February 25, 2016

The weather is getting better each day, and you want to get out into the woods. You want to immerse yourself in the temperate rainforests that make BC’s coast so legendary.

You also recognize that intact old-growth forests have been largely removed on Vancouver Island, and you’re concerned the about the environmental, economic and cultural impacts of deforestation.

You want to help.

At the Wilderness Committee, we believe that if citizens can access intact rainforests and other rare and critical ecosystems they will be more likely to advocate and take action for their protection.

We’ve used trail building as a key tactic in successful campaigns for decades, and we’re gearing up for another active spring and summer.

These trips are challenging but rewarding experiences, and we guarantee you'll connect with the rainforest in a big way.

Join us!

Trail building in the Central Walbran Valley

This spring, we’ll lead three trips into the threatened Walbran Valley – southern Vancouver Island’s most spectacular ancient forest.

We’ll work alongside members of the Friends of Carmanah/Walbran, who have revived old trails and established new ones in the Central Walbran Valley. This incredible forest is targeted by logging company Teal Jones, who are focused on cutting the last few stands of old-growth.

More and more people are visiting the Walbran with each passing week, and our priority is to work with our allies to ensure easy and safe access to this endangered rainforest.

TRIP DATES:

• Friday, March 18th – Sunday, March 20th
• Friday, April 8th – Sunday, April 10th
• Friday, May 27th – Sunday, May 29th

These trips will be led by Wilderness Committee staff, with the trail work directed by the Friends of Carmanah/Walbran. Volunteer groups of 12 will leave Victoria early on Friday morning, returning Sunday evening. Volunteers are responsible for their own food and camping equipment (trail building supplies will be provided). Some camping/hiking experience is preferred, and a moderate to high level of physical fitness is required. Campsites are near to vehicles – so these trips will essentially be car camping.

We’ll need one to three other drivers with vehicles that can handle rough logging roads in order to make these trips happen.

Trail Building in Clayoquot Sound
Wah-nuh-jus – Hilth-oo-is Tribal Park (Meares Island)

2016 is going to be a busy year for our popular Clayoquot Sound trail building program. We’ll make three trips to Wah-nuh-jus – Hilth-oo-iis Tribal Park in Tla-o-qui-aht Territory in the heart of Clayoquot Sound for an immersive four-day rainforest experience.

Volunteers will work alongside Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks staff to repair, upgrade and expand the famous Big Tree Trail near Tofino. In the last few years we’ve made a lot of progress, and this summer our aim is to complete the boardwalk and loop trail.

The Big Tree Trail is a lynchpin of Tofino’s booming tourism industry, and it is important to the Tla-o-qui-aht Nations’ participation in that tourism industry. Working alongside Indigenous people on a mutually beneficial project in one of the most renowned rainforests on Earth is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

You don’t want to miss it!

TENTATIVE TRIP DATES:

• Friday, May 6th – Monday, May 9th
• Friday, June 10th – Monday, June 13th
• Friday, July 15th – Monday, July 18th

These trips will be led by Wilderness Committee staff, with work directed by Tribal Parks staff from the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation. Volunteer groups of 12 will leave Victoria early on Friday morning, returning Monday evening. Volunteers are responsible for their own food and camping equipment (trail building supplies provided). We’ll be camping in hand-made campsites about an hour’s hike from the trailhead, with no services at all. Volunteers will need a moderate to high level of physical fitness, and hiking and backcountry camping experience is preferred, but not required.

We’ll need one to three other drivers with vehicles able to travel to Tofino (paved road the whole way) to make these trips happen.

Sign up for trail building!

Are you in?

Please contact Emily, who coordinates volunteers for Wilderness Committee’s trail work program on Vancouver Island. You can reach her at emily@wildernesscommittee.org

She’ll answer any questions you might have, set you up with a list of required gear, send you the health form and waiver, and get you registered for a trip. Be sure to clarify which trip(s) you’re interested in, and let us know whether you have a vehicle and where you’ll be joining us from.

Can’t wait to hear from you!!