BC Pathways

Organization Mandate
We are a very small (but dedicated)group of environmentalists operating in the South Vancouver Island region. Our strategies may be summed up as follows:

-- Determine the old-growth areas that
are most in danger of being logged.

-- Lay in flagging tape, clip brush and
saw deadfalls, thereby opening up
good foot access to each site.

-- Encourage others, biologists,
naturalists, painters, photographers,
students, concerned citizens, the press,
and other activists to visit these "hot
sites."

-- Apply pressure on the timber
companies and to the British Columbia
Ministry of Forests to have the logging
reduced or removed entirely from each
sensitive old growth forest area.

We are engaged in other campaigns and strategies (none are violent or destructive to property - but they are often very direct). We are well connected to our sister organizations in this region often working in concert with them towards mutually agreed upon goals.
In particular, we at BC Pathways are very concerned about the amount and type of logging that's planned for the areas near the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park.

Locations
We originate from Victoria but work in the area of the Walbran watershed.

Current Activities and Projects
Having finished the Botley Lake Trail, we are planning on assisting with the rebuilding of the bridge access to the park.
We are continuing our research on flora and fauna in the local - encouraging young nature artists to practice their skills on site.
The Walbran Report is being updated.
Also, we are preparing a campaign, strongly encouraging TimberWest (and MoF) to change their planned logging in the Walbran Periphery Special Management Zone (SMZ 21).

Completed Activities and Projects
- co-sponsored Merve Wilkinsons' nomination for the Order of BC award.
- participated in the SAVE Coalition's day of celibration at Uvic.
- participated (ongoing) in the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park Advisory Committee.
- secured a letter of intention from Weyerhaeuser "locking down" the boundary of the park where it was originally meant to be (the current legal description is in error).
- done multiple presentations for service clubs and high schools.
- transported professional photographers to key sites so that the public will have a clear idea of what may be lost through logging this areas.
- provided critical analysis of the flaws in the logging plans for TFL 44 and TFL 46.
- Completed the Botley Lake Trail

Fundraising Initiatives
We all are volunteers - we rarely seek funding not wishing to sacrifice any of our limited available time and energy towards solicting donations - in short, we operate on a shoe string which we provide ourselves.

Partners
For our activities within the park:
- Ministry of the Environment, Lands and Parks
- Carmanah Forestry Society
For our activities within the SMZ:
- Forest Action Network
- Carmanah Forestry Society
- Women in the Woods

Publications
We issue the "Walbran Express" newsletter, via email, on an "as needed" basis.

Volunteers Required
Required skills: We look for people who enjoy a weekend in the bush - forest lovers who are willing to work for its preservation.

Conservation Connection

2774 Bowker Ave.
Victoria, BC V8R 2G1

Phone: 250-361-1876
Email: clerk@telus.net

Website: geocities.com/bc_pathways/intro.html

Main Contact
Dan Rubin
Secretary
Phone: 250-361-1876
Email: clerk@telus.net

Secondary Contact
Don Keller
Phone: 250-595-4965
Email: coordinate@telus.net