Ancient Forest Alliance
303-620 View St. V8W 1J6 Victoria, BC, Canada

Forests Minister Katrine Conroy says the BC government is "committed" to implementing the old-growth recommendations, but has already missed a critical milestone by a long shot. She also says a "moratorium" on old-growth logging (not the same as deferrals for at-risk old-growth - which is what British Columbians want to see and what government promised - followed by long-term protections) would be a job killer. But at the same time, the province has developed no plan nor committed any funding to support First Nations and forest based communities transition. Premier Horgan and the BC NDP need to do much better. And fast.

More news coverage about John Horgan's abysmal old-growth report card. "The [old growth] report last April co-written by Garry Merkel urged B.C. to act within six months to defer harvesting in old forest ecosystems at the highest risk of permanent biodiversity loss. There (are) some of those ecosystems targeted for harvesting right now, he said in an interview this week... I do share the impatience of a lot of folks.... https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/b-c-urged-to-protect-at-

Here's news coverage of Premier Horgan's failing old-growth report card with quotes from AFA campaigner Andrea Inness. Despite the province's reassurances that they intend to implement the Old Growth Panel recommendations, more endangered ancient forests are falling every day, putting biodiversity and community resilience at risk. If Premier Horgan fails to protect these forests, support First Nations' economies, and fund the transition to a sustainable, second-growth forest sector, the consequences will be much worse than a failing grade.

10 Day Countdown for At-Risk Ancient Forest - Day 0 Today is the six-month deadline for the BC NDP government to stick to its promise to defer logging in BC’s at-risk ancient forests. Over 500 British Columbians have called Forests Minister Conroy and Premier John Horgan in last 10 days, demanding action. Will you join them?... Click to call now: https://www.ancientforestalliance.org//call-provincial-de/ The last at-risk ancient forest we’re highlighting in our 10-day series is the Caycuse watershed in Ditidaht territory on Vancouver Island. TJ’s gut-wrenching before-and-after photos of giant cedars logged there in 2020 sparked international outrage at BC’s destructive logging practices. Sadly, road building in the Caycuse continues and even more cutblocks of ancient forest (the grey areas on the map below) are slated to be logged unless the BC government intervenes. Phone or email Forests Minister Katrine Conroy and Premier Horgan now and demand action for ancient forests like the Caycuse before they’re lost forever. Make the call: https://www.ancientforestalliance.org//call-provincial-de/ Email Premier Horgan: [email protected] Email Minister Conroy: [email protected]

The Ancient Forest Alliance, Wilderness Committee, and Sierra Club BC released a scathing six-month report card today, assessing the BC government's lack of progress on old-growth forests since its Old Growth Strategic Review report was released in September. After promising to implement the old growth panel's recommendations "in their entirety," the province has temporarily deferred logging in only 3,800 hectares of unprotected, at-risk old-growth. They've also failed to al...locate any additional provincial funding, develop an implementation plan, begin the paradigm shift that was promised, or improve public trust through better communication and transparency. This isn't action, it's talk and log. Read our joint press release here: https://www.ancientforestalliance.org/six-month-old-growth/

As industry continues to high-grade BC's rarest and biggest trees, it's getting harder for many First Nations to access enough ancient red and yellow cedars for current and future cultural practices like carving dugout canoes & totems. The Nanwakolas Council's large cultural cedar protocol is designed to identify and protect cultural cedars from industrial harvest and has provisions around bear den protection, habitat restoration, and stewardship around salmon streams. https://www.nationalobserver.com//west-coast-first-nations

The Forest Practices Board has found that outdated industry standards and a problematic definition of "old-growth" has put biodiversity and ecosystem integrity at risk in the Prince George Timber Supply Area (BC's largest TSA). Ecologist Dr. Karen Price says The damage to ecological integrity in the Prince George TSA is extensive and undeniable. It’s worse than ‘at risk.’ Already much has been lost moose, grizzlies, marten, salmon populations have dropped precipitously. I...t's past time the BC government overhauled its destructive, status quo forest policies. Speak up! Send a (NEW!) message today https://www.ancientforestalliance.org/take-/send-a-message/

With the new year upon us and the NDP having promised to implement all of the Old Growth Panel's recommendations, all eyes are now on the BC government to follow through, starting with halting logging in the most endangered ancient forests. Without intervention, the vast majority of BC's remaining unprotected old-growth forests will be logged, leading to ecological collapse, job loss, and economic hardship for forest-based communities. This year, the province must come up with a bold transition plan that supports workers and communities, funding for Indigenous-led land use plans and protected areas, and legislation that protects old-growth based on science. There's no time to waste.

**Ancient Forest Alliance Office Holiday Closure** The AFA office will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 3 as staff spend time at home with their families. During this downtime, we will be checking emails and phone messages periodically and will reply to most queries when we return ready and refreshed in the new year. Thank you for your support. Wishing you a safe, happy holiday season!... For the forests, ~AFA Team

We’re so grateful to the many businesses who support our work and give generously to help protect BC’s ancient forests. Here are a few businesses we would like to thank: Arc’teryx Victoria is donating proceeds from their large die cut stickers sold in store, plus have included us as a recipient in their Celebrating Connec---tion campaign which donates $5 from every t-shirt to a select, local non-profit organization. https://www.instagram.com/arcteryxvictoria/ OnwardUP for the...ir very generous donation: https://onwardup.com/ Silent Forest Designs is gifting $1 from every sale of their nature inspired artwork! https://silentforestdesigns.ca/ Skye Dreamer is donating 10% of proceeds from sales of their nature art calendars. http://www.skyedreamer.ca/2021na/ Please check their websites for more information. Thank you again!

Top-down view of one of hundreds of ancient cedars clearcut in the Caycuse Valley. Counting the rings on this tree, it was an estimated 800 years old or older. Who's waiting around until the year 2800 to see a tree like this again? Send an instant message to politicians demanding they protect BC's endangered old-growth forests today: ancientforestalliance.org/send-a-message