Help save the Upper Florentine – Forestry Tasmania is smashing into Pristine Wilderness RIGHT NOW!!!!
At the heart of Tasmania’s Southern Forests, wild rivers flow through valleys containing forests which evolved from the ancient continent of Gondwanaland. In the valleys of the Styx, UpperFlorentine, Middle Huon, Weld, and Upper Derwent flourish some of the world’s oldest and mostspectacular ecosystems. Magnificent oldgrowth Eucalypt forests, the world’s tallest hardwoodtrees, and ancient Tolkienesque rainforest lap against those parts of the south west landscape that have received protection. Along the eastern boundary of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, encircled by incredibly beautiful mountains and alpine regions that are protected,these large areas of pristine forest are intentionally left unreserved. These forests have been given a death sentence, at the hands of the woodchippers. These areas have been identified by experts including government bodies as being of World Heritage in their own right and as being significant for maintaining the integrity of the existing protected areas.
WHERE: Kate Lundy’s office (Ground floor, Law Society Building, 11 London Circuit, Civic), and then onwards to other Politicians, to deliver letters calling for a moratorium on logging in these World Heritage recommended areas of Tasmania’s Old Growth Forests.
WHEN: Thursday the 29th of January, 12. 30 onwards
Areas of World Heritage value adjacent to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area e.g. the Styx, Upper Derwent, Weld, Middle Huon and Upper Florentine. Oldgrowth forest communities including Eucalyptus regnans, the world’s tallest flowering plant and hardwood tree with individuals growing to over 90 metres. Habitat including for endangered animals and plants, such as the Wedge-tailed Eagle which is facing a 90% chance of extinction in Tasmania.1
The logging of old-growth forests destroys and removes habitat needed for the survival of species that depend on them. The destruction of habitat through activities like logging has been identified as the main past (and present) cause of the endangerment and extinction of species in all vegetated countries on Earth. This has led to serious declines in both the abundance and distribution of many plant and animal species. Present reserve systems have been extensively criticised by the scientific community for failing to protect biodiversity and individual species.
PROTEST FOR THE WILDERNESS AND ACTIVISTS OF THE UPPER FLORENTINE IN TASMANIA
This long blockaded, and much loved Forest, is part of a beautiful and now rare, discreet Wilderness valley, recommended for inclusion in the World Heritage register. The blockade protecting the valley has been pulled down by police in preparation for the logging road now begun. Every day sees dedicated Activists doing their dangerous jobs, and being arrested.
Please come along to this action in the Nation’s Capital. The media and the politicians in Canberra should know that the Forests haven’t been forgotton, that this is an important issue, that we too care what happens in that Wilderness in Tasmania – for every precious Forest we have left!
ALSO: Gorman House Letter writing and information stall…this Saturday morning, 24th Jan. For more information, please call Keri, 6257 7093
Spread the Word!