Hi my name is Mike Sawyer, and I'm fundraising for Timberwolf Wilderness Society and Defenders of the Eastern Slopes, both Alberta-based grassroots non-profit environmental groups, that have launched a lawsuit against the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (“DFO”) with respect to their granting West Fraser, a large multinational logging company, permission under the Species At Risk Act to destroy critical Bull Trout habitat in the Upper Highwood River and Loomis Creek Watersheds. But they need our help!

West Fraser is proposing to clear-cut ~ 1,100 ha. (~2,720 acres) of forest in these ecological sensitive headwaters that provide critical spawning and rearing habitat for the threatened Bull Trout and other fish species and clean cold water for downstream users (including fish). In October 2025, DFO approved an application that will allow West Fraser to destroy this critical habitat. We believe that approval was contrary to the provisions of the Species At Risk Act; we believe that citizens must hold the Government accountable when they ignore the rule of law. As a result, Timberwolf and the Defenders of the eastern Slopes have retained an experienced environmental lawyer, Gavin Fitch, KC, of the law firm McLennan Ross, who haqs filed an application for judicial review of that decision in the Federal Court of Canada in December 2025.

This lawsuit is very important, not only to protect critical habitat of the Bull Trout in the Upper Highwood River and Loomis Creek, but because DFO is issuing numerous permits along Alberta's eastern Slopes that allow the destruction of the critical habitats of Bull Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Athabasca Rainbow Trout, all theoretically protected under Canada's Species At Risk Act. A win in the Upper Highwood/Loomis Creek will have wide-reaching implications for protecting the habitats of these and other endangered fish species, both in Alberta and across Canada.

But legal action against the Government is expensive; we need to raise ~ $60,000 to cover anticipated legal fees. We need the help of everyone who values trout and trout habitat along Alberta’s Eastern Slopes. And so, we are asking for your help in this important legal challenge. Every little contribution will help us to reach our fund-raising goal. Can we count on your support to help us protect this critical Bull Trout habitat?

Thank you for your help and contribution!

NOTE: When you donate, GoFundMe may ask for an additional donation from you to fund the operation of this fund-raising platform. Be aware that donation is voluntary.