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Directions to Avatar Grove and the big trees.

Avatar Grove with BC KAIROS Rolling Justice Bus

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Last week, the BC KAIROS Rolling Justice Bus embarked on four day tour to see some of Vancouver Island’s most spectacular ancient forests and learn more about the issues surrounding them. AFA’s TJ Watt and forest ecologist Andy MacKinnon helped kick off day one of the tour at Avatar Grove in Canada’s Tall Trees Capital, Port Renfrew, sharing what makes old-growth forests so unique and why they’re worth more standing than as stumps! Thanks to BC-KAIROS for hosting this informative tour, raising awareness for BC’s ancient forests, and having the AFA along!

Photo Gallery: Avatar Boardwalk Construction – June 18/19 2016

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For the second time this month, volunteers have worked with the Ancient Forest Alliance to construct boardwalk at the Avatar Grove. This round was a huge success! Together we completed 50+ feet of new walkways over many of the areas that flood in winter time and added a beautiful staircase leading off the road to our new viewing platform in the Lower Grove. Volunteers also worked hard to add mesh traction to the many steps, cut and carried over 100 planks of wood into the bush, mixed cement and moved heavy rocks, and did it all with a great attitude and smiles. Thank you all so much!! We're making tremendous progress thanks to the help of the many dedicated individuals who've come out and the donations made by AFA supporters and local businesses. We're working to finish the boardwalk this summer, hopefully after 1 or 2 more work parties. The boardwalk is necessary to help protect the area's ecological integrity and improve visitor access and safety. Stay tuned for further info if you'd like to help out, contact boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt: tj@15.222.255.145 Trail building or construction experience is an asset (we can use more of you!) but not required.

See the photo album at: https://www.facebook.com/ancientforestalliance/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1061996910561562

To donate to the boardwalk construction, please visit: https://16.52.162.165/avatar-grove-boardwalk-now-completed-and-open/
 

New entrance at the Lower Avatar Grove.

Photo Gallery: Avatar Grove Boardwalk 2016 – New Entrance to Lower Grove

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Over the May long weekend, a group of core boardwalk volunteers got together to complete a beautiful new entrance to the Lower Avatar Grove. This includes a 10ft wide viewing platform with an incredible view overlooking the old-growth forest as well as a safe and long-lasting set of stairs leading off the road to replace the old ones. It was a lot of hard work to say the least! 

See the photo gallery here: https://bit.ly/1ViQ2aM

A huge thanks goes out to Scott Harris for engineering the design, Matthew Varley for leading much of the build and custom fabricating the key metal supports, Ron Krachenfels for adding his knowledge, labour, and expertise, Matt Johnson and Jeremy David for their hard work, and boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt for organizing and helping build as well. 

We're on the home stretch now of boardwalk construction and aim to complete the project this summer, which will include a launch ceremony in the coming months! To donate towards the project and help us finish, please visit: https://16.52.162.165/avatar-grove-boardwalk-now-completed-and-open/ ($100 sponsors 1 meter of boardwalk). The boardwalk is neccessary to protect the grove's ecological integrity and enhance visitor access and safety. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the project so far!! We couldn't have done it without you. Photos: TJ Watt

Recent boardwalk additions in the lower grove which span the area prone to Winter flooding.

Photo Gallery of Avatar Grove Boardwalk Construction! October 2015

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Photo Gallery: https://on.fb.me/1LCZVtCA

A big show of gratitude and thanks to the over 20 volunteers who came out to build boardwalk at Avatar Grove last weekend and to the many of you who have donated towards this project so far! We made significant progress in the lower grove, constructing close to 80ft (25 m) of new boardwalk and bridges over the area prone to flooding. These vital improvements come just in time before the heavy winter rains begin. Volunteers also worked to add traction to many metres of boardwalk, restore parts of the trail which were showing signs of wear, and helped make the route more clear to follow. There’s still a few key sets of stairs and bridges to get built but we’re making great headway on what has become one of the island’s most popular hiking trails! Thanks to Matt, Ron, Vincent, Nickey, Jessica, Nimai, Eagle, Will, Marc, Heath, Kristin, Chris, Jeremy, Shannon, Pearson College students Navo, Kevin, Will, Lauren, Michael, Matilde, Connor, and AFA boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt.

