Part two of a three part series describing my experiences and what I learned while exploring the Fairy Creek ancient forest watershed on Vancouver Island
Haha yes , I trained a bit before the expedition but living out east in flatlands that cannot prepare you for 3000 feet of steep ancient temperate rainforest mountainside (both ways, down and then up) in one day. I was definitely feeling it and taking breaks by half way back up.
You will likely hear it in my voice when I publish the next post with videos.
I might have already said this, Gavin, but, boy, do I wish I could have been a stowaway on this adventure with you and your family. Even the name...Fairy Creek...What a life-changing experience it must have been. It seems absolutely incomprehensible that these magnificent standing ones are ever cut down.
I just read this about where I live: "New Hampshire is 83% forested, with about 4.8 million acres of forest land, but due to extensive clearing for agriculture and logging in the 19th century, most of the original old-growth forests were lost by 1910." :(
Thanks for sharing your experience and the spectacular photos. This post would make a stunning book. From your fellow Tree Lover to the South. XO
Thanks so much for the comment my friend, I would have loved to have you along with us :)
It was life changing, I feel a responsibility to stand up for and give a voice to the learned rooted elders I was blessed to connect with in that valley. They bestowed great healing and vision into my heart and mind.
I appreciate you speaking to the state of the forests where you live as though I do love and appreciate second growth forests I feel that holding the knowing of the ancient primary forests of our region in our hearts and minds honors them, and speaking about them is the antidote to generational amnesia. So that you for that.
It means a lot to me you like the idea of the book. I may crowd fund it and if I do I would be grateful if can help me get the word out.
Wishing you a blessed and peaceful beginning of winter.
You wrote somewhere that the reason the city/region were happy to allow the loggers to repeatedly attempt to fell old growth was they benefit from the fees.
Perhaps it is time to make a formal initiative to ring fence 'income' from old growth felling into old growth protection so the income cannot be used as a slush fund. Perhaps try to backdate the ring fencing so that the more recent felling events can fund formal protection of the remaining areas.
Even if the proposal does not stick it might enlighten people of why the perverse incentives cause the bad management of irreplaceable assets. Their value should be increased to reflect the centuries that are needed to truly regenerate an old growth stand that is impossible unless there are surrounding forests that also contain similar biodiversity.
Thanks for coming along for the adventure in spirit and taking the time to comment Brother, means a lot.
I may not have been able to make the trip without the generous support of subscribers like you.
I am gonna go back there and hike in from the bottom next time (if the forest is still standing next time I can afford a plane ticket). Sadly, the government and corrupt tribal council members still have their sights on clearcutting large portions of the valley once the limited time court order that stalled them runs out next year.
I was thinking about the idea of making this post (the previous one from the series and the next one) into a relatively short coffee table style photography dominant book as a way to raise awareness about protecting this rare rainforest habitat, what do you think?
I pray that the forest defenders will persist in their noble efforts and many others will get to experience the majesty, healing and beauty I did in that valley in the future.
Stunning photos! That must have been a sublime experience.
And then you had to hike back up the mountain?! I would have needed wings. A-Mazing! Great appreciation for this vicarious experience!
Haha yes , I trained a bit before the expedition but living out east in flatlands that cannot prepare you for 3000 feet of steep ancient temperate rainforest mountainside (both ways, down and then up) in one day. I was definitely feeling it and taking breaks by half way back up.
You will likely hear it in my voice when I publish the next post with videos.
Thanks for coming along for the journey.
I might have already said this, Gavin, but, boy, do I wish I could have been a stowaway on this adventure with you and your family. Even the name...Fairy Creek...What a life-changing experience it must have been. It seems absolutely incomprehensible that these magnificent standing ones are ever cut down.
I just read this about where I live: "New Hampshire is 83% forested, with about 4.8 million acres of forest land, but due to extensive clearing for agriculture and logging in the 19th century, most of the original old-growth forests were lost by 1910." :(
Thanks for sharing your experience and the spectacular photos. This post would make a stunning book. From your fellow Tree Lover to the South. XO
Thanks so much for the comment my friend, I would have loved to have you along with us :)
It was life changing, I feel a responsibility to stand up for and give a voice to the learned rooted elders I was blessed to connect with in that valley. They bestowed great healing and vision into my heart and mind.
I appreciate you speaking to the state of the forests where you live as though I do love and appreciate second growth forests I feel that holding the knowing of the ancient primary forests of our region in our hearts and minds honors them, and speaking about them is the antidote to generational amnesia. So that you for that.
It means a lot to me you like the idea of the book. I may crowd fund it and if I do I would be grateful if can help me get the word out.
Wishing you a blessed and peaceful beginning of winter.
💚
You wrote somewhere that the reason the city/region were happy to allow the loggers to repeatedly attempt to fell old growth was they benefit from the fees.
Perhaps it is time to make a formal initiative to ring fence 'income' from old growth felling into old growth protection so the income cannot be used as a slush fund. Perhaps try to backdate the ring fencing so that the more recent felling events can fund formal protection of the remaining areas.
Even if the proposal does not stick it might enlighten people of why the perverse incentives cause the bad management of irreplaceable assets. Their value should be increased to reflect the centuries that are needed to truly regenerate an old growth stand that is impossible unless there are surrounding forests that also contain similar biodiversity.
I have now words to say. Just amazement and great thanks to you for sharing. Remarkable and life changing I'm sure.
Thanks for coming along for the adventure in spirit and taking the time to comment Brother, means a lot.
I may not have been able to make the trip without the generous support of subscribers like you.
I am gonna go back there and hike in from the bottom next time (if the forest is still standing next time I can afford a plane ticket). Sadly, the government and corrupt tribal council members still have their sights on clearcutting large portions of the valley once the limited time court order that stalled them runs out next year.
I was thinking about the idea of making this post (the previous one from the series and the next one) into a relatively short coffee table style photography dominant book as a way to raise awareness about protecting this rare rainforest habitat, what do you think?
I pray that the forest defenders will persist in their noble efforts and many others will get to experience the majesty, healing and beauty I did in that valley in the future.
I think thats a great idea. Give lots of notice before you're thinking of going. You might get a request for a tag along. LOL
Henry David Thoreau would approve.
I used to go caving at summer camp back in the 80s & I had the same feelings.