Please Donate! https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/donations.php
Mon., Feb.27: 100 MILE DINNER ((SOLD OUT)) and CELEBRATION! ((TICKETS LEFT)) (Victoria) *info further down page*
The AFA is almost two years old!! February 24, 2010, was our official incorporation date as a registered not-for-profit society in British Columbia.
It has been an intense two years! With nothing more than a gmail account when we started, and with almost no funding, we quickly ramped up the scale of our campaigns to include tens of thousands of supporters in BC and major media coverage around the world.
Now, in 2012, with just over one year left before a BC election, the ruling BC Liberals and the opposition NDP who will likely form the next government are highly sensitive to public pressure. We need YOUR support during this MOST critical year.
Can you support us with a donation of any amount? We are limited by a lack of funding at this point, but have just about the lowest overhead of any major environmental organization. To donate go to: https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/donations.php
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon., Feb.27: 100 MILE DINNER & CELEBRATION – 2 YEAR ANNIVERARY of the ANCIENT FOREST ALLIANCE!
To celebrate the Ancient Forest Alliance’s 2 year anniversary, Social Coast is organizing a 100 Mile Dinner for the AFA with locally-produced, delicious gourmet foods prepared by renowned Vancouver Island chefs Landon Crawford and Andrew Bisson! The dinner features a “Mossy Maple” theme, in reference to the AFA’s new campaign to protect BC’s ancient bigleaf maple groves and with BC bigleaf maple syrup used with several delicious course items. Afterwards, there will be a celebration with music, drinks, speakers, a silent auction, and hob-nobbing with fellow tree-huggers!
The Ancient Forest Alliance will be two years old at the end of this month! In that time the organization has hugely grown in size and influence. Recently the BC government protected the famed Avatar Grove from logging as a result of the AFA’s campaign! See: Times Colonist article and AFA press release
DATE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27
LOCATION: Norway House, 1110 Hillside Avenue (near Graham St.), Victoria
TIMES:
6:00-7:30 pm: 100 MILE DINNER ((SOLD OUT)) *** SEE FULL DINNER DETAILS and MENU BELOW***
Includes BC Bigleaf Maple-Glazed Wild Salmon, Ancient Forest Lichen Crisps (unique and new!), homemade BC Bigleaf Maple-Drizzled Ice Cream, and more!!
Music by renowned Victoria musician Mike Edel!
7:30—9:30 pm: CELEBRATION ((TICKETS LEFT))
AFA’s 2 year overview presentation with Ken Wu, TJ Watt, and Joan Varley!
Words from renowned forest activists Valerie Langer (tentative) and Vicky Husband!
Music by renowned Victoria musician Mike Edel!
Drinks!
Silent auction of donated goods and services from local businesses!
Door prizes!
Hob-nob with fellow tree-huggers!
***100 Mile Dinner tickets are SOLD OUT***
$10 Celebration only tickets are still available for the 7:30-9:30pm portion of the night!
BUY TICKETS:
100 MILE DINNER DETAILS from SOCIAL COAST
This dinner will be created using all ingredients that are sourced no farther than 100 miles from Victoria.
The dinner will feature the professional cooking skills of Landon Crawford (Nourish Bistro and Cafe), and Andrew Bissoon (chef and owner of Fat Daddy’s BBQ and Catering). They will be dishing up a 3 course meal that will include at least a couple of ingredients you have never tried before. Along with vegetarian options for all three courses, the menu includes Wild Sockeye Salmon glazed with BC Bigleaf Maple Syrup from the Cowichan Valley, ancient forest lichen crisps (lobaria or “lettuce” lichens) foraged by the Ancient Forest Alliance’s own TJ Watt, handmade goats cheese, homemade ice cream and a couple of more surprises. You can be assured that even the salt will be sourced from within 100 miles and the flavours will make you re-think the possibilities of local cuisine.
