There was no storm

Pensive
If there ever was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere at a large public gathering it was at the Upper Florentine yesterday. There was absolutely no storming (why such a headline, Mercury?) and absolutely no intimidation of any forest worker or police. On the contrary: There was even extended dialogue between forester Michael Phillips and a circle of “visitors” listening to him. Another forest worker approached a couple of teenage girls that he obviously knew: “How are you? Sorry to meet under these circumstance. This is not what I usually do” and then the conversation quickly moved to friendly chat about chook raising. Vilification from all sides does not help. What has to be understood though is that the forestry methods of clearfelling, burning, poisoning, threatening water supplies to replant monoculture plantations of dubious return at public expense and at the cost of wide ranging ecological damage should stop now. This sort of policy and practice has been passé for decades and must be revised urgently. It is contrary to a wise forestry policy that sees forests as a highly valuable public asset with a broad range of public benefits including a thriving timber industry. A bit of fast tracking in this area would be in order. Read more, Comment here