Ancient Forest Alliance – Best of 2024!

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As 2024 comes to a close, we are beyond thankful for all you’ve helped us achieve this year. With you, our community, alongside us, we’re excited to build on all the momentum we’ve generated in recent years to keep ancient forests standing for generations to come. Read on to see our highlights from 2024, and if you’re able, please make a tax-deductible donation to help us start strong in 2025! We appreciate any amount you can give! Thank you.

2024 Conservation Highlights

Aerial view of Flores Island.

Aerial view of Flores Island, Ahousaht territory.

1. Clayoquot Sound Old-Growth – Protected At Last!

In spring 2024, the Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and BC NDP government declared 760 square kilometres of land (an area larger than Greater Victoria) protected in a series of new conservancies in Clayoquot Sound near Tofino, BC. The protected areas harbour some of the grandest and most intact coastal old-growth temperate rainforests on Earth (e.g. Flores Island & Meares Island) and represent the largest old-growth forest protected areas victory in BC since the Great Bear Rainforest conservancies were announced in 2006. Congratulations to the amazing Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht leadership for their work and for seeing their visions reach this amazing milestone – some 40 years in the making!

2. Expanded Klinse-Za/Twin Sisters Park – Largest Park Created in BC in a Decade

A significant stretch of caribou habitat in northeastern BC was permanently protected in the newly expanded Klinse-Za/Twin Sisters Park. The announcement follows years of collaboration between the West Moberly First Nations, Saulteau First Nations and the provincial and federal governments, who agreed to work together to recover caribou herds on the brink of extinction. This park expansion will protect nearly 200,000 hectares of habitat for endangered caribou in B.C.’s northeast and marks noteworthy progress in the BC NDP’s promise to protect 30% of BC lands by 2030.

3. BC NDP-Green Agreement Creates New Opportunity to Strengthen Old-Growth Forest Protection Policies

The year wrapped up with news of a rare political opportunity after the BC NDP and Green parties signed the 2024 Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord. The cooperation agreement calls for the BC government to work toward achieving protection of the Fairy Creek Watershed in partnership with the Pacheedaht First Nation, whose unceded territory it is, and the Ditidaht First Nation, who has various legal arrangements that overlap in the area. More importantly, the cooperation agreement outlines the parties’ intention to undertake a review of BC forests with First Nations and diverse sectors of society to address jobs, environmental protection, and sustainability. More on this to come.

Top News Stories of 2024

Ancient Forest Alliance photos, videos, and media releases continue to garner major news coverage, helping to raise widespread public awareness of the need to protect endangered old-growth forests. Here are a few of the year’s top new stories on AFA and old growth!

1. The Narwhal – Over half of Clayoquot Sound’s iconic forests are now protected — here’s how First Nations and BC did it

2. Times Colonist — Photo of old-growth cedar tree on Flores Island wins international award. Also featured in The Guardian & CNN!

3. The Black Press — Advocate makes passionate plea for Island’s old growth at Victoria TEDx talk

4. The Narwhal — BC Conservative Leader says his party would kill ‘nonsense’ plans for new protected areas

5. Global News — BC advocates raising alarm due to recent clear-cut on Vancouver Island

See our news archives for the full list of stories.

Top 5 Photos of 2024

Conservation photography plays a vital role in bringing endangered ecosystems to life. Whether a photo of a beautiful Garry oak meadow in springtime, a foggy rainforest on the west coast, or the devastating scene of an old-growth clearcut, compelling imagery can invoke within us a sense of wonder and awe or heartbreak and urgency to act. Each year, AFA photographer TJ Watt captures thousands of photos to help tell the story of endangered forests in BC – below are just a few of his stand-out shots from 2024!

Camas Meadow, Uplands Park – Coast Salish territory

TJ Watt stands beside a giant redcedar in Jurassic Grove on a foggy day.

Fortress Giant, Jurassic Grove – Pacheedaht territory

Big Lonely Doug, Port Renfrew – Pacheedaht territory

Before & After Logging Nahmint, Nahmint Valley – Hupačasath, Tseshaht, & Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ territory

Fallen Cedar
Nahmint Valley – Hupačasath, Tseshaht, & Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ territory

Top 3 Videos of 2024

1. TJ Watt’s TEDxVictoria Talk: One Last Shot to Protect Old-Growth Forests in British Columbia

2. Climbing Carmanah’s Largest Spruce Tree

3. Nahmint Valley Old-Growth Destruction

International Exposure

AFA photographer TJ Watt was awarded in Earth Photo 2024, an international photography competition hosted by the Royal Geographical Society in London, UK. His award-winning image, Flores Island Cedar, and story were featured in the Times Colonist, The Guardian, and CNN!

