Published and News

Press: Endangered Upper Walbran Valley - Photos & News Coverage

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Anyone who has been to the Upper Walbran Valley knows it is a truly exceptional place. At the heart of the valley lies the largest contiguous tract of unprotected, lowland old-growth forest left outside of parks on southern Vancouver Island; which includes the Castle Grove and the Central Walbran Ancient Forest. I recently visited the area to photograph signs of new potential logging plans in the core area and the amazing forest that is threatened there. Subsequent to the trip I wrote a blog for Huffington Post British Columbia which they just featured on the front page on their website (above)!

To read the story, see photos, and learn more, please visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/tj-watt/not-all-is-well-bc-woods_b_6201668.html

We also received news coverage on the issue from other major news sources:

And here are a few short clips I filmed while exploring the at-risk forest with my partner Jackie:

It's time to see this jewel of nature saved once and for all!

Press: Honourable Mention in 'Adventure' - 2014 BC Magazine Photo Contest

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Happy to learn that I received an Honourable Mention in the Adventure category of British Columbia Magazine's 2014 Photo Contest. This was my first time photographing mountain biking, making it a fun, fast-paced challenge, and I was stoked to come out with some decent images. After shooting a lot of skateboarding in the past however, there were thankfully some transferable techniques that helped make it a success. Big thanks to the talented riders who let me chase them on foot down hills and through the forest, asking them to fly off cliffs in near darkness while I blinded them with my flash! Congrats to the other winners as well :)

Press: Portrait for Canadian Wildlife

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It was great to have the opportunity to meet and photograph biologist Stan Orchard for a recent article in Canadian Wildlife magazine. Stan has been working tirelessly to eradicate the invasive American bullfrog from Vancouver Island as it spreads and takes over the habitat of many native species. A lack of government funding and the sheer number of frogs make for a difficult task but Stan has pioneered his own unique and successful method for capturing them. To learn more, grab the issue of Canadian Wildlife or visit Stan's website, Bullfrog Control.

The BC Big Tree Registry is Now Online - Submissions Welcomed!

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Exciting news! The BC Big Tree Registry, which aims to document the province's largest trees via public submissions, has been re-launched by the UBC Faculty of Forestry online. See their press release here. Any member of the public can become a nominator and make submissions through the online registry here: http://bcbigtree.ca/  More information about the registry and how to properly measure trees can also be found here: http://bigtrees.forestry.ubc.ca/ 

I just had my first nomination accepted - Big Lonely Doug, Canada's second largest Douglas-fir tree (ID#386), which we sadly came across in a clearcut near Port Renfrew in 2012. I'm excited at the prospect though of nominating many more giant trees as I stumble upon them in the woods now that the submission process has been digitized. In the past, the database was all on paper and only included the top 10 trees for each species, whereas now all forest giants can be cataloged. Though the registry affords the trees no legal protection, it should help to reignite interest in these increasingly rare and exceptional specimens and inspire folks to get out into the woods to find new hidden treasures. A hopeful spinoff from this is raised awareness of the threats still facing our endangered old-growth forests and more pressure on the BC government to protect them from logging - especially in the high productivity areas where the biggest trees are found and the forests are most threatened. See maps here.

The news media did a great job covering the re-launch and all outlets included a selection of my big tree photos in their articles which was cool to see. The Huffington Post ran an huge photo gallery with over 50 of my images!

With big trees in mind, I encourage everyone to grab their boots, break out their maps, and see what hidden giants they can find in their neck of the woods. Remember to always leave a trip plan with a responsible friend and pack the necessary first aid & outdoor survival equipment. Happy tree hunting!

You just never know what you might find when exploring. I came across this giant burly western redcedar tree while on a solo bushwhack in the Gordon River Valley outside of Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island in 2012.

McLaughlin Ridge - Alberni Valley News

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Here's a cover photo of mine in the Alberni Valley News, highlighting recent logging by Island Timberlands on McLaughlin Ridge; an old-growth forest of high ecological value near Port Alberni. Click here to read the article. The area was originally intended for protection by the provincial government as an Ungulate Winter Range (UWR) and Wildlife Habitat Area (WHA), until the province’s plans changed when it removed the lands from Tree Farm Licence 44. The removal of the lands in 2004 included the stipulation from the BC government that a follow-up agreement be developed between the company and the government to ensure the protection of McLaughlin Ridge and other intended UWR’s and WHA’s - however, both parties failed to pursue the agreement, and the lands are now being logged.  A conservation solution for these lands is needed before it's too late.

See more of my photos of logging on McLaughlin Ridge from that trip here: http://on.fb.me/1qeaXhn

Times Colonist Cover Photo - Avatar Grove Protected!

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What an exciting time! I'm thrilled and relieved to be able to celebrate that just last week the Avatar Grove was officially protected from logging! Above is the iconic photo of "Canada's Gnarliest Tree" on the cover of last Friday's Times Colonist. It's been incredible seeing how things evolved so quickly from when myself and a friend first stumbled upon the grove for the first time just over 2 years ago as an unknown place to it becoming the hottest old-growth campaign of the decade! Great to be able to walk through the giant redcedars and Douglas-firs now knowing that they will most likely be there when we return. Victory!