Boardwalk in the Upper Avatar Grove

New Photo Gallery and Time-Lapse of Avatar Grove Boardwalk Construction!

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Over the September long weekend, AFA’s TJ Watt and a small group of dedicated volunteers worked hard to construct a crucial new section of the boardwalk at Avatar Grove.

Photos:  https://on.fb.me/1UA4yMo
Time-lapse video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez0xdSy2xEE

In the Upper Grove, the steep slope leading down to the creek had become quite rough and slippery, so to help protect the tree roots and make it safer for everyone visiting, the group built two new platforms and sets of stairs leading down the hill. It was challenging work to say the least and lasted until nearly dark each day! The only thing left to do in that section now is add a railing on the bottom deck and stairs. 

The team also installed a beautiful bench near the Gnarly Tree so that visitors can take a break and enjoy the view at the top of the trail.

A huge thanks goes out to volunteers Scott and Nitya, Matthew and Tyrell, Max, and Sean for their long hours and excellent help. A thanks goes out as well to Slegg Lumber for providing a discount on our building supplies and to Port Renfrew Marina for hosting our camp and materials.

There’s still more work to be done though in a few sections of the trail at Avatar Grove this year – to donate towards the project ($100 sponsors 1 metre of boardwalk) please visit this link: https://16.52.162.165/avatar-grove-boardwalk-now-completed-and-open/ We’re very grateful for those of you who already have donated!!

Also, if you have some basic carpentry skills (the more the better!) and would like to volunteer in the future, please email TJ at info@16.52.162.165. We hope you enjoy the latest upgrades!

2014 Avatar Grove Boardwalk Progress and Photo Galleries

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The Ancient Forest Alliance has nearly completed the preliminary phase of boardwalk construction at the Avatar Grove in essential areas such as the steep and slippery slopes, the roots around the biggest trees, and over creeks and other obstacles. More upgrades can still be done in the future but the toughest parts are almost compete. A big thanks goes out to our volunteers and donors! Fundraising for the boardwalk project will continue as we still have more work to complete in the new year.
 
To donate towards the boardwalk please visit: https://16.52.162.165/avatar-grove-boardwalk-now-completed-and-open/ $100 helps to build 1 metre of boardwalk and you’ll receive a thank-you certificate with your name on it!
 
 
Volunteers this summer worked tirelessly to complete many things including two sets of much-needed steps up the slope towards the Gnarly Tree; many gravel steps leading into the Lower Grove; a bidge over the creek in the Upper Grove; various platforms and steps over obstacles in the Lower Grove; adding metal traction to the boardwalk surface; blocking off old trails and edging the path with logs; and more!! All of this work will help to protect the forest's delicate understory from excessive trampling, improve visitor access and safety, and help support the local economy of Port Renfrew and the Pacheedaht First Nation Band through eco-tourism.
 
A big thanks goes out to all the volunteers who have helped out so far; to the generous donors who have supported the boardwalk project; to Slegg Lumber for providing a discounted rate on many tools and supplies; and to the Port Renfrew Marina for allowing us use of their facilities. 
 
If you would like to help out with future boardwalk events, please send an email with your availability, any related experience or special skills, and physical limitations we should be aware of, to Avatar Boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt at: info@16.52.162.165 Volunteers must be able to follow instructions accurately, be in good physical condition to do the work, and act safely, responsibly and respectfully without exception.

New PHOTO GALLERIES of Avatar Grove Boardwalk progress in 2014

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The Ancient Forest Alliance and teams of dedicated volunteers have made some signigicant progress on the construction of the boardwalk at Avatar Grove this summer. A big thanks goes to those who've come out to help and to everyone who's donated towards the project!