In February, TJ travelled to the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, where he gave a presentation on “The Search for the World’s Biggest Trees.” This was part of REACH to FOREST, a two-week event blending art, science, and culture in the nation’s capital. Famed forest ecologist Andy MacKinnon also spoke as part of the Big Tree Hunters Party. It was a fabulous event, helping raise international awareness of the importance of protecting old-growth forests!

We Launched Old-Growth Hiking Guides!

This year, we wanted to share with you some of our favourite old-growth hikes in the Victoria and Port Renfrew areas on southern Vancouver Island. From idyllic parks mere minutes from the capital city of BC to rugged wilderness areas further up the coast, these old-growth forests and giant trees invite visitors to embark on a journey back in time. Where will you go next?

Victoria

Without leaving paved roads, there are worlds of ancient forests to explore right in Victoria’s backyard. There are multiple parks and accessible trails where visitors can marvel at the ancient giants in this rare Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem.

Francis/King Regional Park, Lekwungen territory

Port Renfrew

Known as the “Tall Trees Capital of Canada,” the forests around Port Renfrew hold some of the largest and grandest trees left in the country. Find out how to visit the Red Creek Fir, Eden Grove, San Juan Spruce, Big Lonely Doug, and more!

Jurassic Grove, Pacheedaht territory

We hope you enjoyed some of our highlights of the past year! As always, we’re extremely grateful for your support and that of our community. Without you contacting decision-makers, signing our resolutions, sharing our photos & news stories, donating, and always going the extra mile when called for, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Together, we are well on our way to achieving lasting protection for the old-growth forests of British Columbia. While there’s much more work to be done, we’re ready to hit the ground running with you in 2025!

Thank you for standing with us year after year.

For the forests,

—The Ancient Forest Alliance team

The six members of AFA staff stand beside each other in front of an ancient Doulas-fir tree.

The AFA team from left to right: Joan Varley (Administrative Director), Coral Forbes (Donor Relations and Administrative Associate), Nadia Sheptycki (Victoria Canvass Director), Kristen Bounds (Communications Coordinator), Issy Turnill (Forest Campaigner), TJ Watt (Senior Campaigner & Photographer)

New Video! AFA’s TJ Watt’s TEDxVictoria Talk on Old-Growth Forests

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Earlier this year, TEDxVictoria returned to the stage with the theme “It’s up to us.” Ancient Forest Alliance photographer, campaigner, and co-founder TJ Watt was selected as one of 12 speakers. Like the famed TED Talks, TEDx (which has over 40 million followers on YouTube!) events host a series of speakers who highlight new ideas, challenges, or perspectives, but on a local level.

In his presentation, One Last Shot to Protect Old-Growth Forests In British Columbia, TJ takes us on a visual journey of his work as a conservation photographer, big tree hunter, and National Geographic Explorer. With stunning imagery and passionate storytelling, he shares his life’s mission: helping to secure permanent protection for endangered ancient forests in British Columbia. His talk also touches on how he tracks down giant trees, recent campaign successes, and what solutions are still needed. Be sure to watch and share it below!

A Note from TJ

“I’ve done many talks over the years, but none made me as nervous as this. How do you convey a topic as complex as old-growth forests and your life’s mission to protect them in just 15 minutes? It’s a lot of pressure – especially on a stage in front of 700 people! The opportunity to share my message, photos, and story with such a large audience, including the global reach that TEDx offers, was too important to pass up on, though.

I’ve dedicated the past 15 years to exploring and documenting endangered old-growth forests in BC to help see them saved. 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. It was an honour to share this story on the TEDxVictoria stage. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, please share it with friends and family to help raise further awareness. Thanks to the TEDxVictoria organizers for including me and everyone’s encouragement along the way.”

Portrait of Ancient Forest Alliance photographer TJ Watt at TEDxVictoria

TJ at TEDxVictoria 2024 [o] Lillie Louise Photography

Feeling inspired?

 

Please SHARE TJ’s TEDxVictoria talk on social media and with friends and family to help expand its reach! Link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=enF8Zf4EPNg

Or, donate to support Ancient Forest Alliance‘s work to protect old-growth forests in BC.

