James Filippelli, YPP Leader & MLA Candidate in Vancouver

Thankful to spend a relaxing weekend walking alongside some of the oldest living creatures in BC. We visited the Carmanah Valley, the Cheewat giant, and the Walbran Valley - two beautiful protected old growth areas and one still threatened by logging. I’m hopeful that the new provincial government will add the small unprotected area of the upper Walbran into Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park. It isn’t just the trees that need protecting here, it is also those visiting them. ... On our way to visit the Castle Grove in the upper Walbran, we heard gunshots off in the distance. Since it is hunting season, and the area is outside the park, we figured there were some hunters in the area and continued. As we got closer, the gunshots got more rapid, obviously not hunters, but maybe people shooting targets. About 400m from the grove we ran into a few people from the Friends of Carmanah Walbran group that were running out of the trail. They said the gunshots were right by where they were working on trail maintenance, and that despite them yelling to the shooters that they were there, the shots continued and seemed to get closer. We ran out of the woods with them and as soon as we were across the river, the gunshots stopped. They were convinced the shots were to scare them out of the area. I like to imagine the best in people, so I am hoping it was just target practice close by, but it was suspicious that the shots stopped completely as soon as we left. Either way, taking a bullet while visiting some of BC’s oldest trees, is not how I wanted to spend my Thanksgiving weekend. If this area is added to the provincial park, not only would the trees be safe and the ecosystems protected, but visitors could come and see them without risking getting shot during hunting season. I am thankful for all the work that has been done to get these areas the protection they deserve and is still being done to try and protect the few remaining pockets of valley bottom old growth, where people can witness these wonderful giants, in BC. While the Carmanah side of the park has a larger section of old growth, this side is much more accessible for people coming from Nanaimo and Victoria. It would be a fine addition to BC’s protected areas. As for the provincial park on the Carmanah Side, it would be great to see some car camping spots added, but I will save that for another post. For more info on the fight to save this area, check out the Friends of Carmanah Walbran. https://friendsofcarmanahwalbran.com//walbran-the-quick-f/

Walbran Valley, Carmanah Valley and the Cheewat Giant

Retweeted Your Political Party (@YPPOFBC): Is new electoral finance reform legislation designed to improve or stifle #democracy in BC? #BCpoli #YourBC https://t.co/JeeYRaCNz3

Huge crowds at the #walkforreconciliation hopeful to see so many people ready for a new way forward. https://t.co/XhRpLdyyyF

Retweeted Alex Goatcher (@AlexGoatcher): If there isn't a #BCWildfire fighters' appreciation day in BC, we should make one. #bcpoli https://t.co/VgloYWYtmF

Retweeted Your Political Party (@YPPOFBC): Final piece is done! Thanks all at #FunCityFestival who added ideas for their ideal BC. YPP will be working to build it! #YourBC #BCpoli https://t.co/09ZUqRGcyu

Retweeted Your Political Party (@YPPOFBC): Here comes the sun! Beautiful day at #FuncityFestival in #NorthVan! Come check out the giant slip+slide down Lonsdale #YourBC #bcpoli https://t.co/aH1ARpYSrL

Retweeted Your Political Party (@YPPOFBC): Don't let the clouds scare you away! All set for another great day at #FuncityFestival in #NorthVan. Come share ideas for #YourBC #bcpoli https://t.co/Z5Yu7p4qud

Getting some great input down at #FuncityFestival in #NorthVan! What do you want #YourBC to look like? #BCpoli #YourFuture https://t.co/B9qyUk4Yl9

Come on down to #FuncityFestival in #NorthVan! We're all set up at the #YourBC booth just a few blocks from the #seabus. Check out all the vendors and #slidethecity at the 1,000 ft long slip and slide! @cityofnorthvancouver #BCpoli

Happy BC Day! Having a great time handing out freezies by Science world! #YourBC #freezies #BCpoli https://t.co/puKekBPkrG

Retweeted CPAWS BC (@CPAWSbc): Urgent action needed to protect BC's overburdened parks https://t.co/I497NSs9q1 via @PiqueNews #StandUpForParks #packitout #bcpoli