Allocation of funds:
35% - Equipment - major items include long box truck & snowmobile
20% - Fuel - for snow blowers, generator & supply runs, propane for camper
20% - Food - groceries are provided for those maintaining the camp
15% - Support for BIPOC land defenders
10% - Firewood - while a formidable pile was collected in the fall more will likely be needed to get through the long winter
This is Old Growth Revylution’s (OGR) 2nd Fundrazr campaign. OGR's first campaign was launched Nov. 7th thanks to the generous support of land defender allies from afar. We ended our first fundraising campaign $8,305 short of our initial goal in order to edit our campaign to reflect changes in our commitments to how the funds will be spent.
We thank all contributors for the $11,795 donated through our previous campaign! With these funds, we have been able to sustain our winter blockade well into January and secure winter equipment including a second truck camper to accommodate blockade visitors, and a snow blower. With a few costly items crossed off of our equipment list, a larger percentage of this campaign’s funds will be slated for sustaining the individuals committed to maintaining the camp over winter. For permanent occupants, associated grocery and fuel expenses are reimbursed. We have also increased the percentage of funds which will be set aside to defray expenses incurred by BIPOC land defenders who visit the Bigmouth blockade.
The Bigmouth blockade was launched July 6th, 2021 and is located at 0.8 km up the Bigmouth FSR, 120 km north of Revelstoke on the traditional and unceded territory of the Sinixt, Secwépemc, Syilx and Ktunaxa nations.
The location was chosen to block access into the pristine Argonaut Valley, as well as block K7FE just west of the foot of the Argonaut Valley. This area consists of virgin old growth forest that provides critical habitat for the viable Columbia North southern mountain caribou herd. Thanks to public pressure, 11 of the 14 proposed cutblocks were deferred by BCTS prior to the blockade. As a result of the blockade, road construction up to km 5 into Argonaut Valley was immediately halted. The lack of a completed road stymied plans to put the remaining three blocks in the Argonaut up for bid in the fall. In early december, BCTS announced deferrals to protect the remaining three blocks.
Currently three and a half blocks of primary old growth forest, including K7FE, remain slated for logging near the confluence of the Argonaut Valley. The Bigmouth blockade remains to protect these swaths of forest.
Old Growth Revylution's blockade was largely inspired by the actions of Ada’itsx (Fairy Creek) land defenders. The brave activists taking a stand for Vancouver Island old growth have spurred communities across BC to look at what’s left of their surrounding old growth forests and recognize the value of these ancient ecosystems. They are worth more standing!