Bartender Eric Nordal (Bard and Banker) will be creating a locally inspired cocktail as well as other pairings to compliment the evening’s cuisine.
Mike Edel, a local artist who played at this year’s Rifflandia Festival will be performing and there are a number of captivating short presentations lined up for the night, including the Ancient Forest Alliance who will give an overview of its 2 year history and its recently successful campaign to protect the Avatar Grove from logging. Bed bath and beyond promo code
100 MILE DINNER MENU
APPETIZER
Meat option: 3- spot prawns
-Herb garlic puree
-Greens
Veggie option: Roasted beet salad
-On top of mesculine greens
MAIN
Meat option: Baked or poached salmon ($2.75/piece extra)
Veggie option: Amazing mushrooms of some kind, and ancient forest lichen crisps. Upside down portabella with kale. Goats cheese in the center.
The Starch: Mashed Potatoes (en croute perhaps)
The Green: Roasted Fennel or Collard greens or both
The Sauce: BC Bigleaf Maple Verjus Gastrique (Sweet and sour sauce)
-Put it around the plate and on the salmon
The colour: Kale, fennel, arugula puree
DESSERT
Maple ice cream
-Crushed roasted hazelnuts on top
-BC Bigleaf Maple Syrup drizzle
***Note:
– Menu subject to possible revision
– Drinks are extra
For more info about the 100 Mile Dinner and menu contact Social Coast’s Lliam Hildebrand at lliam@hotmail.com, Eric Nordal at eric@socialcoast.org
For information about the celebration afterwards or about the Ancient Forest Alliance contact Joan Varley at info@staging.ancientforestalliance.org or 250-896-4007
Park acquisition fund wanted
/in News CoverageDifferent conservationist groups, at the Sooke Potholes on March 1, called on the B.C. government to form a land acquisition fund that would be dedicated to protecting park land.
Ken Wu, co-founder of the Ancient Forest Alliance, said the B.C. government had been negligent in protecting old-growth forests in the southern part of the province.
“One of the most important planks in a conservation platform that the B.C. Liberal government must commit to before a provincial election before 2013, is to commit to a B.C. park acquisition fund,” Wu told reporters.
The environmental groups are calling for a provincial acquisition fund of $40 million a year, over 10 years, amounting to $400 million. The fund would be used to purchase valuable private land at risk of logging and deforestation.
According to Wu, the acquisition fund could provide continued protection of the Muir Creek watershed, which is located12 km west of Sooke.
The Ancient Forest Alliance had a recent victory over the protection of old-growth cedars in Avatar Grove, near Port Renfrew, on Feb. 16. The provincial government protected 59.4 hectares of Crown land in the area from harvesting, which Wu called a start, but he added much more action was needed from the provincial government.
The conservationists also requested Island Timberlands, the second largest private land owner in B.C., to halt any plans for logging in contentious areas until funds can be acquired to purchase the private lands.
Joining Wu, in representation of different conservationist groups along the southern B.C. Coast, was Jason Addy, of the Friends of Stillwater Bluffs from Powell River.
Addy said the 48 hectares of private land that comprises Stillwater Bluffs has been listed as a protection priority for the Powell River Regional District. The Friends of Stillwater Bluffs is currently asking Island Timberlands for a five-year moratorium to stop future logging until the appropriate funds can be accumulated to purchase the land.
Other old-growth forests and sensitive ecosystems at risk of being logged by Island Timberlands are: Cortes Island near Campbell River, Cathedral Grove Canyon in MacMillan Park, and Cameron Valley Firebreak and McLaughlin Ridge near Port Alberni.
Island Timberlands did not return calls by press time.
Read article in the Sooke News Mirror: https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/news/141606583.html
Artists unite to protect the planet
/in News CoverageWhen photographer Frances Litman realized she was considered one of the biggest donors to local environmental charities, she was surprised.
“It made me laugh because I’m an artist,” she said. “I thought, if I’m considered a good donor, this is pretty sad.”
