These are images of DNR's "ecological forestry." This timber sale, located near Lake Cushman in Mason County is, according to DNR not a clear-cut but rather a "variable retention harvest." Judge for yourself.
Cleveland Peninsula - Sealaska Logging
These are images of the Cleveland Peninsula which was logged by the Sealaska Native Corporation in the 2010s. This clear-cut stretches for over 5000 acres, through valleys and over mountains. The State of Alaska has some of the worst environmental standards on earth and land privatization is now the biggest threat to the Tongass Rainforest. I captured these images while filming for Eden's Last Chance in summer 2019.
Edinburgh Mountain #7165 & #7163 Mid-Logging
In late 2022 the Teal Jones group again logging on upper Edinburgh mountain in cut blocks 7165 & 7163, these forests known as the Truck Road 11 cut blocks contain old-growth red cedar and on is in the watershed of Eden Creek, endangered birds have been documented in the area including the western screech owl.
These forest will be gone by the end of summer 2023
The 2000 Road #7275 & #7276
The 2000 Road lies just across the ridge from Fairy Creek on the southwestern flank of the old growth rainforest. The area was clear-cut in 2019 and then again in 2021 after dozens of people were arrested trying to stop the logging. The area is incredibly steep and landslides are common on the road.
Teal Jones has decommissioned the road for now however there are 3 cut blocks planned on the next slope over.
Tip Top Timber Sale (WA DNR)
The Tip Top Timber Sale in the Tahuya state forest west block (Mason county) consisted of several massive clear cuts above Rendsland Creek and the community of Tahuya. Despite substantial public opposition by community members around Rendsland Creek and Mason County, including a petition that received over 2000 signatures, the area was sold to Murphy’s logging company and clear-cut in 2021.
Chameleon Timber Sale (WA DNR)
The Chameleon Timber Sale in capital state forest (Thurston county) was a legacy forest sold to the Murphy’s logging company in 2020, there was massive opposition to this timber sale which destroyed one of capital state forests few remaining legacy forests. Activist set up a tree sit in the unit before logging began, however the protest came to an abrupt halt when police set up a 24 seven perimeter around the tree where the tree sitter was sitting.
The tree sitter came down after about a week and the forest was logged.
Looper Creek #783307
Cut block #783307 is a small patch of forest in one of the most intensively log sections of Looper Creek, a tributary to the Caycuse Valley. The cut block is at the headwaters of the creek and contains hundreds of monumental cedar trees. I explored this forest in the summer of 2022 and while I was there Wester Forest Product surveyors were in the cut block in preparation for logging.
In early November 2022, this cut block was logged.
Klanawa Valley #871327
Cut block #871327 is a mountaintop removal logging operation. Western Forest Products in partnership with the Huu-ay-aht Band Council received approval to destroy much of the last remaining old growth forests on this unnamed mountain in early 2022, by September much of the Logging had already taken place. We visited this forest in time to see a few of its gentle giants. Only a few weeks after we witnessed their majesty they were cut down.
Sassin #774221
These are images of cut block #774221 that was defended by Sassin Camp through 2021. Western Forest Products began clearcutting this Forest in early 2021 which prompted the creation of Sassin camp, even though Sassin camp is now gone western Forest products hasn’t tried to clear-cut the rest of this cut block.
As of October 2022 the forest is on borrowed time.
Loup Creek #LP11
These are images of the spectacular old growth forests that once grew in cut block #LP11 this forest is gone. It was logged in early 2022 by the Qala:yit Community Forest partnership between the Pacheedaht Band Council and the Cowichan Community Forest.
The Loup Creek Watershed, a tributary to the Gordon River Valley was extensively logged in the 70s and the timber industry is coming back for what’s left, there are very few sections of old growth left in the watershed but those that remain are among the most spectacular in the region. You can view a photo album of a currently at-risk forest in Loup Creek on the Ancient Forest Alliance’s website.
Edinburgh Mountain #7163 (TR 11 & Eden Creek)
These are images of cut block #7163 above Eden Creek on Edinburgh Mountain. I took these pictures in spring 2022 after hiking up the mountain and sleeping overnight in the snow. These images also show the extensive road network that Teal Jones has constructed, (out of sight of tourists) on Upper Edinburgh Mountain. This area is referred to as Truck Road 11 and is known to have a resident population of endangered Western Screech Owls.
As of October, 2022 Eden Creek cut block #7163 hasn’t been clear-cut.
Edinburgh Mountain #7165
Old growth cut block #7165 appears to be second growth at first glance but once you enter the forest, situated at the end of Truck Road 11 on Edinburgh Mountain you find some insane trees. I nicknamed one of the trees in this cut block “Eldest” she’s 10 feet thick and is insanely beautiful. Teal Jones spent 2022 constructing roads into this cut block.
As of October 2022, this cut block hasn’t been logged, however, the block has been approved by the provincial government.
