Miranda Gibson, the David in the fight to save Tasmania’s native forests from Goliath, Forestry Tasmania and timber company Ta Ann Tasmania, marked 150 days living 60-metres up an old growth tree on the weekend in a quest to end the destruction of the state’s natural
heritage.

Ms Gibson’s commitment to Tasmania’s forests began about five months ago when she decided to climb to the top of ‘Observer Tree’ as a protest against the ongoing logging of the high conservation value forests.

“This tree I’m sitting in now lies in an area earmarked as part of Tasmania’s future forest reserves, and has been recognised by independent experts for its World Heritage value. Yet official documents show this area of forest faces imminent logging, primarily to supply Ta Ann.

“The 150 day milestone symbolises my determination to save not just the precious forest containing this tree from imminent logging, but other high conservation value forests in Tasmania,” Ms Gibson said today.

To mark the milestone, Miranda is encouraging people to take part in a cyber action targeting Ta Ann Tasmania’s ongoing role in the destruction of forests identified as being of high
conservation value:
https://taann.good.do/cyberaction/stop-walking-on-tasmania-s-ancient-forests/

The cyber action focuses on Ta Ann’s continued use of trees from Tasmania’s high conservation value southern forests supplied to it by Forestry Tasmania through its 20-year agreement with the Tasmanian Government.

Follow Miranda's daily blog: www.observertree.org

 1st May 2012

Yesterday amputee adventurer Warren Macdonald climbed 60 meters into the tree tops to visit tree sitter Miranda Gibson in The Observer Tree. Still Wild Still Threatened are releasing footage today of the incredible visit.

Warren Macdonald will be giving a talk tonight in Hobart to share his incredible story and his personal insights and reflections.

The inspirational Warren Macdonald lost both his legs after being stuck under a bolder for two days during a hike on Hinchinbrook Island in 1997. Undeterred, Warren went on to climb mountains around the world, including Tasmania's Cradle Mountain & Federation Peak, Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa and El Capitan; the tallest cliff face in North America.

Warren Macdonald tours the world helping people and organizations adapt to change. He has published a book about his story A Test of Will. Warren's courage and determination have brought him international attention, including a guest appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

"In these uncertain times, our biggest challenge is to avoid becoming paralyzed by fear. What I saw in Miranda yesterday was someone that, despite having no idea what the future held when she climbed her tree 138 days ago,went anyway. Her commitment to, not just the forests, but the vision of what Tasmania's future could look like, is outstanding and a shining example for us all" said Warren Macdonald

"It was an inspirational conversation to discuss with Warren the challenges that life can bring and the ways in which we all have the power to overcome those challenges" said Miranda Gibson. "Warren's story shows the strength that each person can have not only to adapt to change in their own lives, but to create positive change in the world."

 Four conservationists have been arrested today at Forestry Tasmania’s Hobart headquarters. An alliance of forest groups including Still Wild Still Threatened, Huon Valley Environment Centre and Code Green conducted a “sit in” dressed as Tasmanian devils. The “devils” occupied the atrium of the Forestry Tasmania building and refused to leave. Four demonstrators were arrested and charged with committing a Trespass. They have subsequently been released on bail.

Today’s action highlights community concerns surrounding recent findings of a healthy juvenile devil in an area scheduled for logging, in the forest of the Tyenna Valley, surrounding The Observer Tree. Miranda Gibson, permanent resident of The Observer Tree platform for the past four months, released footage of the young devil on Monday

“This footage is evidence of the existence of devil dens in the area. In December Still Wild Still Threatened released footage of a mother devil in the same location. Had logging proceeded in this area over summer, the maternal den site would have been disturbed and this young devil may not have survived. This highlights the importance of protecting these forests for the future survival of this species” said Ms Gibson

“Maternal dens are used from generation to generation. It is likely that this young devil may raise young in the same area. With these findings it is now more critical than ever that these high conservation value forests are formally protected” said Ms Gibson.

“Tasmanians are calling for greater protection for Tasmania’s most iconic species. The Tasmanian devil and other endemic species are at risk of extinction due to rapid decreases in population and secure undisturbed habitat. The community is demanding Forestry Tasmania and the State Government install immediate measures to ensure the restoration and protection of habitat for our unique species. Protection of the 572,000ha of native forests, over half of which were identified by the government’s experts as key habitat for the Tasmanian Devil, is the obvious first step to take.” said spokesperson for today’s action Ali Alishah (Still Wild Still Threatened).

