Vancouver Island, BC: 2nd Fairy Creek Blockade Established

Report on recent forest defense blockade on logging roads into the headwaters of the Fairy Creek watershed. Originally published on BC Blackout. 

August 17, 2020 — Grassroots forest defenders from across Vancouver Island have successfully prevented Teal Jones Group from blasting logging roads into the unlogged headwaters of the Fairy Creek watershed for the past week.

On Monday August 10th, a blockade was established where the new roads were about to crest a ridge into the west side of the watershed.The blockaders successfully turned away the road builders early that morning. Teal Jones removed their road building equipment on Tuesday August 11th, and the blockade has remained in place continuously since then.

This morning, a second blockade has been established just to the east of the Fairy Creek watershed, preventing Teal Jones from building roads which have been approved for construction into that side of the unlogged valley, located on unceded Pacheedaht Territory.

This new blockade also obstructs old growth logging already in progress east of Fairy Creek. This stretch of ancient forest is contiguous with the intact old growth forest within the Fairy Creek watershed, but would be severed if the logging is allowed to continue.

A massive, ancient cedar recently felled by Teal Jones in one of the old growth cut blocks now being blockaded.

“If anyone has ever felt called in their heart to take a stand for old growth forests, we invite them to join us here in Premier John Horgan’s own electoral riding: at our first blockade, or at this new, more easily accessible second blockade,” stated one of the forest defenders, who are demanding an end to old growth logging on so-called Vancouver Island.

For directions, go here.