Exploring and documenting BC’s old-growth forests and the impacts of industrial logging on the ground is a monumental task, especially in more remote areas. One can spend days, weeks, months, driving logging roads in search of the next giant tree - or giant clearcut - and you still wouldn't be able to see it all. So when Nick Temos of the Pacific Northwest Collective approached me to with the idea to have the Ancient Forest Alliance collaborate with his group on conservation issues - which included the amazing opportunity to fly over these landscapes - I jumped at it. After meeting for coffee and discussing potential endangered areas to focus on over summer, Nick suggested we get up in the air that afternoon to practice shooting some photos and communicating ideas. Our route took us from Victoria over Duncan, up the Cowichan Valley and over the Nitinat Lake region, including the Nitinat Triangle, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Cheewhat Lake, Oyees Lake, and Doobah Lake. We also spent some time over the Klanawa Valley, documenting the devastating impacts of old-growth logging by Western Forest Products. I'm hugely grateful for Nick and the Pacific Northwest Collective's interest in furthering conservation efforts from a birds-eye-view. Expect to see the results of many more flights in the near future!
Snapshot: Roosevelt Elk near Port Renfrew
Near the town of Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island's west coast, Roosevelt elk, the Island's largest mammal, can often be found grazing in the estuaries of the San Juan and Gordon Rivers. It's such a peaceful experience sitting and watching from forest edge as these humble animals go about their daily lives. The rainforests of the pacific northwest are home to some of the most beautiful natural scenes on Earth.
Canon 5D MKII, 70-200 f.4 IS (This scene left me wishing for a longer telephoto lens!)
Snapshot: Black Bear
in Wildlife
Saw this cute guy on my way back from Port Renfrew last evening. He had such an expressive face!
Press: Old-Growth Logging In Walbran Could Trigger Protests
Times Colonist article on recent logging developments in the Upper Walbran Valley. Read here: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/old-growth-logging-in-walbran-could-trigger-protests-group-1.1962233
Exposed: Logging in the Walbran Valley - Vancouver Island
I've been a little absent from posting on here over the last while but I've been out in the field shooting a lot and gathering new work. I'll be playing catch up over the next few weeks, sharing with you images of the large-scale old-growth logging that still continues here on Vancouver Island. About 75% of the original, productive old-growth forests have already been logged on BC’s southern coast, including over 90% of the valley-bottom ancient forests where the largest trees grow - we have very little time left to save what remains. By continuing to capture and share these photos and maps, I hope to put a tangible face to these remote but incredible valleys and groves. Today's post features old-growth logging by Western Forest Products up road W730 in the Walbran Valley.
