During a brief visit to Cortes Island Friday, members of B.C.’s Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) documented a surprising number of rare, old growth Douglas fir trees slated to be logged by Island Timberlands.
Just one day after activists delivered a 6,200-signature petition appealing to the company, concerned Cortes residents received confirmation that the trees were among the most significant remaining old growth stands in British Columbia – a fact that could help gain provincial support to purchase the land from private owners.
•Logging of pristine B.C. island forest to begin in January by Brookfield Asset Management
•Petition against logging pristine B.C. forest draws Margaret Atwood, Mia Farrow and 4700 signatures
•Hand delivered petition urges Island Timberlands to reconsider logging of pristine B.C. forest
“In these parts, at least 99 per cent of the old growth of these firs have been cut,” said AFA Executive Director Ken Wu.
“Normally what you find is individual veterans, but you don’t get a whole stand of it like this,” he said, pointing out several groups of centuries-old trees at the heart of Cortes Island.
“That’s really rare. So to have a whole cluster of these is provincially significant.”
Community activists from Cortes took Wu and AFA tree photographer TJ Watt on a tour through island forests to document remaining old growth stands, which could be affected by impending logging operations. According to Wu, the potential loss of these stands is particularly troubling given the fact that the area’s dry maritime ecosystem is one of the most endangered forest ecosystems in the province.
“It’s like shooting a black rhino,” he said.
Purchasing power
The Ancient Forest Alliance was invited by Cortes residents to visit proposed logging areas, examine and document their ecological value. The organization works to preserve endangered old growth forests across British Columbia, as well as maintaining sustainable forestry jobs in the province. By photographing the biggest, oldest trees on Cortes Island, they can help advocates prove the significance of the stands and make a better case for their protection.
“I think what it means is that we can get off-island support to do a purchase,” said Fred Savage, a Cortes furniture builder who has volunteered countless hours to the cause.
With enough financial support, locals could potentially buy the “high priority” land areas from Island Timberlands. Savage has doubts that they could come up with the funds, as Island Timberlands has indicated they won’t sell for less than twice the appraised market value. But for Wu, this type of success story isn’t unheard of.
“Basically, Island Timberlands needs to agree to sell at the appraised value, not over-inflated values of the lands that the locals want to see protected,” said Wu, noting the possibility of extra support from the government.
“The province has to kick in like they did in Salt Spring Island under pressure,” he said.
Wu is referring to a well-known environmental campaign in the early 2000s, when Salt Spring Island residents protested logging by new landowners Texada Land Corporation. After significant opposition and fundraising efforts from the community, the province stepped in to contribute an additional $13.4 million needed to buy part of the land from the company.
“There’s no way the community’s going to raise $7 million, or whatever the price is,” said Wu.
“But the province – they coughed up over $12 million for Salt Spring.”
The precedent set by Salt Spring Island may offer hope to those on Cortes, but it is unknown whether the same support could be provided in this case. It is also worth noting that Brookfield Asset Management has given over $126,000 in campaign contributions to the BC Liberals since 2006.
An ongoing battle
The residents of Cortes Island have been actively trying to save these trees for decades, but since they’re on private land the owners have no legal obligation to retain them. Old growth trees are also the biggest and provide the most valuable timber, so they are often the most attractive for companies looking to cash in on their investments.
“As trees get older, you get higher quality wood, which is why people want the old growth,” said Wu.
Forest advocates say the older trees on the island could be anywhere from 200 to 500 years old, and logs their size and quality could be sold to markets overseas for over $25,000 each.
The area containing these high-value trees was previously owned by MacMillan Bloedel, a Canadian forestry company bought by Weyerhauser in 1999. Island Timberlands – a subsidiary of the multi-national firm Brookfield Asset Management – bought the land from Weyerhauser in 2005. Locals had arranged a hard-won agreement with former owners to protect sensitive old growth zones, but Island Timberlands is not bound by the same promises.
“It doesn’t have legal status, and Island Timberlands doesn’t know anything about it,” said Savage.
He repeats another islander’s analogy, saying it’s “like throwing Jell-o at the wall. We just keep doing it, and we don’t get anything to stick.”
Read article in the VO: https://www.vancouverobserver.com/sustainability/2012/01/14/ancient-forest-alliance-confirms-vital-old-growth-threatened-cortes-island
Canada’s Mossiest Rainforest aka Fangorn Forest
/in Take ActionDirect link to YouTube clip: https://youtu.be/FzOefJnAENI
Please SIGN our PETITION at staging.ancientforestalliance.org/ways-to-take-action-for-forests/petition/
This is the unprotected “Mossy Maple Grove”, Canada’s mossiest rainforest, a stand of enormous old-growth Bigleaf maple trees — some as much as 2 meters (7 feet) wide in trunk diameter — completely draped in hanging gardens of mosses and ferns found just south of Cowichan Lake on southern Vancouver Island, BC. This is in the traditional territory of Cowichan Tribes who are part of the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group.