Through research, she says, she learned that environmental charities receive less than four per cent of all charitable giving in Canada – compared with the medical charities that receive more than 80 per cent.
“I thought, this is insanity,” she said. “I thought I was alone in this thought, but what I realized was that all of my artist friends felt the same way. So I said, ‘Why don’t we creatively unite?’ ”
The movement will take the shape of a new festival, appropriately held April 20 to 22 during Earth Week. Creatively United for the Planet, a three-day, all-ages event, will mix entertainment with opportunities to support green charities.
“It’s a way to bring the environmental charities to a fun event,” said Litman.
Several artists have donated their time to the volunteer-run festival, including Ann Mortifee, Robert Bateman, the Soul Shakers, flutist Paul Horn, the Gettin’ Higher Choir and conservation photographer Garth Lenz.
Events kick off April 20 with an all-ages Mardi Gras-themed dance party. Costumes are optional.
There will be sessions on how to make your house green, growing young gardeners and more.
Other events include creative events for kids, opportunities to learn about various animals, a fashion show, a John Lennon tribute concert and a student art auction.
Events will be held both indoors and outdoors at St. Matthias Hall.
Funds raised through the event will benefit the Sierra Club of B.C., the Western Wilderness Committee, the Dogwood Initiative, Ancient Forest Alliance, the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, the B.C. Land Conservancy/TLC, Wild Arc, RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs), Oases Conservation Society, Peace Valley Environment Association, Child and Nature Alliance, Habitat for Humanity Victoria and YES B.C.
“These charities, now more than ever, need our support if we are going to maintain the lifestyle that we want,” said Litman.
“We have to start taking it on ourselves to give more support to the people who are fighting for this.”
Local environmental charities will be present to build awareness and answer questions. A CRD information booth will also have information about regional sustainable initiatives.
Litman said not to expect a “tree hugger” event.
“This isn’t hippie; this is hip,” she said.
She also promises a “good news” festival. “It’s not about scaring people,” she said. “It’s about, OK, let’s all join together and have a great time over this three-day event.”
Read more: https://www.timescolonist.com/news/todays-paper/Artists+unite+protect+planet/6256946/story.html
B.C. conservationists call for provincial park acquisition fund
/in News CoverageForest advocates from all over the coast press the B.C. government for a conservation fund, urging private owner Island Timberlands to delay logging until they can purchase priority lands
At a press conference in Sooke, B.C. this afternoon, environmental advocates called on the provincial government to create a new park acquisition fund that could help save threatened coastal forests from logging.
• At B.C. forestry conference, Cortes Island youth voice logging concerns
• Hand-delivered petition urges Island Timberlands to reconsider logging pristine B.C. forest
• Ancient Forest Alliance confirms vital old growth in threatened Cortes Island woods
The fund, which conservationists say should raise at least $40 million per year, could be combined with the fundraising efforts of organizations and individuals to purchase lands from private owners and ensure the survival of key forest areas. Groups campaigning for forests in various parts of the province joined today to make the request, as part of an attempt to protect a number of lands slated for logging by B.C. forestry firm Island Timberlands.
“Christy Clark’s BC Liberal government must step forward with a funding solution, a BC Park Acquisition Fund similar to those of many regional districts, to purchase old-growth forests, sensitive ecosystems, and other important areas on private lands for protection – particularly Island Timberlands’ contentious lands,” said Ken Wu, co-founder of the Victoria-based Ancient Forest Alliance.
“At the same time, Island Timberlands needs put the brakes on their plans to log the last old-growth stands and contentious areas until those lands can be purchased for protection.”
Areas set to be logged by private owner Island Timberlands include large swaths of land on Cortes Island, in addition to the Stillwater Bluffs near Powell River, McLaughlin Ridge and the Cathedral Grove Canyon by Port Alberni. In each of these locations, citizens have initiated aggressive campaigns to try to negotiate with the company and prevent harmful clear-cutting practices.
