Old Growth Revylution Art Auction

As you may know, Old Growth logging is still happening in BC even though only 2.7% of productive old growth forests capable of growing very large trees remain. This is catastrophic and we need to act NOW and let the government know we will not let this happen. A group of dedicated people have taken this cause to heart and are actively working to protect our beautiful forests, in the Revelstoke area our forests are part of the last remnants of the globally unique Inland Temperate Rainforest (ITR). They have formed a peaceful blockade at the Big Mouth FSR (120km north of Revelstoke) and have successfully paused the logging activity in that area. They need our support.

The blockade calls on the BC government to protect the biodiversity in our old growth forests and to immediately support forestry workers to a more sustainable forestry economy. First Nations must be included in these goals. For more information, the goals of the Forest Defenders are the same as the government's own 14 Recommendations from their Strategic Review of How BC Manages Old Forests Within Ancient Ecosystems. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/stewardship/old-growth-forests/strategic-review-20200430.pdf

100% of the money raised during this auction will go to towards supporting the Old Growth Forest land defenders and help them cover the expenses they will encounter (food, gas, communications, etc.) This art auction also has for mission to spread awareness about the consequences of unsustainable logging practices. It's a call to action, a way to connect everyone together for the cause.

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#worthmorestanding

After decades of letter writing, meetings, and studies, species decline of flora and fauna in our province continues at an alarming rate. Activists, scientists, regular citizens, and celebrities realize that time has run out and more direct action is needed to save what is left of our ancient forests.

The Inland Temperate Rainforest (ITR) covers 40 million acres & stretches over 1100 km from Idaho to Prince George, encompassing a globally unique landscape. This ecosystem is the last inland temperate rainforest left on Earth.

Revelstoke is in the heart of this diverse ecosystem. These forests contain species new to science & harbour an amazing diversity of rare plants, animals & fungi.

At a provincial scale, only 3% of the productive low elevation old growth that grows large trees, is all that remains. Most of this is slated to be logged.

Cedar-Hemlock rainforests are incredibly important for carbon storage and sequestration. Much of that carbon is stored in living trees, downed trees, and soils which are disturbed or removed once logged. Landscapes dominated by intact old forests often store several times as much carbon as intensively logged 2nd growth. The ITR is a carbon sanctuary in the age of changing climate. It deserves protection simply on that basis. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whatonearth/why-old-growth-forests-are-an-ally-in-fighting-climate-change-1.6088794

We are not anti-logging. We realize logging companies are working within the law; however, the government must do their job and support a just transition away from old growth logging now- while there is still some old growth left. It is especially critical that the last stands of old growth are left untouched. These trees truly are worth more standing. Once they are gone, they are gone, never to be created again, even in our great-grandchildren’s lifetimes.

It is our deepest wish that this issue does not polarize our community. We do not want to see families that depend on logging angry with people who want old growth protected. Our combined energy can be directed towards a healthier future.

We understand the frustration our actions cause. Consider this: we have no ulterior motive, nor profit to be made from a blockade. We are thinking of the future of this planet for everyone. Ancient forests are the lungs of the planet. In this area, those lungs are the last ITR in the world. Logging families have the right to ask for old growth forest protection too, we can change the future together.
We are looking to work in collaboration. We truly care about all the life on the planet, and that includes human beings. Solidarity amongst all members of society is critical and polarization does not need to occur. Government must work with all groups to support industry by following the lead of other countries as they transition to a just and sustainable future.

Demands:
Blockades will rotate through our region, starting on the Big Mouth Forest Service Road, until the demands are met:

1. Implementation of the BC Government’s own Old Growth Strategic Review recommendations: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/stewardship/old-growth-forests/strategic-review-20200430.pdf

2. Immediately abandon all logging across the 1.3 million hectares of old growth forests that meet the criteria laid out by the old growth strategic review. Not in a few months but NOW.

3. Instruct the Ministry of Forests/ BCTS to stop issuing new logging or road building approvals in any old growth forests.

4. Work to create a rapid & just transition away from all old growth logging, including providing economic alternatives to Indigenous Nations & rural communities that are economically dependent on old growth logging.

5. Work to return control of the land to the Indigenous Nations and communities that live on, and care for those lands.

6. Help bring about a sustainable forestry system based on local control of the land and managing for ecosystem services. Including eventual bans on highly mechanized logging, a ban on raw log exports, a ban on industrial old growth logging, and a ban on clear cutting (this would help to create more jobs with less of an environmental impact.) You can reference the model of Wildwood Ecoforest.
Contact: oldgrowthrevylution@gmail.com