Old-Growth Day of Action was day to remember

Wednesday, October 04, 2023
A group of people holding up various signs in support of old-growth. End of image description.
Photo: Siobhan Williams

Hundreds took action for old-growth in more than 17 locations around BC

Last Thursday was a day to remember, with beautiful banners, energetic chants and stirring speeches outside MLA offices across the province!

The United for Old Growth Day of Action was a huge success, earning headlines and sending members of the government back to the legislature this week with a clear message: keep your promises to protect ancient forests.

A group of people holding up signs in support of old-growth trees. End of image description.
Victoria action. Photo: Em Hoffpauir 

We worked with our friends at Elders for Ancient Trees, Stand.earth, Sierra Club BC and Wildsight to announce and promote the Day of Action. But the real credit belongs to the countless local organizers who stepped up to host rallies from Nelson to Comox to Surrey. To everyone who planned logistics, made banners and art, contacted local media and showed up to these demonstrations: thank you!

This fall was chosen for this Day of Action because September 11 marked three years since the release of the Old Growth Strategic Review, a landmark report that classified old-growth logging unsustainable and called for a paradigm shift in BC forests. The report made fourteen recommendations, but the BC NDP government has dragged its heels, completing zero of those fourteen in the three year timeline.

Premier Eby and the NDP seem to be hoping the public will forget about the promises they’ve made on old-growth. Last Thursday was a reminder we haven’t! And together, we’ll continue to keep the pressure on.

A group of people dressed up as various at-risk animals that rely on old-growth. End of image description.
Sannich action. Photo: Mya Van Woudenberg

Whether or not you joined an action last week, you can still be part of the rising tide of voices that is holding the province to account. We know that persistent pressure from the public has an impact on decision makers, so please take a few minutes today to email, call or request a meeting with your MLA.

TAKE ACTION FOR OLD-GROWTH

A group of people posing in front of MLA Michele Babchuk's office. End of image description.
Campbell River action. Photo: Richard Hagensen 

We spent much of the summer out on the backroads, witnessing and documenting what’s happening on the land and bringing those stories back to you. We’ll spend the fall and winter working to demand the NDP step up and honour its commitments to protect irreplaceable forests in BC. 

An aerial photo of a clearcut in a forest. End of image description.
Logging in Lillooet River, Nlakaʼpamux territory. 

As always, we can only do this work because of our supporters – if you can help us continue organizing, sharing photos, videos and stories, meeting with decision makers to bring your voices forward and fighting for old-growth on every front we can, please do so today.

The movement to protect old-growth is strong, and we will win a future for these incredible ecosystems in BC.
 

Fancy meeting you here at the end of this article! Care to hang out together for a few more sentences?

The campaign you just read about is one of about 20 we’re actively working on at any given time. And the person who wrote this article is the same campaigner who’s asking you to take action, who’s calling on our legislators to make changes and who’s in the field to bring you photos, videos and stories documenting this issue.

Did you notice how we’re a bit distinct, that we’re not afraid to call out the industries or governments that threaten what’s wild? Unlike other groups, we’re almost 100 per cent* “people powered.” Individuals like you who care give what they can, when they can. No corporate or government funding restricts our strategies, our actions or our voice. That’s how we stay a lean, nimble and unequivocally relentless voice for wilderness, wildlife and the climate. That’s why we’d love it if you’d consider joining us by making a monthly donation to the Wilderness Committee today.

We’ve already established you like to read to the end, so here’s the fine print. It’s 96 per cent of our funding which comes from individuals like you and me. About four per cent of our total funding comes from a few grants from foundations. Every gift — no matter the size — has an impact and powers our work for nature.

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