Zoe Miles, a forest activist who grew up on Cortes Island, says so far public support for local conservation efforts have had a significant impact. Miles was one of the advocates behind a 6,000-signature petition that Cortes community members delivered to IT just weeks ago.
“There has been an incredible amount of public pressure about the situation on Cortes, which I think is a major factor in Island Timberlands’ recent decision to postpone their logging plans for 6 months,” she said.
“It’s a temporary victory, but it does give us more time to raise funds for land purchase. If Island Timberlands is genuinely willing to consider land sale at fair market value, then it’s the responsibility of our provincial government to listen to its electorate and help make that happen.”
Regions like the Capital Regional District around the south end of Vancouver Island have already put acquisition funds in place to create new parks from endangered areas. Partnering with citizens and organizations like the Land Conservancy of B.C., the Capital Region has managed to purchase almost 4,500 hectares of land since 2000.
With the support of the province, advocates at today’s event hope to see similar successes in places like Cortes Island. In addition to the acquisition fund, the Ancient Forest Alliance is also urging the B.C. government to implement a Provincial Old-Growth Strategy to protect endangered old-growth forests, to ensure sustainable second-growth forestry, and to ban raw log exports to foreign mills.
Read article in The Vancouver Observer: https://www.vancouverobserver.com/sustainability/2012/03/01/bc-conservationists-call-provincial-park-acquisition-fund
Eco group urges B.C. to re-form park fund – Organization highlights CRD’s model
/in News CoverageUsing a backdrop of parkland bought by the Capital Regional District, an environmental group on Thursday called on the provincial government to set up a park acquisition fund similar to that of the CRD.
A fund of at least $40 million a year, raising $400 million over 10 years, is needed if old growth and other endangered ecosystems on private lands are to be protected, said Ken Wu, Ancient Forest Alliance co-founder.
Environment Ministry spokesman Suntanu Dalal said there is no set annual budget for buying parkland, but other strategies – such as density transfers, land exchanges or partnering with organizations such as land trusts – are used for acquiring land.
Until 2008-09, there was a land acquisition budget, Dalal said. “Due to fiscal challenges, that fund no longer exists. However, the ability to continue to acquire key properties has remained,” Dalal said.
Sooke Potholes Regional Park, part of which was protected through the CRD’s park acquisition fund, is an example of what can be achieved, Wu said at a news conference.
The situation is urgent because Island Timberlands is set to log several privately owned forests with high recreational and environmental value, he said.
“The government must step forward with a funding solution,” Wu said. “At the same time, Island Timberlands needs to put the brakes on their plans to log the last old growth stands and contentious areas until those lands can be purchased for protection.”
Island Timberlands did not return calls on Thursday.
The company recently postponed logging on Cortes Island, a move that activist Zoe Miles attributes to intense public pressure. “It’s a temporary victory, but it does give us more time to raise funds for land purchase,” Miles said. “If Island Timberlands is genuinely willing to consider a land sale at fair market value, then it’s the responsibility of our provincial government to listen to its electorate and make that happen.”
Conservationists fear Cathedral Grove Canyon, near Port Alberni, and the nearby Cameron Valley Firebreak are about to be logged.
Dalal said the priority for the next fiscal year will be completing projects where there are legal obligations in place or where land with significant value is donated to the province.
“Lands are selected based on priorities for conservation, recreation or operational purposes,” he said.
Environmentalists Call for a BC Park Acquisition Fund and for Island Timberlands to Back Off until Contentious Lands can be Purchased for Protection
/in Media ReleaseConservationists are standing in solidarity today calling on coastal logging giant Island Timberlands to back off from their plans to log forests with high recreational and environmental values, including old-growth forests and sensitive ecosystems, while calling on the BC government to help purchase the company’s contentious private lands.
