Call for supporters to defend the Walbran Valley! Join us!

Pacific Coast people have a long history of standing up for the places we love. In recent decades, thousands of Vancouver Islanders have come together to protect incredible old-growth forests from clearcut logging.

It wasn't easy then, and it won't be easy now. The odds are against us. But our side is recruiting an army of peaceful protectors who are committed to strategic action to win back the Walbran.

Teal Jones corporation is clear-cutting the giant old-growth forests of the Walbran Valley, two hours west of Victoria near Port Renfrew BC.  They are laying waste to a thousand-year-old ecosystem for short-term profit without the consent of the Pacheedaht First Nation, the Qwa-ba-diwa people, or anyone else outside of the BC government. 

Women for the Walbran and Forest Action Network are hosting Walbran Action Training this spring to share skills and develop strategies for protecting the Walbran Valley. We are gearing up to assist the land defenders with workshops on non-violent civil disobedience, tree climbing safety, fundraising, legal rights, and more. 

Tree-climbing is an extremely effective strategy to occupy the forest canopy, document rare species and get a birds-eye view of the logging, while staying well away from the loggers themselves. Our trainers can show almost anyone how to climb a 100-ft tree safely and easily using ropes and a harness.  

Non-violent direct action training is crucial for anyone who might come into contact with police, loggers, or protestors. This in-depth workshop uses role-playing to practice techniques for de-escalating conflict.

Legal rights and potential consequences for protesting are huge concerns for everyone involved with the Walbran Valley. We share what we have learned from decades of experience with over a dozen campaigns.

Skills and preparation are the keys to success. We can't do it alone. That's why we're asking everyone who loves the Walbran Valley to pitch in for the Spring Training equipment drive. Here's the wish list: 

• A $20 donation equals twenty feet of static climbing rope (goal: 200 ft)
• $50 buys us a climbing harness
• $75 is a set of carabiners
• $150 gets one person all the gear they need - harness, biners, rope, and a hardhat
• $300 is enough to set up a tree-sit platform
• $400 and we can get a bunch of tarps and cord and netting for the camp
• $500 covers food and transportation for the whole crew
• 100% of the funds go to the Walbran Action Training.

Take action today. Please become a supporter for our next  training camp.

If you have climbing gear to contribute, please get in touch!

Forest Action Network is run by volunteers. We don't receive funding from corporations or Big Green groups. We don't have fancy offices or paid staff. But we have community support and the courage to win, and ten years of victories to prove it.

Thank you for being part of this movement to protect forest ecosystems and indigenous heritage!

Note: This training promotes safety, education, research, legal rights, and indigenous solidarity. Anyone who interferes with Teal Jones or others is guided by his or her own conscience, not by direction from Forest Action Network, its trainers or volunteers. We are not responsible for what individuals choose to do with the training we provide. :)