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EDITORIAL: The unfulfilled promise of Avatar Grove

Port Renfrew’s essential attraction remains closed, and with it, the lifeblood of its ecotourism-dependent economy."
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The closure of Avatar Grove since 2022 has left a void in Port Renfrew’s ecotourism landscape, impacting the town’s economy and frustrating nature enthusiasts. (TJ Watt photo)

Avatar Grove, renowned for its ancient trees and natural beauty, has been closed since 2022, leaving a gaping hole in the hearts of nature lovers and the local economy.

Recreation Sites and Trails BC closed the grove due to unresolved safety and sustainability concerns, despite a sustainable forest management plan completed in 2020. The prolonged closure has had a devastating impact on Port Renfrew, often called the “Tall Trees Capital of Canada.”

Avatar Grove, with its towering red cedar and giant Douglas-fir trees, is a key draw for tourists. Thousands of visitors come each year, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy. The grove's closure is a major blow to the community.

The Ancient Forest Alliance, which played a pivotal role in protecting Avatar Grove and enhancing its trails until 2017, has voiced its concerns.

"Avatar Grove is one of the most famous, impressive, and beloved old-growth forests on Vancouver Island," said TJ Watt, a campaigner with the Alliance.

"If the B.C. government is truly committed to a paradigm shift in its approach to old-growth forests, they should invest the necessary funding to get the trail project at Avatar Grove underway so visitors can once again return and the local tourism economy of Port Renfrew can flourish."

Local officials, including Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Al Wickheim, echo those concerns. They say reopening Avatar Grove would provide a much-needed economic boost to the struggling community. The Ministry of Environment acknowledges the grove's ecological importance and is working on infrastructure upgrades, but progress is slow.

The province must prioritize reopening Avatar Grove. The delay deprives visitors of an awe-inspiring experience and hurts Port Renfrew’s economy. It’s time to restore access to this iconic site for future generations and revitalize the community

 

 

 

 

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About the Author: Sooke News Mirror Staff

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