At McLaughlin Ridge near Port Alberni, on Cortes Island near Campbell River, at Stillwater Bluffs by Powell River, at Cathedral Grove Canyon adjacent to McMillan Provincial Park, and at the Cameron Valley Firebreak near Port Alberni, Island Timberlands’ corporate private lands include some of the most contentious forests of high conservation value in British Columbia – old-growth forests, sensitive ecosystems, and mature second-growth forests of high recreational value.
Conservationists are calling on the provincial government to establish a BC Park Acquisition Fund of at least $40 million per year, raising $400 million over 10 years, to purchase old-growth forests and other endangered ecosystems on private lands across the province. The fund would be similar to the park acquisition funds of various regional districts in BC which are augmented by the fundraising efforts of private citizens and land trusts.
“Christy Clark’s BC Liberal government must step forward with a funding solution, a BC Park Acquisition Fund similar to those of many regional districts, to purchase old-growth forests, sensitive ecosystems, and other important areas on private lands for protection – particularly Island Timberlands’ contentious lands,” stated Ken Wu, Ancient Forest Alliance co-founder. “At the same time, Island Timberlands needs put the brakes on their plans to log the last old-growth stands and contentious areas until those lands can be purchased for protection.”
“There has been an incredible amount of public pressure about the situation on Cortes, which I think is a major factor in Island Timberlands’ recent decision to postpone their logging plans for 6months,” says forest activist Zoe Miles, who grew up on Cortes Island. “It’s a temporary victory, but it does give us more time to raise funds for land purchase. If Island Timberlands is genuinely willing to consider land sale at fair market value, then it’s the responsibility of our provincial government to listen to its electorate and help make that happen.”
“Stillwater Bluffs has been identified as a priority parcel for protection as a regional park by the Powell River Regional District. It contains sensitive ecosystems and veteran old-growth trees and is a popular area used by local people for recreation,” said Jason Addy of the Friends of Stillwater Bluffs. “It is a no-brainer for a new park and Island Timberlands needs to stay away until the lands can be purchased at fair market value.”
Many regional districts in BC, such as the Capital, Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley, Strathcona, and Powell River Regional Districts have park acquisition funds to protect lands of high ecological and recreational value. The Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Land Acquisition Fund has spent over $34million dollars to purchase over 4500 hectares of land around Victoria since its establishment in the year 2000.
See https://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/preservation/newparks.htm and https://www.crd.bc.ca/media/2010/2010-01-13-land-acq-fund.htm . The CRD fund is raised through an average $14-per-household levy (increasing to $20-per-household by 2015) each year, raising roughly $3 million per year between 2010 to 2019, and has been pivotal for protecting lands of high environmental and/or recreational value at Jordan River, the Sooke Hills, the Sooke Potholes, lands adjacent to Thetis Lake Park, and at Burgoyne Bay on Salt Spring Island.
Island Timberlands (IT) is the second largest private landowner in BC, owning 258,000 hectares of private lands (https://www.islandtimberlands.com/our-company/our-present.htm)mainly on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and Haida Gwaii.