Unlike other spotlighted old-growth forests in BC that have all been “coniferous” or needle-leaf trees (Douglas firs, Sitka spruce, western redcedars, etc.), this is an old-growth “deciduous” or broad-leaf rainforest. This area has also been nicknamed “Fangorn Forest” after the forest in The Lord of the Rings.
Filmed and edited by TJ Watt.
Music – “Razorback Sucker” by Tom Fahy – https://www.facebook.com/tomfahymusic/
Vehicle Donation Needed
/in AnnouncementsDo you or a family member have a vehicle that you no longer need? One that you would be willing to donate to the Ancient Forest Alliance?
If so, the AFA is looking for a safe and reliable vehicle for our door canvass to build support in communities throughout Victoria and Vancouver Island. A vehicle is key to provide an efficient means of transport for a new door canvassing crew and for volunteers who will be PIVOTAL in quickly growing the donors base and the scale of grassroots outreach of our organization. The vehicle need not be particularly stylish, but it must be one that is in good working order, will pass an inspection, and be ready for the road. An automatic transmission is required as well.
To successfully protect BC’s incredible ancient forests we will need as many volunteers as we can get on the ground to the door steps of thousands of British Columbian households in 2012 and beyond. In particular, the next year and a half leading up to the provincial election is our most critical and opportune time to greatly expand the scope of our campaign through door canvassing and hard-hitting campaign work in swing ridings that will ultimately lead to the protection of our most magnificent natural legacies.
Please contact the Ancient Forest Alliance at 250.896.4007 if you have a free vehicle for the job!
We will recognize the donor with our gratitude on our website (unless you prefer to remain anonymous) and also a signed print of our spectacular ancient forests by AFA photographer TJ Watt.
UVic Slideshow Featuring BC’s Most Spectacular Old-Growth Rainforests!
/in AnnouncementsDate: Tuesday, February 7
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Clearihue Building Rm A202, UVic.
FREE!
Come for a spectacular slideshow presentation with the Ancient Forest Alliance’s Ken Wu and TJ Watt about BC’s largest trees and the newly-found “Fangorn Forest” (or “Canada’s Mossiest Rainforest”) near Lake Cowichan, Avatar Grove, Walbran Valley, McLaughlin Ridge, Cortes Island, and Flores Island. Learn about the current government policies, geography, and ecology of BC’s old-growth forests. Find out how YOU can help the UVic Ancient Forest Committee in this pivotal year of 2012!
For more info contact the UVic Ancient Forest Committee at: uvicancientforest@gmail.com
Join the Friends of McLaughlin Ridge on Facebook!
/in Take ActionPort Alberni residents led by local activist Jane Morden are standing up to protect the endangered McLaughlin Ridge, a 500 hectare tract of ancient Douglas-fir forest near the town that biologists have classified as both critical habitat for wintering deer and endangered Queen Charlotte goshawks. The Ancient Forest Alliance is calling on the BC government to purchase the land from Island Timberlands.
‘Like’ the Protect McLaughlin Ridge page on Facebook and “share” with friends here: www.facebook.com/pages/Protect-McLaughlin-Ridge/171349489633596
Help us reach 100+ ‘likes’ by inviting your friends to the page too!
‘Write a Letter’ guide for McLaughlin Ridge: www.staging.ancientforestalliance.org/news-item.php?ID=370
The Victoria Naturalist – “Canada’s Mossiest Rainforest” Found on Vancouver Island
/in News CoverageCheck out the January/February 2012 edition of The Victoria Naturalist for the Ancient Forest Alliance’s article on “Canada’s Mossiest Rainforest”! The article is found on pages 15 and 16. Be sure to check out the other interesting and informative nature pieces as well!
NEW PHOTO GALLERY featuring Cortes Island’s endangered forests!
/in Photo GalleryFollow the link here to see the new images: https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/photos-media/
Cortes Island, a northern Gulf Island between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland, is home to some of the last 1% of old-growth Douglas fir groves within the endangered “Dry Maritime” forests along BC’s southern coast. These are some of the most extensive remaining stands and are owned by corporate logging giant Island Timberlands.
Local residents are staunchly opposed to the planned industrial logging of these ancient and mature forests and other sensitive ecosystems. The protection of these forests will take a willingness of Island Timberlands to sell their lands at a fair market value – not at an overinflated price – and for various levels of government (particularly the provincial government) and other organizations and individuals to provide the funds.
For lands not purchased for protection, the company must conduct its forestry operation in line with community eco-forestry values and standards. Ultimately stronger private managed forest land regulations are needed in BC.