Support Endangered Old-Growth Forests This Giving Season!

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The old-growth forests of British Columbia are among the most magnificent, ancient, and ecologically diverse ecosystems in the world. They also need our urgent help to protect them. With Giving Tuesday (a global day where people give and celebrate generosity) just a week away, will you help us reach our goal of raising $15,000 to support old-growth protection? We’re most grateful for anything you can give. Our Giving Tuesday campaign runs from today, Tuesday, November 26, until Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and donations are tax-deductible.

Ways you can support

1. Give a monthly or one-time donation to Ancient Forest Alliance 🌲

As a small charitable organization, our work is driven by donations from individuals like you. By making a monthly or one-time donation, you’ll help us carry out critical work, including supporting First Nations partners in developing Indigenous Protected Area proposals that protect old-growth, exploring and documenting endangered forests, and building and strengthening relationships with non-traditional allies to create a broad-based movement of support for ancient forest protection.

Make a charitable donation today!

2. Pick up some AFA merchandise for yourself or a loved one 🛍️

From our 2025 calendars to our new toque and long-sleeve tee, there are many ways to show your love for the old-growth forests of BC! As we head into the giving season, beat the rush and treat yourself or a loved one to some great gifts while helping to support our work.

*Please note: Due to the current strike, we cannot ship orders through Canada Post. A pick-up option is available if you’re in the Victoria area. Shipping via FedEx is also available. See our store at the link below for more information.

Check out the AFA store!

Because of YOUR support, over the past few years, we have made historic progress toward supporting the protection of old-growth forests in British Columbia. AFA’s specific campaigns helped secure the $1-billion BC Nature Agreement, which brings forth major funding for nature conservation in BC, including a $100-million BC Old-Growth Fund to protect the grandest old-growth forests. The province’s commitment to protect 30% of the land area by 2030 also sets the stage to essentially double the amount of protected area in BC over the next five years.

This past summer, the Ahousaht, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and BC NDP government also announced 760 square kilometres of new protected areas in Clayoquot Sound. The vast expansion of protection for Clayoquot, 40 years in the making, represents the largest old-growth forest protected areas victory in BC since the Great Bear Rainforest conservancies were announced in 2006. The BC government is now in discussions with dozens of First Nations across BC to establish Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), including in old-growth forests, totalling thousands of square kilometres.

However, our work is far from over. Going forward, your charitable giving will allow us to expand our work with key allies and First Nations, capture powerful new imagery, grow our hard-working team, and ensure we get the job done as effectively as possible. We’re most grateful for anything you can give.

Thank you for your support!

—The Ancient Forest Alliance team

Issy stands on a mountain with Peyto Lake in the background behind her.

Welcome our new Forest Campaigner, Issy Turnill!

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Issy joined AFA in the fall of 2024 as a Forest Campaigner, leaving the hustle of London for the mountains of Vancouver to be closer to the nature she’s passionate about protecting.

Her love for the outdoors started early, exploring the woodlands of Suffolk, England, and the cedar forests of southern France growing up. This early connection led her to study Anthropology to better understand the complex relationship between people and the natural world. Her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology included a semester abroad in Sydney, Australia, gaining an appreciation for Indigenous environmental knowledge, and her master’s degree in Environmental Anthropology focused on community-led conservation approaches.

For the past three years, Issy worked in London as an environmental communications consultant, raising awareness about climate and nature-based solutions. While she loved this work, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being far from the critical ecosystems she was advocating for, which sparked the move to Vancouver.

Now, Issy is thrilled to be helping protect irreplaceable old-growth forests in BC and spending her free time exploring the beauty of these ancient ecosystems firsthand.

Update: Canada Post Strike

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📩 An important update regarding the Canada Post strike as of Friday, November 15th!

Due to the strike, we cannot ship any merchandise orders through Canada Post. If you are in Victoria, in-person pick-up is available at our office at #205 – 620 View Street between 10am and 4pm, Monday through Thursday. No appointment is necessary. Alternatively, FedEx is offered as our next cost-effective shipping option if you wish to receive your orders on time.

If neither of the above shipping options works for you and you would still like to support our work this holiday season with gift giving, please consider donating toward one of our Adopt-a-Tree or Adopt-a-Grove e-certificates that can be emailed directly to your family or friends.

Otherwise, you can donate here to help protect the at-risk old-growth forests of British Columbia!