Some of the most contentious sites on Island Timberlands’ private lands include:
Cortes Island – IT owns about 1000 hectares of land on this northern Gulf Island, including the Children’s Forests, Whaletown Commons,and extremely rare old-growth “dry maritime” forests at Basil Creek and the Green Valley. As a result of community pressure, the company has temporarily backed off from plans to log on the Island until September, while the community submits ecological inventory information and proposals to the company. For more info contact Zoe Miles at wildstands.press@gmail.com See the spectacular photo gallery at: https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/photos-media/
Stillwater Bluffs – IT owns a 48 hectare dry maritime forest by Powell River which contains a rugged stretch of dramatic coastline. It is accessible to the public and offers rock bluffs, hiking trails, and unspoiled wildlife habitat that is perfect for a nature park. It is heavily used by local people and could be the local residents’ version of West Vancouver’s famous Lighthouse Park. The parcel, known as DL 3040, includes sensitive ecosystems of arbutus/rocky outcrops, second-growth Douglas fir and cedar of high community recreation and scenic value, and scattered old-growth “veteran” trees. The Powell River Regional District has expressed an interest in protecting the Stillwater Bluffs as a park. Local citizens say that Island Timberlands has committed to not log the Stillwater Bluffs within the next 6 months, but plan log it within 2 years. Formore info contact Jason Addy at jasonaddy@hotmail.com
McLaughlin Ridge – IT owns about 500 hectares (about 100 hectares of which they’ve logged in recent years) of critical old-growth wintering habitat for black-tailed deer and nesting and foraging habitat of the endangered Queen Charlotte Goshawk in this section of the China Creek water shed near Port Alberni. This area was previously planned to become a Wildlife Habitat Area and Old-Growth Management Area until the BC Liberal government removed Weyerhaeuser’s (now Island Timberlands) private forest lands on Vancouver Island from their Tree Farm License in 2004. So far IT is still planning to move ahead and log this area in the near future. For more info contact Jane Morden at janemorden@gmail.com See the spectacular photo gallery of photos by the AFA’s TJ Watt at: https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/photos-media/mclaughlin-ridge/
Cathedral Grove Canyon and the Cameron Valley Firebreak – IT owns old-growth and second-growth forests adjacent to the famed Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park near Port Alberni, including the spectacular Cathedral Grove Canyon along the Cameron River where giant old-growth Douglas firs and red cedars stand. A public outcry about the marking of these old-growth trees for potential logging seems to have put a hold on the company’s logging plans. Further up the Cameron Valley is the “Cameron Valley Firebreak”, one of the last major tracts of old-growth forest left in the valley that local communities recently learned is also being targeted for logging by IT. For more info contact Annette Tanner at wcwcqb@shaw.ca See an incredible photo gallery of Cathedral Grove Canyon at:
https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/photos-media/cathedral-grove-canyon/
The Ancient Forest Alliance is also calling on the BC government to implement a Provincial Old-Growth Strategy to protect BC’s endangered old-growth forests, to ensure sustainable second-growth forestry, and to ban raw log exports to foreign mills.
Shaw TV’s The Daily – Avatar Grove Protected
/in News CoverageDirect link to video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPnCkkbitKE
CHEK News – Avatar Grove Protected
/in News CoverageDirect link to video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKkNnujp47o
CHEK News coverage of the Avatar Grove’s official protection. *Note – The shots of the river and the otter are not from the Grove but the San Juan River nearby.
CBC Radio: All Points West radio interview with the AFA’s Ken Wu on Avatar Grove
/in News CoverageIt’s a grove of 900 year-old cedars near Port Renfrew and has attracted the attention of everyone from eco-tourists to Al Jazeera.The BC government announced Avatar Grove will be protected from logging. Ken Wu is celebrating this decision. He has spent years advocating for preservation of the area. He is the co-founder of the Ancient Forest Alliance.
[CBC Radio All Points West interview with Ken Wu no longer available]
Protection of Avatar Grove will boost tourism
/in Media ReleaseKen Wu called it a “campaign on steroids,” and Rose Betsworth called it a “soft approach,” but whatever it was called, the provincial government listened.
On Feb. 16, Steve Thomson, Minister for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, announced that all of Avatar Grove is now protected from harvesting.
Wu, co-founder of the Ancient Forest Alliance, said he would like to commend the B.C. government for protecting this key old growth forest.
“Eventually we would like to see it as a legislated park or conservancy,” said Wu.
Rose Betsworth, president of the Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce is understandably pleased. For her community it means Avatar Grove will be made more accessible with upgrades to the trails and tidying up the area leading to increased tourism to the area.
“Now we can make it better for everybody… we can put a trail in and do upkeep,” said Betsworth.
