The Avatar Grove and “Canada’s Gnarliest Tree” were identified by Ancient Forest Alliance activists in December 2009. This magnificent forest, within the traditional territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation, is located near Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and was declared off-limits to logging through a new Old-Growth Management Area in February 2012. This was after a 2-year campaign spearheaded by the Ancient Forest Alliance, involving a broad-based movement of thousands of people from all walks of life, as well as the Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce and small business community.

Ultimately we want to see a new, legislated park or conservancy, and the larger plan is to ensure that the BC government protects all of BC’s endangered old-growth forests and ensures a sustainable, value-added second-growth forest industry instead. Sign the online petition to protect BC’s old-growth forests and forestry jobs.

Photography by TJ Watt.

Directions to Avatar Grove >