Ancient Forest Alliance is a registered charity supported by donations from our community and through our merchandise sales, with all proceeds supporting our ever-important work protecting endangered old-growth forests in BC.

We appreciate your support, and thank you for standing with us!

—The Ancient Forest Alliance team

A Farewell Note from AFA’s Ian Thomas

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I am profoundly grateful for my years as a Research and Engagement Officer at Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) both for the opportunity to help protect magnificent old-growth forests in BC and for the incredible group of people I’ve had the privilege of working with along the way. The AFA team comprises the most dedicated and passionate people, and I’m extremely proud to have been part of this amazing group.

Through my time at AFA, I’ve been privileged to explore some of the most beautiful ancient forests left on Earth and spent countless hours with some of the world’s oldest and largest living things. I came to this organization as a biologist with a deep love and concern for the wildlife and ecosystems of BC; AFA has provided me with the chance to give something back to the wild places that mean so much to me.

The human element has been no less amazing! The team at AFA is at once so heartfelt and passionate while also the most clear-eyed and pragmatic I’ve ever worked with. I’ve learned so much about change and advocacy from their strategy of carefully parsing policy and ecology to identify the exact barriers and gaps to conservation and finding the pathways through which change is possible. AFA’s dedication to community outreach and bringing people from all walks of life together to preserve these forests is unmatched. I will miss the warmth and camaraderie of the office and every staff member.

Though this work has forced me to witness the shocking devastation of these ancient, irreplaceable ecosystems, I’ve been deeply inspired and uplifted by the AFA team and the thousands of supporters helping us make historic progress for old-growth forests. This is the kind of work that humbles you and brings you close to what really matters: working with people and communities from all backgrounds and walks of life to foster a healthy living world for all the creatures that depend on it.

When I look at the scale of transformation in just the last few years – the hundreds of millions of dollars mobilized for conservation in BC and major protected areas being established or getting underway – it still stuns me how just a handful of dedicated folks in a small office in Victoria could play such a pivotal role in making our world a better place.

It is impossible to leave such an organization unchanged. I am moving on from AFA with a deep sense of hope, both for these old-growth forests that we have been at the forefront of protecting but also because I’ve seen firsthand the extraordinary power we can mobilize to safeguard native ecosystems while supporting sustainable, thriving communities.

I’m keeping a tight grip on my AFA alumnus card. Though my official role with AFA has (for the present) come to a close, I’m looking forward to supporting their work and mission in whatever ways I can and celebrating the many victories to come.

For the forests,

Ian Thomas

Ian at the base of the San Joseph Spruce, Canada’s largest spruce tree.

Nature Protection: Where Do BC’s Major Political Parties Stand?

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As we approach the BC election on Saturday, October 19th, 2024, here’s where BC’s major political parties stand on protecting nature. Safeguarding nature is vital for our health and well-being (even breathing in the air in nature is shown by science to boost our immune systems through plant compounds known as “phytoncides”), for the economy (protected areas attract and support a large diversity of industries and skilled labour to surrounding communities), for the climate, and for the diversity of life on Earth.

Visit Elections.bc.ca to find out where to vote and what you need for ID.

Watch and share this BC Election video!

Endangered Ecosystems Alliance Executive Director and AFA co-founder Ken Wu explains where each of BC’s major political parties stands on old-growth and nature protection.

🔵 The BC Conservative Party

The BC Conservatives take an extremist, anti-nature protection position.

1. They say they would “absolutely axe” BC’s goal to protect 30% of the province’s land area by 2030.

2. They would guarantee that all unprotected, productive forest lands in BC (22 million hectares) available for logging will be “managed to achieve supply chain stability in BC’s forestry sector”. That is, they will ensure that the forests at the centre of the conservation controversies, with the largest unprotected trees and richest biodiversity, will be turned into “guaranteed logging zones” that will obstruct new, fully protected areas.

3. Logging will continue even in areas prioritized for biodiversity conservation, where “sourcing forest products will be a secondary value”, ie. They will have a “log everywhere” policy.

4. They spread false and grossly misleading information and PR spin about the conservation and geographic extent of forests in BC — such as 30% protection would result in “30% less food production” (false: farming takes place on private lands, not on public lands where the protected areas expansion overwhelmingly occurs) and “two-thirds of BC’s forested landscape will remain in its original forested state” (deceptively failing to mention those ecosystems are mainly subalpine, rocky and muskeg landscapes with small and stunted trees of low to no timber value).

