAT BELL ANNOUNCED THE BC GOVERNMENT WILL LOOK INTO THE ISSUE

“the forest practices board made a recommendation that BC should find creative ways to protect monumental trees and ancient forest stands. This is the government’s watchdog. They appointed the body to review forestry in BC and now their own watchdog is saying we need to move farther to save our old growth forests”

ANCIENT FOREST ALLIANCE SPOKESPERSON KEN WU IS CALLING ON LEADERSHIP CANDIDATES FOR BOTH THE LIBERALS AND NDP TO TAKE ON THIS ISSUE IN THEIR CAMPAIGNS

“it’s an ecologically necessary position to take, to support saving old growth forests and the sustainable logging of second growth forests, and it’s a winning position in terms of public opinion today”

WU SAYS NDP LEADERSHIP CANDIDATE JOHN HORGAN HAS ALREADY VOICED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE PROTECTION OF AVATAR GROVE

AVATAR GROVE IS LOCATED NEAR PORT RENFREW AND IS HOME TO A STAND OF ENDANGERED MASSIVE RED CEDAR TREES, THAT ARE THREATENED BY LOGGING

Click here to view original article

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