Walbran's Astounding "Castle Grove"
Several hundred giant redcedars grow in close proximity to each other in the threatened Upper Walbran's phenomenal Lower Castle Grove.
One of the world's most incredible stands of huge old trees is the endangered "Castle Grove" in the Upper Walbran Valley. Known to very few people, it's named for the fortress-like "candelabra" forked tops of the giant cedars growing there. It takes only one hour to reach the grove by an easy hiking trail from the end of a logging road. Hundreds of the most magnificent cedars, ranging between 2 to 5 metres (6 to 16 feet) in diameter grow here in very close proximity to each other, both on the flats (Lower Castle Grove) and the slope (Upper Castle Grove).
In addition to the fabulous redcedars are a few giant Douglas firs (including the massive snag pictured on page 2) sprinkled throughout the Upper Castle Grove like a rare spice. All indications point to this Grove as the home of many threatened marbled murrelet nests. It is also frequented by cougars, bears, deer, goshawks and screech owls.
It is one of the most spectacular cathedral-like heritage groves on the Pacific Coast of North America, ranking in grandeur with the great redwoods of California. It deserves international recognition. But instead TimberWest has proposed an "information cutblock" in the Upper Castle Grove, meaning that they are seeking approval from the Ministry of Forests to log it. And, as stupid as it may seem, the BC Forest Service is about to approve this cutblock!
Until recently, the Lower Castle Grove was afforded protection as a Forest Ecosystem Network (FEN) which was excluded from the "timber harvesting landbase". With the recent directive by the Ministry of Forests that placed all FENs in this TFL into the timber harvesting landbase, the Lower Castle Grove is becoming a candidate for future logging. The "time limit" for the temporary protection of FENs runs out in 2003.
BC citizens must defend the Castle Grove and all the Upper Walbran from further logging and ensure that our provincial government provides this very special area with the park preservation it so badly needs and deserves. Given the Walbran's unique forest and ecotourism potential, protecting it makes economic as well as ecological sense!
Your help needed to save the Upper Walbran ancient forests from the loggers' chainsaws!
Ancient Forest Rally in Victoria, September 2000. Only mass citizen involvement and pressure will make the BC government to protect the Upper Walbran Valley. Photo credit: Jenna Fickes
Write
Do letters help? YES THEY DO! It is estimated that the letter you write represents roughly another 500 people who feel similar to you but did not find the time to write.
Tell Premier Gordon Campbell whether or not you think they should protect the Upper Walbran Valley through a extension of the existing boundaries of the Carmanah/ Walbran Provincial Park.
There is no way to win protection of the Upper Walbran with the sword. The only way is with a lot of pens!
Premier Gordon Campbell
Legislature Buildings,
Victoria BC, V8V 1X4
In addition, Weyerhaeuser is currently promoting itself as a new, green logging company in BC. In line with this image, it has committed to designating seven percent of their timber holdings into "Old-Growth Retention Zones" that they will not log.
What better candidate for oldgrowth retention zone than their TFL holdings in the Upper Walbran Valley?
Contact them at:
Weyerhaeuser Corporation
P.O. Box 9777
Federal Way, WA 98063 USA
Volunteer
WCWC needs volunteers to distribute it's educational literature (including this educational report), help staff our offices, call phone lists, stuff envelopes, and assist in campaign and field work Call us in Victoria at (250)-388-9292 or in Vancouver (604) 683-8220.
Get Connected
Our e-mail and phone lists connect hundreds o' people who we keep regularly informed about the latest news and events. This list is becoming key in our efforts to quickly mobilize large numbers of conservationists at crucial times. Contact us in Victoria wc2vic@island.net In Vancouver info@wildernesscommittee.org if you want to be added to our news/events contact list.