Enough is enough. The Tasmanian forestry industry has been burning waste caused by logging in the forests for far too long.

An alliance of grass roots forest NGO’s are calling for a ban on the burns. Our Alliance includes Huon Valley Environment Centre, Still Wild Still Threatened and Code Green.

The entire model of forestry practices in Tasmania is broken. The forest industry has made attempts to ‘improve’ the community impacts of their “regeneration burns”, by having communication in the media for example. However, our organisations say that it is not good enough to continue to engage in the practice of burning the large amounts of waste in the logging areas, including rainforest species that have been left to burn.

The wasteful practice is polluting the clean air, threatening our health and environment and damaging the clean green brand of Tasmanian small industries.

Please take a few minutes to sign our online action:

http://banforestryburns.good.do/save-tasmanias-clean-air/help-ban-forestry-tasmanias-regeneration-burns-in-tasmania/

Burn off in Plenty Forest

The full cycle of logging incursions inside Tasmania’s verified, but unprotected, high conservation value forests has been captured in eye-opening new surveillance aerial footage filmed yesterday, which reinforces the case and urgency for an immediate moratorium on logging activity.

These four environment groups have offered an olive branch comprising a suspension of their market action in Japan for one month on the condition that a moratorium is imposed over the 572,000 hectares under discussion for potential future reservation, whilst forest talks take place.

“We are yet to receive a response on the offer we made to government and the industry, and in the meantime we have gained spectacular new footage showing forests inside the 572 000ha that are being logged, roaded and burnt right now,” said Jenny Weber of Huon Valley Environment Centre.

“The cycle of forest destruction in Tasmania stems from the roads pushed in to pristine forest, large scale industrial logging operations and high intensity burning. The outstanding values of the forests are completely destroyed and we are losing significant tracts of world-class forests every single day.”

“At a time when the focus should be on moving out and moving on, Forestry Tasmania is instead bulldozing new logging roads deep into wilderness of global significance and logging verified World Heritage forests. Make no mistake, this is strategic destruction and must be reined in,” Ms Weber said.

“The rapid devastation that is occurring in Butlers Gorge is seeing their unique ecosystems lost by ongoing logging operations. This area has been identified by the West report as one of the most significant tracts of Tasmania’s tall eucalpyt forests. The wilderness values of these forests are indicated as a key reason for the recommendation of adding them to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area,” said Miranda Gibson of Still Wild Still Threatened from the Observer Tree.

“Apocalyptic vision of the Forestry Tasmania regeneration burn in the Plenty Valley taken during our surveillance flight shows the unacceptable practice that blanketed The Channel in smoke yesterday. We filmed the aftermath of such fires inside the high conservation value area,” said Ula Majewski of The Last Stand.

“Regarding our olive branch offer, we have delivered a formal letter to government and await their response,” said Peg Putt, representing Markets for Change.

“We reiterate that our offer of a moratorium on market action is conditional on not continuing to log the forests under discussion for protection. Forestry Tasmania’s blatant attack on forests of the highest value which we have revealed, and their refusal to consider moving out, is a serious problem,” Ms Putt concluded.

Environment groups have offered to suspend their markets campaign in Japan for one month while forest peace talks proceed, on the condition that logging ceases in the 572,000 hectares of verified high conservation value forests, whilst negotiations about protecting them take place.

"It's a moratorium for a moratorium" said Peg Putt of Markets for Change. 

"Logging the forests that are the subject of discussions about their protection cannot be justified. Wood should be sourced from the remaining million hectares of native forest outside the area subject to reserve claims, whilest an agreement is hammered out around reserve creation and forest industry restructure" 

"We began our campaign with Japanese customers of Ta Ann because the promised moratorium on logging was not implemented and Ta Ann's wood supply was officially identified as the key driver of logging within this area."

"If logging ceases inside the verified 572,000 hectares, we will give the talks the opportunity to reach an agreement to protect Tasmania's globally significant forests" said Jenny Weber of the Huon Valley Environment Centre.

