FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2023
Forest Conservationists host book launch and signing of Big Trees: Inland Temperate Forests of British Columbia, by Terry Nelson.
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Peachland, BC – “Lieutenant Dan”, “Grand Daddy Subby” and “Ponderosa Pete” are just some of the monumental trees lovingly nicknamed by the locals who are passionate about their back country and treasures in BC’s wilderness. An interior watershed stewardship group, Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance (PWPA), is hosting Fernie author, Terry Nelson on February 11, 2023 at 2:00 pm, as part of the interior Launch of his book tour. This magnificent 450-page book includes images, interviews and identification of scores of monumental trees in the interior of our province. Most of us think of Cathedral Grove or Lonely Doug on the island when we think of monster trees, we are not aware we have many prime specimens in our own back yard.
Nelson has spent years combing our forests; both urban and rural interviewing locals, and community groups and has identified many previously unknown large trees. He says” in the government’s BC BigTree Registry, I found the biggest recorded trees to be mostly on the Pacific west coast. The magnificent coniferous trees had names like Big Lonely Doug, The Red Creek Fir, Norvan’s Castle Hemlock, and the Cheewhat Giant. I then began to wonder about the trees near where I live in Fernie: How did they rate?’’ Now his new book is testament to what makes the interior of this province special.
Three local Peachland trees made the big tree short list; organic farmers and environmentalists, Joe and Jess Klein, were happy to share the two examples on their homestead. A huge juniper and interior douglas fir are only two examples of why we need to catalogue, protect and preserve these monoliths. “We view these trees as our legacy, without their identification as being special they may be overlooked and removed whether for a better view or stripped from the forest for short term 2x4s, toilet paper or pellets. These mother trees need to be preserved for our grandchildren’s grandchildren. It takes hundreds, sometimes thousands of years for them to establish and they can be levelled within seconds. Terry’s book brings public awareness to their beauty and existence and more support for their permanent protection and stewardship” state the Kleins.
“This book is important, we need to catalogue our trees to help preserve them. All trees on BC crown land are slated for cutting unless in a designated park, whether registered in the government’s BigTree Registry or not. Officials in British Columbia’s Forests Ministry understood that a regulation introduced in 2020 to protect big trees on public lands would have little impact. They designed it that way. Internal records released in response to a freedom of information request confirm critics’ suspicions that the toothless Special Tree Protection Regulation was meant to appease the public while continuing to protect the interests of the logging industry.” claims Taryn Skalbania, director of the PWPA. This is another prime reason why Nelson’s work is so important.
Please join us at the Peachland Public Library, for 2:00-4:00 pm, Clements Crescent, Peachland BC to meet the author, hear his presentation, view the book, even purchase a singed copy for $45.00
Following the signing, PWPA will be offering complimentary beverages, home baked goodies and conversations.
PERHAPS YOU KNOW OF CURRENTLY HIDDEN BIG TREE, WHY NOT SHARE WITH THE AUTHOR, VOLUME II COULD BE IN THE WORKS?
For more information or interviews, contact:
Taryn Skalbania, Director, Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance
Phone: 250-767-6456
Email: peachlandwpa@gmail.com
Terry Nelson, Author
Phone: 250- 278-5245
Email: tfernienelson@icloud.com
Join Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance online:
Website peachlandwpa.org
Face Book https://www.facebook.com/PeachlandWatershedProtectionAlliance
Twitter Watershred Diaries https://twitter.com/TarynSkalbania
Instagram @peachlandwpa https://www.instagram.com/peachlandwpa/?hl=en
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Background information:
The vulnerability of our watershed — illustrated by our poor-quality drinking water and annual flooding — is our chief concern. Our mandate is the preservation and protection of all watersheds in our community, with a goal of providing a consistent quantity, quality and timing of flow of water.
The alliance is dedicated to ecosystem research and education, and encourages the adaption of site sensitive, ecologically based forestry practices in the public forests located in Peachland’s watersheds. Our activities include area walk and talks with water, land and tree experts as well as industry representatives; communicating with all levels of governments; info sessions; kids’ education days, and a speaker’s series.
Please join us as we work together to preserve and protect Peachland’s watershed.
Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance is a community group that launched in 2016. We are based in Peachland BC, traditional territory of the syilx. We support and advocate for the protection of water, wild plants, animals and their habitats in central BC.