Support the Cortes Island activists at: wildstands.wordpress.com
Sign the Ancient Forest Alliance’s petition to protect BC’s old-growth forests and to ban raw log exports at: staging.ancientforestalliance.org/ways-to-take-action-for-forests/petition/
Save Cortes Island’s Endangered Forests!
/in Take ActionURGENT! Cortes Island’s Threatened Forests Need Your Help! Please write to BC’s Minister of Environment Terry Lake below.
Cortes Island, a northern Gulf Island between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland, is home to some of the last 1% of old-growth Douglas-fir groves within the endangered “Dry Maritime” forests along BC’s southern coast. These are some of the most extensive remaining stands and are owned by corporate logging giant Island Timberlands.
See the beautiful NEW PHOTO GALLERY of Cortes Island’s endangered old-growth and mature forests here: www.staging.ancientforestalliance.org/photos.php?gID=12
Local residents are staunchly opposed to the planned industrial logging of these ancient and mature forests and other sensitive ecosystems. The protection of these forests will take a willingness of Island Timberlands to sell their lands at a fair market value – not at an overinflated price – and for various levels of government (particularly the provincial government) and other organizations and individuals to provide the funds. For lands not purchased for protection, the company must conduct its forestry operation in line with community eco-forestry values and standards. Ultimately stronger private managed forest land regulations are needed in BC.
Please WRITE A QUICK EMAIL as soon as possible to BC’s Minister of Environment, Hon. Terry Lake at: terry.lake.mla@leg.bc.ca . Ask that the BC government help fund the purchase of endangered old-growth stands, sensitive ecosystems, and other high priority lands for conservation currently owned by Island Timberlands. ***BE SURE to include your FULL NAME and ADDRESS so they know you are a real person!
To keep up-to-date with the local activists campaign to protect Cortes Island’s forests and see photos, videos, and more, visit the Wildstands website! https://wildstands.wordpress.com/
Salt Spring Island a ‘model’ for Cortes Island advocates to prevent logging of pristine B.C. forests.
/in News CoverageDirect link to video: https://youtu.be/CNryQq75rAE
As deadline looms for Island Timberlands to begin logging on Cortes Island, advocates are hoping for a re-enactment of an earlier success story to protect the area’s pristine forests.
“If Salt Spring Island is a model of what can happen, Island Timberlands needs to sell the land at the appraised value, not at an inflated value of the land that locals want to see protected…to make sure that if there’s logging, it’s in line with community values.”
Ken Wu, co-founder of the Victoria-based Ancient Forest Alliance, said if Cortes Island can generate enough public pressure, it may be able to repeat the events of 2001, when environmental advocates on Salt Spring Island pushed Texada Land Corporation to sell part of their land and save sensitive areas from logging.
Wu said he was “impressed by the tenacity of people on Cortes Island,” who have just submitted a petition with over 6,200 names to Island Timberlands to work towards more sustainable logging on the island.
Direct link to Vancouver Observer article: https://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/earthmatters/2012/01/14/salt-spring-island-model-cortes-island-advocates-prevent-logging
Ancient Forest Alliance confirms vital old growth in threatened Cortes Island woods
/in News CoverageDuring a brief visit to Cortes Island Friday, members of B.C.’s Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) documented a surprising number of rare, old growth Douglas fir trees slated to be logged by Island Timberlands.
Just one day after activists delivered a 6,200-signature petition appealing to the company, concerned Cortes residents received confirmation that the trees were among the most significant remaining old growth stands in British Columbia – a fact that could help gain provincial support to purchase the land from private owners.
•Logging of pristine B.C. island forest to begin in January by Brookfield Asset Management
•Petition against logging pristine B.C. forest draws Margaret Atwood, Mia Farrow and 4700 signatures
•Hand delivered petition urges Island Timberlands to reconsider logging of pristine B.C. forest
“In these parts, at least 99 per cent of the old growth of these firs have been cut,” said AFA Executive Director Ken Wu.
“Normally what you find is individual veterans, but you don’t get a whole stand of it like this,” he said, pointing out several groups of centuries-old trees at the heart of Cortes Island.
“That’s really rare. So to have a whole cluster of these is provincially significant.”
Community activists from Cortes took Wu and AFA tree photographer TJ Watt on a tour through island forests to document remaining old growth stands, which could be affected by impending logging operations. According to Wu, the potential loss of these stands is particularly troubling given the fact that the area’s dry maritime ecosystem is one of the most endangered forest ecosystems in the province.
“It’s like shooting a black rhino,” he said.
Purchasing power
The Ancient Forest Alliance was invited by Cortes residents to visit proposed logging areas, examine and document their ecological value. The organization works to preserve endangered old growth forests across British Columbia, as well as maintaining sustainable forestry jobs in the province. By photographing the biggest, oldest trees on Cortes Island, they can help advocates prove the significance of the stands and make a better case for their protection.
