B.C.’s oldest tree hugger gets some love for protecting old-growth trees

B.C.’s oldest tree hugger has been publicly recognized for decades of work protecting the province’s old-growth trees.

Dr. Al Carder, 104, received the Forest Sustainablity Award from the Ancient Forest Alliance on Tuesday for his work documenting, researching and promoting some of Canada’s most magnificent trees.

Carder is known for his work in the late ‘70s drawing public attention to the world’s largest standing Douglas fir, the nearly 74-metre-tall Red Creek Fir in Port Renfrew. Discovered by loggers in 1976, the Red Creek Fir was first measured by Carder, who became an advocate for its protection.

He was Canada’s first agrometeoroligst, studying the effects of weather and climate on agriculture, and he worked for the federal agriculture service.

Carder has also written a number of books on the topic of big trees, including Forest Giants of the World: Past and Present.

Ken Wu, executive director of the Ancient Forest Alliance, credited Carder with helping foster the rise of an “ancient forest movement.”

Read more: https://www.theprovince.com/tree+hugger+gets+some+love+protecting+growth+trees/10419618/story.html