Friends of Clayoquot Sound -- home

LATEST NEWS
Times Colonist, 20 Jan.: Scientists call for protection of Clayoquot Sound forests.
Interview with FOCS campaigner Bonny Glambeck on Clayoquot fish farms.

To stay informed, sign up for e-news by emailing info@focs.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Vancouver, BC — 19 January, 2012

New risk of logging in Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve
Old growth valleys must be protected, say 133 scientists and conservation groups

The B.C. government has received an application for cutblocks in the old growth rainforest of Flores Island in Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that was the site of the largest civil disobedience protest in Canada’s history in 1993.

More than 130 scientists across North America have signed a declaration calling for permanent protection of Clayoquot’s remaining intact old-growth rainforests. “Given the global importance of the region and the imminent threats posed to intact rainforests, we the undersigned urge First Nations, provincial and federal decision-makers, logging companies, and other stakeholders to cease logging in all remaining intact valleys of Clayoquot Sound,” says the declaration.

A new Sierra Club BC map, also released today, shows that only 21 of Vancouver Island’s 282 major rainforest watersheds are unlogged. Of the seven unlogged Vancouver Island watersheds that lack permanent protection, five are in Clayoquot Sound, including on Flores Island.

Full media release here. Scientists' Declaration viewable here (PDF, 225Kb). Full Vancouver Island map viewable here (JPG, 3Mb)

Wild Salmon People gathered Dec. 13

Tofino residents stood together with FOCS outside the local DFO office Dec. 13 — part of the BC-wide Action Week for Wild Salmon sparked by the Cohen Inquiry reopening for three days of hearings on the impacts of ISA virus in BC.

It was a peaceful, colorful, fun event that expressed our love for the wild salmon of Clayoquot Sound.

The Westerly News reported on the rally. Here's a short interview with FOCS campaigner Bonny Glambeck and young First Nations musician Kalilah Rampanenw courtesy Long Beach Radio. And a short clip of Tsimka Martin speaking about fish farms in Clayoquot on the FOCS Ustream channel.

Clayoquot Café, Nov. 29

Have you heard about the deadly ISA virus, which has been found in BC’s wild salmon? This Clayoquot Cafe was an engaging community evening featuring Wild Fish Conservancy research biologist Todd Sandell.

It gave updates on the Clayoquot Sound ISA sampling project, and the new Plover Point salmon feedlot application. Discussion to follow. For info call FOCS at 250-725-4218.

Fall/winter newsletter

Now available in many locations around Tofino, Vancouver Island, Vancouver and Victoria.

Features: Mining boom sparks controversy ... DFO's smoking gun ... Blowing BC's carbon bank ... Flores Island flashpoint ... New salmon farm proposed for Clayoquot ... Imperial Metals feeling the heat? ... and more!

Click here to download the PDF (1.2Mb)

31 Aug. 2011

New fish farm proposed for Clayoquot Sound — you can help stop it

Norwegian-owned corporation Mainstream is applying for a new open net-cage salmon farm — a 55-hectare feedlot site near Plover Point on the east side of the Meares Island Tribal Park.

Please send an email to Premier Clark registering your opposition to any more open net-cage farms in B.C., specifically the Plover Point application. Your letter will make a difference!

Click here to take action
via Living Oceans Society website

Postcards campaign

FOCS has printed two Secrets of Clayoquot Sound postcards, available for free at our office. They are addressed:

to the Premier of BC, asking for legal protection for Clayoquot's rainforest.
to the federal Minister of the Environment, asking that the Canadian government not allow any mines in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

To send an email version, click on each postcard below.

No Mine on Catface Mountain — the music video

After its world premiere in May in Tofino, Friends of Clayoquot Sound presents this music video as a celebration of Clayoquot Sound and the importance of preserving it.

Our thanks and kudos to Vanessa LeBourdais, who wrote and sang the song ... to Cameron Dennison and Nicole Rigler who shot the film (Nicole also edited it) ... and to the dozens of volunteers who organized and performed. As the song says: Not while I'm around!

June 2011

Help prevent logging on Flores Island. Your letters needed!

Flores Island valley The BC government recently issued a road-building permit for Flores Island — a road that would bring blasting and tree falling to Flores’s intact ancient rainforest.

Please help us convince the BC government to rescind the road permit and not issue any further road, cut or other logging-related permits for Flores Island, and to support conservation solutions currently being pursued by environmental organizations and local First Nations.

Click here to take action

12 May, 2011

Rally at Imperial Metals AGM

FOCS, Wilderness Committee and community members and activists from the Tahltan, Sto:lo, Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht First Nations rallied outside Imperial Metals' Annual General Meeting.

Thanks to Warren Rudd for shooting and editing. More info, plus Five reasons to stop the potential Catface mine, at this link. More Clayoquot Sound videos at the FOCS YouTube channel.

PO Box 489, 331 Neill St., Tofino BC V0R 2Z0
250-725-4218 info@focs.ca

New risk of logging in Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve Old growth valleys must be protected, say 133 scientists and conservation groups