*Summer Campaign Update and Events 2008*
*Southern Tasmania *
Hi all –
Its going to be a great summer to come to Tasmania and be involved in the campaign to protect Tasmania’s old growth forests!
It has been a huge year for the forests of Tasmania, particularly with the national emphasis on the proposed Bell Bay pulp mill. Despite huge community opposition to this proposal, it has been approved by both Federal and State Governments and building of the facility is scheduled to start in January 2008. However the community campaign against this environmentally polluting mill which will have a huge appetite for native forests continues.
So too does the unprecedented level of destruction of our southern Tasmanian old growth and high conservation level forests. The campaigns to protect the southern forests of the Weld Valley, the Styx Valley, and the Florentine Valley continue on and 2007 has seen more community based campaigning and direct action than ever.
Since the destruction of Camp Weld – the Pirate Ship Blockade – in November 2006, the whole of the valley has been declared an exclusion zone, shutting out the general public, however activists have not been deterred and have continued to keep the spotlight on the destruction. This year saw clear-felling on the World Heritage border in the Weld Valley, and forestry plan to build a road and bridge over the Weld River to open up 2000 hectares of untouched ancient forest for logging. This is the largest piece of rainforest in Southern Tasmania. This is planned to start in the next few months.
A road is also planned to be pushed 3km into the Picton opening up 2000 hectares to logging which used to be national park. Old growth logging is also continuing on in the Arve, Esperence and Little Denison Regions. The moratorium on the Florentine Valley ends at the time of the Federal election in November, meaning once again this majestic forest will be under attack. With the recent global focus on climate change, now more than ever we must protect our ancient forests as they play an integral role in climate change mitigation through their role of storing carbon.
We are all working incredibly hard in Tasmania to protect these ancient forests, however we need your help. Please consider coming to Tasmania this summer and supporting our campaign. Walk in the bush, witness the majesty of these forests before they are gone. Learn new skills, get informed about the issues and how you can help. Below is a list of summer events that you can take part in.
Can’t come to tassie but still want to help?? Then consider holding a film night or fundraiser. Distribute information and raise awareness in your own area. Become a member of the Huon Valley Environment Centre and be updated regularly. Make a donation. Check out the websites. Be part of what is an incredible community campaign! Email: centre@huon.org or campflorentine@gmail.com for more information.
*Southern Forests Convergence
January 18th – 20th
Forest Skillshare.*
Learn about the southern forest campaigns, forests and climate change and how you can help.
Speakers, workshops, films, music.
Camping. No Dogs.
*Gunn’s n Dozers
Lose Your Exclusion Tour
January 21st – 28th
Community Action Week*
Addressing Tasmania’s Southern Forests Exclusion Zones.
Including an RTS and Music Event.
*TAZ
D.I.Y Gathering
February 8th – 10th*
Electronic music, live performances, cabaret, films, workshops and more.
Kids welcome. Camping. No dogs.
*For more information:*
www.huon.org
www.myspace.com/stillwildstillthreatened
email:centre@huon.org or campflorentine@gmail.com
phone: 03 62641286
Huon Valley Environment Centre
www.huon.org
The Huon Valley Environment Centre is a grassroots, not for profit, volunteer run charity based in the Huon Valley, Southern Tasmania. The centre opened 6 years ago as a result of huge community concern over the devastation of local forests, which form a huge part of the majesty and magic of Tasmania’s unique landscape. Since then it has been at the forefront of the campaign to protect these ancient forests in Southern Tasmania.
The Environment Centre facilitates a community working space, an eco-shop and library, a community awareness raising campaign, film nights, musical events, fundraising events, festivals, direct action, lobbying, information
stalls, and the Black Sassy Art collective.
The Huon Valley Environment Centre is one of the Gunns 20 defendants, and is currently being sued by the woodchipping giant Gunns Ltd. for over half a million dollars for standing up for Tasmania’s ancient forests.