🟠 The BC NDP Party

The BC NDP is taking a strong, pro-protected areas stance and has moved protected areas policies forward on a historically unprecedented scale. However, several key policies are still missing.

1. They have committed to essentially double the protected areas system in BC over the next six years, from about 16% of the province now to 30% by 2030.

2. They have allocated and secured over $1 billion in federal-provincial funding to help make this happen, including for private land acquisition, conservation financing for First Nations, and resource licensee compensation.

3. They have established several hundred thousand hectares of new protected areas, including 76,000 hectares in Clayoquot Sound, 200,000 hectares at Klinze-sa/Twin Sisters, and 58,000 hectares at the Incomappleux Valley.

4. They are in discussion with dozens of First Nations about potential Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) spanning millions of hectares, including in productive old-growth forests and endangered grasslands.

5. They have thus far failed to implement ecosystem-based targets, that is, protection targets based on science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge for each ecosystem — the ‘GPS for new protected areas’ that would ensure that all ecosystems are adequately protected. This is the most important game-changer left to ensure the protection of endangered ecosystems. The BC NDP Party have stated that they will develop “science-based protection” policies and that this may occur via the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework.

6. They have thus far failed to close conservation loopholes in designations like Wildlife Habitat Areas where logging can still occur and Old-Growth Management Areas where boundaries can be readily moved around under timber industry pressure.

🟢 The BC Green Party

The BC Greens take a strong, pro-protected areas stance, lacking some specificity.

1. They support protecting 30% by 2030 of BC’s land area, including all old-growth forests, by working with Indigenous communities.

2. They advocate long-term, stable funding for nature-based solutions for environmental protection.

3. They believe in prioritizing ecosystem health, which includes appointing a Chief Ecologist as a counterbalance to the Chief Forester, although do not mention ecosystem-based targets for protection and conservation, which is the actual key to ecosystem health.

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Authorized by Ancient Forest Alliance, registered sponsor under the Election Act, 250-896-4007.

A man in a red jacket stands in front of a massive old-growth western redcedar. A navy blue text box sits in the top left corner reading, "Ancient Forest Alliance; 2023 Activity Report & Financials". Ancient Forest Alliance's logo sits in the bottom right corner.

2023 Activity Report & Financials

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Since AFA’s inception in 2010, there hasn’t been a year that has seen more progress toward protecting old-growth forests in BC than in 2023. Click and read through our Activity Report & Financials to see how YOU helped contribute to this success and find out what we have in store for 2024!

 

A man in a red jacket stands in front of a massive old-growth western redcedar. A navy blue text box sits in the top left corner reading, "Ancient Forest Alliance; 2023 Activity Report & Financials". Ancient Forest Alliance's logo sits in the bottom right corner.

 

Your Donations will be DOUBLED until July 21st!

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We’re excited to announce that donations to the Ancient Forest Alliance will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 until July 21st! For the next month, when you give a gift to the AFA, it will have DOUBLE the impact!

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Six of the many images that are depicted on AFA's greeting cards, including Big Lonely Doug, an old-growth sunset, waterfall, the San Juan Spruce, Cheewhat Giant, and Avatar Grove

AFA Greeting Cards are on sale for 20% off until August 31st!

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Have a special occasion coming up? Pick up your next set of greeting cards from Ancient Forest Alliance while they’re 20% off and help protect old-growth forests in BC!

Choose one of our specially curated sets of six cards for $20 or get a deal and choose two sets for $35!

Taken by AFA photographer TJ Watt, these photos feature big trees, birds, bears, flowers and fungi from locations such as Echo Lake, Meares Island, Carmanah Valley, Flores Island, and Brooks Peninsula, each card captures the beauty of the West Coast.

All cards are 5×7, blank inside and printed on 100% PCW recycled paper using vegetable-based inks. The educational descriptions on the back of the cards help to inspire others to share your love of old-growth forests.

All proceeds support the campaign to protect endangered old-growth forests in BC and ensure a sustainable second-growth industry. Offer ends August 31st or while supplies last.

Grab yours today!

12 images of the AFA greeting cards, including old-growth sunset, Big Lonely Doug, Mossy Maple Grove, Roosevelt elk, Avatar Grove, San Juan Spruce, an aerial image of Flores Island, and many more!

All cards are 20% off! Here are some of the images you can get on your cards.