"The West report provides overwhelming evidence for the protection of these forests. The damage that has been done from years of over-cutting the forests means taht the conservation of the threatened intact forests is at the edge of a cliff. It is a critical time for these forests to be protected for world heritage, national heritage, carbon storage, and species protection,” Ms
Weber continued.

Miranda Gibson of Still Wild Still Threatened, who has now spent 110 days perched in her tree sit 60 meters up the Observer Tree, has also been co-ordinating messages to Japan. Her tree top eyrie is located in one of the logging coupes under imminent threat inside the verified high conservation value forests.

"I will support the conditional moratorium on the markets campaign in Japan. Meanwhile, however, I will remain in the Observer Tree to bear witness and await a final outcome. I am keeping the Tasmanian devils and wedge-tailed eagles company whilst they wait for their homes to be secured. It is viatl that during this period we continue with informative and educational campaigns" said Ms Gibson.

"We will advocate other vitally important things that must come out of an agreement, in particular that the improvements to the Forest Practices Code are fully applied, to ensure that areas outside the 572,000 hectares subject to continued logging when negotiations are resolved will be treated in an environmentally responsible manner and not suffer the brunt of drastically intensified logging" said Ms Gibson. 

The groups all reject calls made by the forest industry (through FIAT) to constrain the right to freedom of speech, the right to association and the right to non-violent protest.

"We absolutely reject the call for draconian anti-protest laws, which would undermine the basic principles of our democracy. We intend to continue domestic campaignbs to build awareness and public pressure on delivering protection for these magnificient threatened forests" said Ula Majewski of The Last Stand. "A long lasting outcome cannot be achieved by imposing curbs on democratic freedoms."

Brisbane Canberra 

An incredible show of world wide support saw over 70 actions across 15 countries in 24 hours calling for an end to the destruction of Tasmania's forests.

People gathered to hold banners in snow filled streets, images of the forest were projected onto town buildings, handmade signs were held up in backyards, some stood as silent statues dressed in green, while some took the action to their local area of forest destruction in solidarity and others asked passers-by to 'have a heart for Tassie's forests.'

In Hobart a massive 40 meter banner was held up outside Ta Ann's head office, in Tokyo a letter was delivered to SMKC (partner to Ta Ann) and a pair of daring conservationists’ abseiled the Black Mountain Tower in Canberra to unfurl the message on a giant banner.

This global effort builds on ongoing action of conservationist Miranda Gibson, who has spent 63 days so far at the top of an old growth tree in Tasmania's threatened forest. Ms Gibson’s commitment to remain in the tree until the forest is protected has inspired people right across the globe. Miranda beamed the message of forest protection straight from the trees to the world, using Skype to speak at the actions and taking part in a press conference via video link up.

Despite being promised protection by the Tasmanian State and Australian Federal governments back in August 2011 the forests continue to fall. The government broke their promise of an "immediate conservation agreement" across 430,000 hectares of high conservation value forest across Tasmania. Instead the logging continues in order to supply wood to Malaysian company Ta Ann.

"It is an international disgrace that the Australian government promised the protection of these forests six months ago now. Yet due to the Ta Ann’s insatiable appetite for native forests, logging has actually increased in the areas that are ear-marked for forest reserves" said Miranda Gibson.

"Today's action sends a clear message to Ta Ann and their corporate customers that the international community will not tolerate the destruction of these globally significant forests. We are asking Ta Ann’s customers including flooring manufacturers Panasonic and Eidai and Japan’s largest home building companies Seksui House, Daiwa House to cease purchasing from Ta Ann while the company is driving the logging of Tasmania’s native forests" said Ms Gibson.

Hobart: Ta Ann office action Tokyo, Japan 

The veneer produced by Ta Ann from Tasmania's forests is misleadingly sold around the world as "eco" friendly. The company has told its international customers that the wood is sourced from plantations. And locally they claim to use only 'regrowth' forests. However, the Huon Valley Environment Centre released a report last year that detailed evidence of Ta Ann's use of high conservation value and old growth forest. In addition the government initiated independent assessment of Forestry Tasmania's data proved that Ta Ann is the major driver behind the continued logging of high conservation value forests. The report produced from the independent assessment showed that the majority of coupes scheduled within the area ear-marked for protection are being logged to supply Ta Ann.

