Wilderness Committee Videos
Our online video library is a unique presentation of our history and of some of the campaigns we have worked on. Follow us from the Walbran Valley to Elk Creek, stand with us to defend Canada's endangered species, uncover the Grinch who stole the South Chilcotins, and witness the Squamish Nation's land use planning process, among others. View each video by clicking on the title or the picture. You will need quicktime to view these videos, which you can download and install easily if you don't already have it. Some of our videos are available in VHS format in our store. Enjoy!
August / September 2007 - A short slide show and video about the Wilderness Committee S&M Creek research camp at Spotted Owl management site being logged.
Save Lost Valley (2004) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 6 min 38 sec
Journey to the Cayoosh Range, west of Lillooet to see the 20 kilometre long Lost Valley. This is pristine wilderness rich in First Nation's cultural sites. Hear from Chief Gary John, of the Seton Band (a St at imc community) who explains why he wants this natural area protected from logging and industrial tourism development.
Working Forest (2004) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 1 min 39 sec.
Learn about how the BC Liberal government planned to give away public rights in BC's forests to private logging corporations. The proposed Working Forest Legislation, if passed would have eliminated environmental laws pertaining to the public's forests, increased raw log exports thereby displacing BC mill workers and made it more difficult to resolve the land question with First Nations in an honourable way.
Manning Clearcut Campout (2004) by Jeremy Williams
7 min 29 sec
In the spring of 2004 when BC Timber Sales was clearcutting an area in the heart of the Manning/Skagit Park complex the Wilderness Committee worked to bring public attention to the logging operation. A campout weekend was quickly organized and participants gathered to survey the destruction. The forest that had been cut was a designated area to be managed for the conservation of the Northern spotted owl, Canada's most endangered bird species. Campout participants held a "Race against extinction" to protest the loss of critical endangered species habitat.
Squamish Landuse Management Plan (2003) by Jeremy Williams
30 minute video in 3 parts. Part 1: 8 min 59 sec, part 2: 7 min 41 sec, part 3: 12 min 31 sec. Video in large and small format.
A truly remarkable video. Follow the process that the Squamish Nation used as they collected information from their community members in order to design a land use plan for the forests and wilderness of their territory. Out of this process came a number of land use designations, including "Wild Spirit Place" designation for the Upper Elaho, Sims Valley, West side of the Squamish River, and Upper Callaghan Valley.
The Ents Go Marching... (2003) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 14 min 36 sec
Watch as the Wilderness Committee's Ken Wu escalates the campaign to stop the BC Liberal's proposed Working Forest legislation. Witness a demonstration on the lawn of the Legislature in Victoria using the giant tree creatures known as "Ents" made famous in the Lord of the Ring books.
October 1 trip to Anderson Creek (2003) by Scott Nelson
Duration: 6 min
The Wilderness Committee went to court several times over the course of a couple of years in a desperate attempt to get this logging of spotted owl habitat stopped. Though the Wilderness Committee was successful in getting some other areas put off-limits to logging, a critical piece of habitat in the Anderson Creek Valley, near Yale BC was given to Cattermole Timber Co. to log. Go along with Wilderness Committee Campaign Director Joe Foy as he cycles up the logging road to see the forest one last time as it is being cut down. Learn about on going efforts to protect the habitat of Canada's spotted owl, our nation's most endangered bird species.
Boycott Farmed Salmon (2003) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 3 min 14 sec.
When a sea lice infestation killed off several million young wild pink salmon migrating past a cluster of salmon farms off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, public demands to close the salmon farms became louder. The Wilderness Committee set up a roving protest with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs in early 2003 in front of Lower Mainland establishments selling farmed salmon to educate the public on the perils of buying a product that threatens the wild runs' very survival.
International Day of Action for Clayoquot Sound (2003) by Jeremy Williams
Duration 5 min.
Ten years after the 1993 big protests over logging in Clayoquot Sound, most of the intact valleys are off-limits to logging. However, the Friends of Clayoquot Sound, (the local forest protection group) still have a bone to pick with International Forest Products (Interfor) about the company's continued logging of ancient forest there. See the Friends mount protests here in BC and around the world in their ongoing fight to protect the forests of Clayoquot Sound.
Betty Krawczyk and the Working Forest (2003) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 5 min 58 sec
Listen to activists like the Wilderness Committee's Ken Wu, as they gather in front of the BC Supreme Court buildings in Vancouver to give support to Betty Krawczyk, jailed for protesting the BC government's proposed Working Forest legislation. Here how the use of Contempt of Court proceedings against environmental protesters turns them into political prisoners
Elk Creek Town Hall Meeting (2003) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 10 min 37 sec.
Wilderness Committee Campaign Director Joe Foy explains the organization's efforts to protect Elk Creek in the face of an aggressive push by Cattermole Timber Co. to selectively log around a grove of giant Douglas fir trees there.
Ut'sam: Witness 2003 by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 13 min 28 sec
This beautifully shot and produced video documents the Squamish Nation's Witness Program (Ut'sam in the Squamish language) Natives and non Natives gather in the Sims Valley, a Squamish Nation Wild Spirit Place to learn about Squamish culture, history and about the still wild parts of their territory.
Blue Mountain, March 2003 Jeremy Williams
Duration: 4 min 31 sec
Go for a canoe ride on Alouette Lake to see the Wilderness Committee's Blue Mountain Protected Area proposal. Learn why local people want this forested area north of Maple Ridge BC put off limits to logging and designated for recreation and nature preservation.
Save Elk Creek (2002) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 3 min 51 sec.