See photos of July's work here: https://on.fb.me/1ocTApr 

See photos of August's work here: https://on.fb.me/1C0NIKG

Some of the latest additions include a beautiful new sign post at the trailhead; a much-needed bridge over the creek in the Upper Grove; a big section of stairs and platforms leading up the slope to the Gnarly Tree; new sections of landscape steps; extended bridges and platforms; and many other things!

Help us reach our $12,000 fundraising goal to complete the boardwalk this year! 

$100 sponsors 1 metre of boardwalk and you will receive a thank you certificate with your name or a friend's name if it's a gift!

  1. Donate securely online: https://16.52.162.165/avatar-grove-boardwalk-now-completed-and-open/
  2. By phone: 250-896-4007
  3. By Mail: Victoria Main PO, Box 8459, Victoria, BC V8W 3S1, Canada

If you would like to help out, please send an email with your availability, any related experience or special skills, and physical limitations we should be aware of, to Avatar Boardwalk coordinator TJ Watt at: info@16.52.162.165 Volunteers must be able to follow instructions accurately, be in good physical condition to do the work, and act safely, responsibly and respectfully without exception. Activities may include carrying heavy boardwalk planks, bucketing gravel, using hand tools, digging soil, moving rocks, etc. as well as having fun!

A collage of images featuring various sections of the Avatar Grove boardwalk completed over the May Long Weekend.

PHOTO GALLERY: Avatar Grove Boardwalk Construction Begins

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AVATAR GROVE BOARDWALK CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN — SUPPORT NEEDED DONATE.

It has begun! Over the May Long Weekend, construction began on the initial phase of the Avatar Grove Boardwalk! As thousands of visitors continue to flock to see the Avatar Grove, the boardwalk is needed to protect its ecological integrity, ensure visitor safety, and help promote eco-tourism for the Pacheedaht First Nations and the town of Port Renfrew to see the economic benefits of keeping one of the last old-growth forests in their region standing.

After working for a year to get the requisite permissions, engaging in numerous discussions with the Ministry of Forests, Pacheedaht First Nation band, Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce, and various partners, and securing the needed materials, construction finally began a couple weeks ago. The project’s start was given a major boost with volunteer help coming from the Hawkeye Tribe Men’s Team “Grunt”. The “Grunt” saw 35 skilled and dedicated men come together with the AFA’s TJ Watt to help build this community project and by doing so, we were able to complete a large amount of work in some of the most challenging sections. Both entrances have been improved, including a bridge and stairs that now lead into the Upper Grove thus removing the steep ditch climb, various bridges have been added in muddy sections, and the first viewing platform has been built near the Gnarly Tree.We must give a huge thanks to the Pacheedaht First Nation who generously milled and donated the timber for the project! We also thank the Port Renfrew Marina for hosting the camp for the volunteer team, all the volunteers themselves for their tremendous amount of hard work and dedication, to Slegg Lumber for donating many of the hardgoods needed, and Tim and Jon Cash of Soule Creek Lodge for cooking Saturday night’s incredible feast!

There is still more work to be done but we’re off to a great start! Construction will continue in stints for several weeks, led by the Ancient Forest Alliance’s TJ Watt. Watch for opportunities to volunteer in the coming summer months!
Avatar Grove is a spectacular stand of monumental, lowland old-growth redcedars – some with fantastic shapes – only a 15 minute drive from Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island in the traditional territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation. In early 2012, after an extensive public awareness and mobilization campaign for several years, the Ancient Forest Alliance succeeded in convincing the BC government to protect the Avatar Grove from logging through a new Old-Growth Management Area (OGMA).Please help this important conservation project succeed by making a DONATION of any amount!

For $100 you can FUND a 1 METRE section of boardwalk in the Avatar Grove, but any amount helps. You can also make a Gift Donation for the boardwalk on behalf of a friend or loved one. DONATE.

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