She said the Ancient Forest Alliance had the right approach which was a soft one where they educated people and gained respect out of that. The AFC included forestry workers and the small business community’s comments and concerns in their efforts to save the grove.
“They’re not a bunch of radicals,” said Betsworth in referring to the way the AFA conducted their campaign.
The campaign led to a public review and comment period during the fall of 2011, where 232 out of 236 comments expressed support for preservation of the grove.
The unique stand of old-growth cedar, 15 minutes from Port Renfrew, is now protected in an expanded old-growth management area, totaling 59.4 hectares,
TJ Watt, the other co-founder of AFA, came across the grove in December 2009, popularized it and began the goal of preserving the monumental stand of valley-bottom ancient red cedars and Douglas fir.
“We commend the B.C. government for protecting this key tract of extremely rare valley bottom ancient forest – virtually all of the valley bottoms on southern Vancouver Island where the biggest trees grow have been logged, literally 95 per cent of them, ” stated TJ Watt. “At the same time, thousands of hectares of old-growth forests are being logged every year on Vancouver Island, and millions of hectares of old-growth forests are endangered across B.C. Our main goal is to see a new provincial plan to protect all of B.C.’s endangered old-growth forests and to ensure a sustainable second-growth forest industry instead.”
To fulfil the province’s obligation to Teal-Jones Group, which holds the logging rights for Tree Farm Licence 46 where Avatar Grove is located, the boundaries of other old-growth management areas were adjusted by removing 57.4 hectares. They were compensated with 30 hectares of second-growth forests and 27 hectares of old-growth.
“We’re opposed to compensation for the company, as they don’t own the land or the trees on Crown lands – all they have are access rights to the resource through their license. If government enacts conservation regulations to protect deer or trout in areas where their populations are down, those with hunting or fishing licenses don’t get compensation for not being able to take all the deer or trout in those areas. Neither should logging companies on publicly-owned Crown forests,” said Ken Wu.
The province states in their press release, “Of the 862,125 hectares of old-growth forests on Crown land on Vancouver Island, it’s estimated that over 520,000 hectares will never be harvested.”
Read the article in the Sooke News Mirror: https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/news/139871533.html
TWO YEAR Anniversary of the Ancient Forest Alliance – Mon., Feb 27th!
/in AnnouncementsPlease Donate! https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/donations.php
Mon., Feb.27: 100 MILE DINNER ((SOLD OUT)) and CELEBRATION! ((TICKETS LEFT)) (Victoria) *info further down page*
The AFA is almost two years old!! February 24, 2010, was our official incorporation date as a registered not-for-profit society in British Columbia.
It has been an intense two years! With nothing more than a gmail account when we started, and with almost no funding, we quickly ramped up the scale of our campaigns to include tens of thousands of supporters in BC and major media coverage around the world.
Now, in 2012, with just over one year left before a BC election, the ruling BC Liberals and the opposition NDP who will likely form the next government are highly sensitive to public pressure. We need YOUR support during this MOST critical year.
Can you support us with a donation of any amount? We are limited by a lack of funding at this point, but have just about the lowest overhead of any major environmental organization. To donate go to: https://staging.ancientforestalliance.org/donations.php
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mon., Feb.27: 100 MILE DINNER & CELEBRATION – 2 YEAR ANNIVERARY of the ANCIENT FOREST ALLIANCE!
To celebrate the Ancient Forest Alliance’s 2 year anniversary, Social Coast is organizing a 100 Mile Dinner for the AFA with locally-produced, delicious gourmet foods prepared by renowned Vancouver Island chefs Landon Crawford and Andrew Bisson! The dinner features a “Mossy Maple” theme, in reference to the AFA’s new campaign to protect BC’s ancient bigleaf maple groves and with BC bigleaf maple syrup used with several delicious course items. Afterwards, there will be a celebration with music, drinks, speakers, a silent auction, and hob-nobbing with fellow tree-huggers!
