Miranda greeted by Bob Brown and Jenny Weber. Pic: Matt Newton, http://matthewnewton.com.au/Commercial/People/1/
Miranda greeted by Bob Brown and Jenny Weber. Pic: Matt Newton, http://matthewnewton.com.au/Commercial/People/1/
• Peg Putt: Miranda Gibson’s record stand in Observer Tree hailed, as wildfire forces her descent
Urgency remains for cessation of logging destruction of these outstanding Tasmanian forests
Miranda Gibson is today being hailed an environmental hero after campaigning for almost 15 months from high up in Tasmania’s remote and threatened forests, drawing global attention to the logging destruction that continues in defiance of efforts to gain secure protection of these forests in their intact state, said Australian environmental campaign group Markets For Change.
“The heroic stand of Miranda Gibson has been extraordinary as she has been the ambassador for our wilderness forests beaming her message into homes, offices and classrooms around the world from high in the Observer Tree. We cannot thank her enough,” said Peg Putt, CEO of Markets For Change.
“It is strangely fitting that it is the wild unpredictability of nature that has dictated Miranda’s descent as wildfire burns close to this remote forest.”
“I will never forget the heartfelt connection with Miranda, our fabulous wilderness forests and their unique wildlife that I encountered amongst environmentalists in downtown Tokyo. She has played a very significant role that will be long remarked upon.”
“We will continue to work together with Miranda and grass roots environmental groups in Tasmania to silence the chainsaws that are still ripping into these magnificent forests, including those recently nominated for World Heritage listing. There is no reasonable excuse for this logging to continue.”
“Customer companies of Tasmanian wood products should beware that material arising from destruction of ancient forests of the highest possible conservation value is entering the wood supply from Tasmania and insist that they want to retail eco-friendly product, not product with such extremely dubious environmental credentials.”
• Christine Milne: Greens congratulate Miranda Gibson for record campaign to save forests
The Australian Greens congratulate and pay tribute to Miranda Gibson for her tireless campaign to protect Tasmania’s magnificent forests.
Miranda has been living in the Observer Tree in the southern forests of Tasmania for a record 451 days. This is a significant milestone for conservation and is now the longest running tree sit in Australian history.
“I would like to congratulate Miranda for the outstanding contributions she has made towards protecting Tasmania’s native forests from logging and for her strong advocacy for World Heritage listing,” Senator Christine Milne said.
“I know this is a difficult decision for Miranda to leave the Observer Tree after 451 days, but I know that her campaign to protect our native forests will continue now she is on the ground.
“Miranda is a dedicated and passionate environmental activist who has played a significant role in highlighting the hypocrisy of the Federal Government nominating forests for world heritage listing whilst continuing to allow to logging to go ahead in the nominated area.
“Miranda’s global outreach has been a constant reminder that Tasmania’s global reputation as an area of great beauty and wilderness is at risk if logging continues.
“Earlier this year I visited Miranda in the Observer Tree 60 metres above the ground.
“Standing on Miranda’s platform looking out over the forests was both an awe inspiring and challenging experience she has lived on the platform through rain, snow and wild winter conditions and I have the upmost admiration for her courage and determination.”
The Greens encourage people to continue to support Miranda at www.observertree.org by calling on Minister Burke and the Prime Minister to stop logging in forests that have been nominated for World Heritage Protection.
• MIRANDA GIBSON MOVES CAMPAIGN TO FOREST FLOOR
Following 457 Days Vigil in Tree Tops
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
Thursday, 7 March 2013
The Tasmanian Greens today congratulated Miranda Gibson for her heroic campaign to save Tasmania’s acclaimed forests, after wildfire forced her to leave her post in the Observer Tree.
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said the bravery, grace and quiet determination of Ms Gibson throughout her record-breaking vigil of 457 days left him in awe.
“Hats off to Miranda and her support team. Her peaceful 457 day vigil in the tree tops to advocate for our precious high conservation value forests has caught the attention of the world,” Mr McKim said.
“Ms Gibson’s brave and isolated stand at the Observer Tree will go down in Tasmania’s conservation lore.”
“It will undoubtedly inspire future citizens who believe we must protect our globally recognised forests and special wild places.”
“It is our understanding that Ms Gibson’s exit from the tree is her responsible assessment that a wildfire burning in the vicinity could develop into an emergency situation, and is not because she believes her job has been done.
“Her vigil’s end is only a new start to the next stage of her efforts to end the destruction of these world heritage nominated forests.”
“On behalf of the Tasmanian Greens, I pay tribute to Ms Gibson for her inspirational vigil campaign in the Observer Tree, welcome her back to the forest floor, where I know she will continue with the same determination to advocate for our unique and precious high conservation value forests,” Mr McKim said.
• WILDFIRE FORCES EXIT FROM OBSERVER TREE, CAMPAIGN FOR LOGGING EXIT CONTINUES
Miranda Gibson has today reluctantly left her perch high up in the Observer Tree, after 457 days, as a bushfire burned to within a kilometre and it became clear that predicted hot weather early next week could precipitate an emergency situation in the remote forest.
Smoke is filling the Tyenna valley and the sounds of crashing trees can be heard nearby as the wildfire has grown from 3 hectares yesterday afternoon to 40 hectares this morning, with the fire currently unable to be contained.
Miranda, of Still Wild Still Threatened, has spent almost 15 months in the Observer Tree after she climbed up on 14th December 2011, vowing to remain as long as possible to defend the forests, including the World Heritage value area in which the tree is situated.
“Nature can be wild and unpredictable, and whilst I was able to withstand winter snow and summer heat exposed to the elements 60 metres up the Observer Tree, it is the sensible and safe decision to climb down now rather than put lives at risk with the bushfire so close,” Ms Gibson said.
“Our campaign to stop the logging of these World Heritage nominated forests and of the proposed protected areas will continue despite my exit from the Observer Tree. Although it is disappointing to leave this forest whilst these precious places continue to fall to the chainsaw, I have a huge respect for the forces of nature that are in play. And I remain as dedicated as ever to standing up for Tasmania’s threatened forests. ”
Miranda has gathered a large international following as she has communicated with people around the planet via solar powered internet from the remote tree tops of Tasmania.
“I want to stress that magnificent forests are still in jeopardy, including places it has been agreed should be protected and become World Heritage listed, and that our will to see them safe remains as strong as ever. The campaign for these globally significant forests will now move into a new phase,” Ms Gibson concluded.
