Powell River Spotlight: Mt. Freda & Eldred Valley Ancient Forests

In September 2021, members of the Ancient Forest Alliance team travelled to Powell River on the west coast of BC to explore the ancient forests of Mt. Freda and the Eldred Valley and produce our second community spotlight video. The region, which is home to Canada’s oldest recorded trees, has been stewarded by the Tla'amin, shíshálh, Klahoose, and K'ómoks, First Nations since time immemorial.

It’s also been exploited by logging since the 19th century. But now, Powell River is starting to diversify its economy through outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities. With stunning, world-class climbing walls, rugged coastal forests, and towering red and yellow cedars, it’s no wonder many in the local community are determined to change the future of forestry and protect the region’s natural environment.

In addition to some exploration, we were fortunate to interview Erik Blaney of the Tla'amin First Nation, an advocate for the creation of Tribal Parks that protect old-growth in Tla’amin territory; Dr. Andrew Bryant, an ecologist with a lifetime of experience researching wildlife in coastal British Columbia; Christie Dionne, local climber and member of the Powell River Climber's Access & Development Society; and Jill-Marie Bronson, a recreationist and one of the founders of the qathet Old-Growth group.

According to new government old-growth maps released earlier this month, a number of at-risk ancient groves on Mt. Freda and in the Eldred Valley have been recommended for immediate logging deferrals. But political will and significant funding are still missing to support First Nations communities, such as the Tla’amin Nation, in establishing Indigenous Protected Areas that conserve old-growth while also supporting sustainable economic alternatives to old-growth logging.

Add your voice! Send a message to the BC government now, calling for urgently needed funding to defer AND permanently protect at-risk ancient forests: https://ancientforestalliance.org/fun...

Thank you to Patagonia for supporting the creation of this film.
Video production by Wildland Media.