The Ancient Forest Alliance will be two years old at the end of this month! In that time the organization has hugely grown in size and influence. Recently the BC government protected the famed Avatar Grove from logging as a result of the AFA’s campaign! See: Times Colonist article and AFA press release
DATE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27
LOCATION: Norway House, 1110 Hillside Avenue (near Graham St.), Victoria
TIMES:
6:00-7:30 pm: 100 MILE DINNER ((SOLD OUT)) *** SEE FULL DINNER DETAILS and MENU BELOW***
Includes BC Bigleaf Maple-Glazed Wild Salmon, Ancient Forest Lichen Crisps (unique and new!), homemade BC Bigleaf Maple-Drizzled Ice Cream, and more!!
Music by renowned Victoria musician Mike Edel!
7:30—9:30 pm: CELEBRATION ((TICKETS LEFT))
AFA’s 2 year overview presentation with Ken Wu, TJ Watt, and Joan Varley!
Words from renowned forest activists Valerie Langer (tentative) and Vicky Husband!
Music by renowned Victoria musician Mike Edel!
Drinks!
Silent auction of donated goods and services from local businesses!
Door prizes!
Hob-nob with fellow tree-huggers!
***100 Mile Dinner tickets are SOLD OUT***
$10 Celebration only tickets are still available for the 7:30-9:30pm portion of the night!
BUY TICKETS:
100 MILE DINNER DETAILS from SOCIAL COAST
This dinner will be created using all ingredients that are sourced no farther than 100 miles from Victoria.
The dinner will feature the professional cooking skills of Landon Crawford (Nourish Bistro and Cafe), and Andrew Bissoon (chef and owner of Fat Daddy’s BBQ and Catering). They will be dishing up a 3 course meal that will include at least a couple of ingredients you have never tried before. Along with vegetarian options for all three courses, the menu includes Wild Sockeye Salmon glazed with BC Bigleaf Maple Syrup from the Cowichan Valley, ancient forest lichen crisps (lobaria or “lettuce” lichens) foraged by the Ancient Forest Alliance’s own TJ Watt, handmade goats cheese, homemade ice cream and a couple of more surprises. You can be assured that even the salt will be sourced from within 100 miles and the flavours will make you re-think the possibilities of local cuisine.
Bartender Eric Nordal (Bard and Banker) will be creating a locally inspired cocktail as well as other pairings to compliment the evening’s cuisine.
Mike Edel, a local artist who played at this year’s Rifflandia Festival will be performing and there are a number of captivating short presentations lined up for the night, including the Ancient Forest Alliance who will give an overview of its 2 year history and its recently successful campaign to protect the Avatar Grove from logging. Bed bath and beyond promo code
100 MILE DINNER MENU
APPETIZER
Meat option: 3- spot prawns
-Herb garlic puree
-Greens
Veggie option: Roasted beet salad
-On top of mesculine greens
MAIN
Meat option: Baked or poached salmon ($2.75/piece extra)
Veggie option: Amazing mushrooms of some kind, and ancient forest lichen crisps. Upside down portabella with kale. Goats cheese in the center.
The Starch: Mashed Potatoes (en croute perhaps)
The Green: Roasted Fennel or Collard greens or both
The Sauce: BC Bigleaf Maple Verjus Gastrique (Sweet and sour sauce)
-Put it around the plate and on the salmon
The colour: Kale, fennel, arugula puree
DESSERT
Maple ice cream
-Crushed roasted hazelnuts on top
-BC Bigleaf Maple Syrup drizzle
***Note:
– Menu subject to possible revision
– Drinks are extra
For more info about the 100 Mile Dinner and menu contact Social Coast’s Lliam Hildebrand at lliam@hotmail.com, Eric Nordal at eric@socialcoast.org
For information about the celebration afterwards or about the Ancient Forest Alliance contact Joan Varley at info@staging.ancientforestalliance.org or 250-896-4007