“I think what it means is that we can get off-island support to do a purchase,” said Fred Savage, a Cortes furniture builder who has volunteered countless hours to the cause.
With enough financial support, locals could potentially buy the “high priority” land areas from Island Timberlands. Savage has doubts that they could come up with the funds, as Island Timberlands has indicated they won’t sell for less than twice the appraised market value. But for Wu, this type of success story isn’t unheard of.
“Basically, Island Timberlands needs to agree to sell at the appraised value, not over-inflated values of the lands that the locals want to see protected,” said Wu, noting the possibility of extra support from the government.
“The province has to kick in like they did in Salt Spring Island under pressure,” he said.
Wu is referring to a well-known environmental campaign in the early 2000s, when Salt Spring Island residents protested logging by new landowners Texada Land Corporation. After significant opposition and fundraising efforts from the community, the province stepped in to contribute an additional $13.4 million needed to buy part of the land from the company.
“There’s no way the community’s going to raise $7 million, or whatever the price is,” said Wu.
“But the province – they coughed up over $12 million for Salt Spring.”
The precedent set by Salt Spring Island may offer hope to those on Cortes, but it is unknown whether the same support could be provided in this case. It is also worth noting that Brookfield Asset Management has given over $126,000 in campaign contributions to the BC Liberals since 2006.
An ongoing battle
The residents of Cortes Island have been actively trying to save these trees for decades, but since they’re on private land the owners have no legal obligation to retain them. Old growth trees are also the biggest and provide the most valuable timber, so they are often the most attractive for companies looking to cash in on their investments.
“As trees get older, you get higher quality wood, which is why people want the old growth,” said Wu.
Forest advocates say the older trees on the island could be anywhere from 200 to 500 years old, and logs their size and quality could be sold to markets overseas for over $25,000 each.
The area containing these high-value trees was previously owned by MacMillan Bloedel, a Canadian forestry company bought by Weyerhauser in 1999. Island Timberlands – a subsidiary of the multi-national firm Brookfield Asset Management – bought the land from Weyerhauser in 2005. Locals had arranged a hard-won agreement with former owners to protect sensitive old growth zones, but Island Timberlands is not bound by the same promises.
“It doesn’t have legal status, and Island Timberlands doesn’t know anything about it,” said Savage.
He repeats another islander’s analogy, saying it’s “like throwing Jell-o at the wall. We just keep doing it, and we don’t get anything to stick.”
Read article in the VO: https://www.vancouverobserver.com/sustainability/2012/01/14/ancient-forest-alliance-confirms-vital-old-growth-threatened-cortes-island
Environmental group balances jobs with old-growth protection
/in News CoverageThere was a time in the 1990s when a massive wedge existed between forestry workers and environmentalists. There was the ‘war in the woods’ and various other tension-ridden incidents and protests that led to acrimony and anger on both sides.
In 2010 a new environmentally-conscious organization appeared on the scene and met with a thumbs-up from both sides.
Ken Wu, one of the original founders (along with TJ Watt and others) said, “an organization can’t be based solely on ideals and divorced from how people make a living.”
The group spearheading the organization approached forestry workers, first in the Cowichan Valley, and the derision started to wear away.
“We started to make alliances with forestry workers,” said Wu.
Many of the ties that bind the two sides are the goals of the AFA; protection of the last remaining old-growth forests, and banning export of raw logs to foreign mills.
The problem now is that the B.C. government is opening up Chinese markets, where large scale manufacturing can be set up very, very fast, said Wu.
“It’s just a matter of time until they (the Chinese) start phasing out imports and shift to raw logs,” stated Wu.
He said this is “dangerous” because it is a lose, lose situation for British Columbia forests and forestry workers.
Old-growth forests are on the decline as they are logged now as they were in the past. The forestry companies are slow at re-tooling the machinery to handle second-growth logs and developing value-added wood industries. The alliance believes we should be logging second-growth at a slower rate, a more sustainable rate of cut and be manufacturing wood products in B.C.
There are other items as well on the alliance’s platform and they have instituted an on-line petition in an effort to get the B.C. government to protect old-growth forests and forestry jobs.
The Ancient Forest Alliance is not seeking charitable status because they feel they can be more effective in leveling stronger criticisms and gaining stronger support from politicians and political parties based on their stance.
The AFA would like the government to undertake a provincial old-growth strategy that will inventory old-growth forests in B.C. and protect them where they are scarce. Sustainable logging practices (which might include selective logging) on second-growth forests and an end to raw log exports are also in the alliance’s goals.
As environmentalists the AFA differs in that they realize jobs are important.
“There is a social pressure to make a living and we have to have a plan for economy at the same as environmental protection,” said Wu. “People need a way to work.”
[Sooke News Mirror article no longer available]