Hear from big tree expert Ralph Kelman and other conservationists making the case for the protection of the Elk Creek rainforest, located near Chilliwack BC. See the tallest remaining trees in the Fraser Valley.
Spotted Owl Report Press Conference (2002) by Scott Nelson
Duration:3:36
This video shows highlights of the 2002 news conference for the release of the report "Logging to Extinction" which is documents which logging companies are most responsible for logging the old growth habitat of the endangered Northern spotted owl.
Squamish Nation Environmental Youth Team (2002) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 9 min 11 sec.
Travel with a youth group from the Squamish Nation to the Upper Elaho Valley and the Hundred Lakes Plateau. This area has been designated as a "Wild Spirit Place" by the Squamish Nation. Hear what the young people have to say as they experience the wild northern limits of their territory.
Funeral for Canada's Species at Risk Act (2002) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 10 min 1 sec.
The Wilderness Committee in early 2002 held a protest in front of the then Canadian Environment Minister's Victoria BC office in a bid to convince him to strengthen the proposed Species At Risk Act. The Honourable David Anderson did not come out to greet the protestors, who left at his doorstep the signatures of thousands of Canadians who wish to see strong legislation to protect the nation's endangered species.
Save the Spotted Owl (2002) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 3 min 31 sec.
Spotted owl biologist Andy Miller follows logging roads on the west side of the Fraser River near Lillooet to check out reports of a BC government approved logging operation in a spotted owl nest site. He is shocked by what he finds.
Maple ridge defeats M5 heavy industrial zoning (2002) by Jeremy Williams
Hear how the citizens of Maple Ridge filled their town hall to tell the Mayor and Counsel not to zone land next to Golden Ears Provincial Park for heavy industry. See grassroots democracy to protect our parks in action!
Defend the Upper Walbran Valley! (2001) by Richard Boyce
Watch this exciting and informative documentary video on the ecology and politics of Vancouver Island's most spectacular, unprotected ancient forest: the 7500 hectare Upper Walbran Valley, located on southwest Vancouver Island. You are going to really enjoy seeing the beauty of the lush rainforest and your blood will boil at the sight of the ongoing logging. By the end of the video you will be making plans to visit the Walbran to see for yourself!
Exporting BC's Future (2001) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 15 min 52 sec.
Hear from forest workers and environmentalists how raw log exports are hurting BC's working families and our forest environment. A fascinating look at how some timber companies are maximizing profits at the expense of the communities in which they exist. Meet the activists that are fighting back.
The Grinch Who Stole the South Chilcotins (2001) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 6 min 47 sec.
As corporate mining giant Teck Cominco actively backed the lobby to roll back the boundaries of the South Chilcotin Mountains Park, the Wilderness Committee fought back with the Santa Brigade protests in front of company headquarters. Hear what the Santas have to say about the fabulous South Chilcotin Mountains Park. Learn why BC Premier Gordon Campbell and Teck Cominco deserve socks full of coal on Christmas Day for their efforts to diminish our provincial parks system.
Ut'sam: The Witness Project (2001) by Jeremy Williams
Duration: 6 min 43 sec.
The dreamlike opening of this video compares the urban world of Vancouver to the natural world of the Sims Valley Wild Spirit Place. A two hour journey by car separates these two very different worlds. Hear from Squamish Nation leaders and from conservationists as they make the case that we need wild nature to protect our spirits, as much as wild nature needs us to protect it.
Wedge to the Ledge (2000) by Jeremy Williams
Video in 4 parts and in two formats. Part 1: 10 min 47 sec, part 2: 8 min 38 sec, part 3: 8 min 38 sec, part 4: 15 min 22 sec. Duration approximately 44 minutes. (full story)
This Wilderness Committee video epic describes one of the successful tactics used to get International Forest Products to halt logging in the Sims and Elaho Valleys of the Stoltmann Wilderness. Wood wedges, left over by loggers after falling thousand year old Douglas fir trees in the Upper Elaho Valley were collected by WCWC volunteers and placed in a couple of wheelbarrows. The wedges were then wheeled and canoed several hundred kilometres to the Legislature in Victoria in a bid to raise the public profile of the area. Come along for a wild ride!
Rainshadow Wilderness (2000) by Tom Perry
Duration: 11 min 51 sec.
Go for a ride in a small aircraft with noted conservationist Dr. Tom Perry as he flies over and describes wilderness areas needing protection in the Lillooet area. See the South Chilcotin Mountains, Cayoosh Range, Bendor Range and many other spectacular natural areas in this very informative video exploration.
Sulpher Passage (1993) by Bob Bossin
Duration: 4 min 52 sec.
This powerful video was produced to bring world attention to the 1993 arrests of peaceful protestors at Clayoquot Sound. Though the logging of the large pristine areas of Clayoquot Sound have been stopped, forest activists in Clayoquot Sound and all over BC continue to work against on-going logging of oldgrowth forests. This video is a "must see" for those wishing to recharge their activist energy levels and to remember the brave actions of those Clayoquot defenders who made Canadian history.
Sophie (1990) by Terry Jacks
Duration: 32 sec.
A strong reminder that the forest lands of BC are all within First Nation's territories and that there is a tremendous legacy of traditional forest knowledge held by the elders. See how clearcut logging and pulp mill pollution are degrading the ancient forests.
The Faceless Ones (1990) by Jack Whyte and Terry Jacks
Duration: 4 min 41 sec.
This video is sure to send shivers up and down your spine resulting in a stiffened backbone! Produced well over a decade ago to encourage British Columbians to vote in support of environmental protection it is as current today as when it was first produced. For those anticipating voting for the first time in their lives, or for those who have voted in many a BC election, this video is a must see.