"A long term vision that gives Tasmania a unique reserve system, protection for endangered species habitat and taking real action to mitigate climate change is what we are standing up for. With people around the globe and around Australia, we are calling for the protection for these treasure houses of species," Huon Valley Environment Centre’s Jenny Weber said.

With UK company International Plywood cancelling their contract a few months ago after being given evidence of Ta Ann's forest destruction, the campaign is now gaining global support in calling on the Japanese corporate customers of Ta Ann to do the same unless Ta Ann cease destroying native forests. A letter will be sent to those companies with that message and details of the global action. There is also a cyber action up and running, for people to sign a letter to be emailed to those companies, just go to:

www.taann.com.au


Miranda Gibson continues her tree top vigil in the forests, with new inspiration and enthusiasm from the past 24 hours of action. "It has been inspiring to have such an overwhelming level of support and actions right across the globe" said Ms Gibson. "I hope my ongoing presence in the forests will continue to inspire people to take action and keep this campaign going until we achieve the conservation outcomes that are so desperately needed for these forests to survive into the future."

Miranda's tree sit, equipped with solar panels and internet, is bringing the forests straight from southern Tasmania to you. Check out her daily on line blog:

www.observertree.org


Check out photos from the around the world:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76527681@N03/sets/72157629320724403/

Sulawesi, Indonesia

Join us on Wednesday 15^th February 2012 to stand up for our forests, support Miranda Gibson’s inspiring action and get logging out of our native forests forever.

Sometimes the actions of one person can inspire thousands of others.

As you read this, Tasmanian forest activist Miranda Gibson has been living on a platform 60m high in the tall trees of Tasmania’s western wilderness for over 6 weeks. Miranda has vowed to remain where she is until Tasmania’s forests receive protection. If you haven’t already heard about Miranda’s inspiring action, you can follow her blog at http://observertree.org

Tasmania’s forests were promised protection by the Australian Government last year. However, logging continues as rapidly as ever. Malaysian timber giant Ta Ann has played a key role in ensuring these forests remain unprotected. Despite labeling some of its products as éco ply’, Ta Ann continues to receive timber from old growth forests in Tasmania, rejecting timber from plantations. The timber is exported and sold in Japan, China and Europe. To read more about Ta Ann and its forest-destroying activities, check out this great report by the Huon Valley Environment Centre http://bit.ly/mRlUbs

The campaign had a major success last month with one of Ta Ann’s customers UK company International Plywood cancelling its wood contract after hearing about Tasmanian forest destruction. Now it’s time to call on Ta Ann’s major international customers, based in Japan, to follow suit and stop buying wood from our precious native forests.  The recent success shows that change is possible. These companies hold the key to forest protection in Tasmania.

 We need your help to send a clear message to Ta Ann and its customers that Australia and the global community will not accept native forest destruction!   

Take a stand for our spectacular forests and join us right across Australia on Wednesday 15^th February 2012 to take part in a massive 24 hours of action that is happening around the world from 14 – 15 February.*
 
It’s easy to take part in this global 24 hours of action! There are two things you can do:

1.      (The simple option)

All you need to do is gather a few friends, paint a banner, photograph yourselves with it and email us the photo. We also have posters and fliers we can send you with a bit more information about the campaign and things people can do to help.

2. (If you can do something a bit more technical)

Get hold of a good projector and project some of Miranda’s footage of the forest (which we can send you) onto a wall in a prominent location – the bigger the image the better! If logging has started we will send you footage of logging, if not we will have other images of the forest and the species that live in it. We are really excited about this aspect of the action as we think it will communicate the forest destruction to passers-by in a very powerful way.

We’re really keen to raise as much awareness as possible about this huge action, so if you could help us with spreading the word, that would be ace!
 
Please contact us right away on observertree2011@gmail.com if you would like to take part in the action, put posters up in your area, or help us with promotion, and we will send you more action details via our super sonic electro carrier pigeon.
 
* Because of differences in time zones, the action will be held over 14 & 15 February (Weds 15^th Feb in Australia). Contact us at observertree2011@gmail.com for more info.