This spring I was super surprised and thrilled to have a chance to share my before & after images and story with Red Bull - yes Red Bull! Their magazine, The Red Bulletin, has a monthly readership of 2.2 million and getting images of both the beauty and destruction of BC’s ancient forests in front of as many people as possible is always one of my main goals. The international audience this year has been huge. John Horgan and the BC NDP, the world is watching! Read the interview here: https://issuu.com/redbulletin.com/docs/0521_uk_drucklowres/20
Forests
Patagonia: The Ancient Tree Hunter
Here's a feature length interview I did for Patagonia on a life of searching for giant trees, documenting their beauty & destruction, and trying to see them saved. Big thanks to Jayme Moye for the words and Jeremy Koreski Gallery for the photos in the field: https://www.patagonia.com/stories/the-ancient-tree-hunter/story-99992.html
New study reveals old-growth forests are worth more to BC economy standing than logged
BREAKING: A new economic study, released today by the Ancient Forest Alliance, reveals old-growth forests are worth more standing than logged when considering the many economic benefits their ecosystem services provide.
By refuting the narrative that protecting old-growth hinders the economy, the study provides even more reason for the BC NDP to take immediate steps to protect ancient forests for the benefit of all British Columbians.
Read the report and AFA’s press release for details: https://www.ancientforestalliance.org/old-growth-economic-report/
Caycuse Logging From Above
Aerial images captured near the start of this month highlight the brutal impact of old-growth logging in the Caycuse watershed in Ditidaht territory. The original 33 hectare clearcut from Teal-Jones, where the now-famed ‘before & after’ images were taken, stands out in shocking scale. Fresh old-growth logging can be seen in a number of adjacent cutblocks as well, which were approved earlier this year by the BC NDP despite its own panel’s recommendations to defer logging in endangered areas.
The BC government must step up and support real solutions, such as providing funding for First Nations and forest-dependent communities to expand protected areas, diversify their economies, and rapidly transition to a more sustainable, value-added second-growth forest industry.
Every day that John Horgan delays taking immediate action, centuries-old forests, and the complex web of life found amongst them, are disappearing forever.
SPEAK UP! Send your message to government today: https://www.endangeredecosystemsalliance.org/news/bc-protected-areas
BC government’s forestry announcement fails to address old-growth crisis
An 800-year-old redcedar logged by Teal-Jones in the Caycuse Valley.
The Ancient Forest Alliance is highly critical of yesterday’s announcement by John Horgan and the BC NDP government of its intentions to modernize BC’s forest policies while at the same time failing to address the ongoing old-growth crisis. See the press release and articles below for further details.
Fairy Creek Headwaters in the Snow
in Exploration, Forests
The magical ancient forests of Fairy Creek in the snow. These giant yellow cedars - which can live to be upwards of 2000 years old - are what logging company Teal-Jones is after.
Road construction into the headwaters of this unlogged valley near Port Renfrew in Pacheedaht territory in August 2020 sparked what has now become the longest running blockade movement in BC’s history.
Today the RCMP announced they will be moving in to forcibly remove people who are not only standing up for the protection of Fairy Creek but all of BC’s endangered old-growth forests.
Premier John Horgan and the BC NDP must stop this escalation of the War in the Woods by deferring logging where their own report says they should (the high productivity and at-risk old-growth); committing significant funding for the sustainable economic development of First Nations communities as an alternative to old-growth logging; allocating funding to support workers and communities to transition to a value added, second-growth forest industry; and creating a dedicated Natural Lands Acquisition Fund to purchase and protect endangered ecosystems on private lands.
The polarization of this issue as a jobs vs. environment must end for the sake of both the people and our planet.
MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD! Use our Contact Decision Makers page here: https://www.ancientforestalliance.org/contact-decision-makers/
BC Magazine: Fallen Giants Cover Story
I’m thrilled to have landed the cover story of British Columbia Magazine with my before & after images from the Caycuse Valley! So much effort goes into capturing these shots and my hope is always that they reach as wide an audience as possible to help raise awareness about the threats old-growth forests still face. These images have now reached over 2 million people on Facebook alone, have been featured in international news media and magazines, and will now be delivered to households all over BC. Grab a copy to see the photo essay and write-up inside.
Maclean's: The Battle to Save BC's Old-Growth Trees - Before It's Too Late
The latest coverage on the old-growth issue in Macleans’ Magazine is a great read that takes a look back at the original 'War of the Woods', what's building again today on Vancouver Island, and how visual imagery is helping millions of people become aware and care about this crisis in the age of social media. Read the article here: www.macleans.ca/longforms/british-columbia-old-growth-trees