In June 2020, members of the Port Alberni Watershed-Forest Alliance led the Ancient Forest Alliance into an unprotected grove of old-growth forest near Port Alberni in Hupacasath and Tseshaht territory.
Located on the steep slopes of the Taylor River Valley, the stand boasts rare ancient Douglas-fir trees and old-growth redcedars; a beautiful, fern-laden understory; and important habitat for black bears and other wildlife. It’s also flagged for logging. BC Timber Sales, the government’s own logging agency, has roughly nine old-growth cutblocks planned in the upper valley totalling approximately 191.15 hectares or about 357 football fields.
Clearcutting on the steep slopes will have immediate downstream ecological impacts, especially for the Taylor River, where the federal government and others have made significant investments into restoration of fish habitats to support recreational fisheries.
