Please help Old Growth Revylution blockade winterize!! The area sees an annual average snowfall of 620 cm making it one of the snowiest places in BC. The temperatures are dropping below freezing and camp will be covered in snow imminently. A core group of land defenders remain determined to hold the line and protect this pristine valley of old growth forest and critical caribou habitat, but doing so will require more than a strong resolve. Keeping the camp warm and clear of snow will be a monumental effort.
USE OF FUNDS (percentages are rough estimates):
1. 80% - Equipment - major items include a plow, snow mobile and generator. Other items needed are deep cycle batteries, snow shovels and oil lanterns.
2. 10% - Frontline Necessities & Personal Gear - cold weather sleeping bags, XC skis, tools, misc supplies
3. 10% - Firewood - depending on how much is collected near camp, firewood may need to be purchased and brought up from town
BACKGROUND:
The Revylution blockade was launched July 6th, 2021 and is located at 2.5 km on the Big Mouth FSR 120 km north of Revelstoke on the traditional and unceded territory of the Sinixt, Secwepemc, Syilx and Ktunaxa nations. The location was chosen to block access into the pristine Argonaut valley, as well as block K7FE just west of Argonaut valley, all 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 the 3 remaining undeferred blocks at the entrance to the Argonaut Valley was immediately halted. Though it will be impossible to resume road construction once the snow pack fills in, logging of block K7FE by Downie Timber is a very real possibility, not to mention other logging which might occur in the rest of the vast Bigmouth valley. The blockade has successfully halted all logging the in the Bigmouth valley and Louis Lee branch of this valley.
The Old Growth Revylution 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!
