Media release – Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association (TWGA), 19 March 2024
Wild Guides call on Tasmanians to celebrate International Day of Forests by heading out bush
The Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association (TWGA) is encouraging Tasmanians to celebrate International Day of Forests on 21st of March by getting out into lutruwita/Tasmania’s forests.
“There is no better way to celebrate this UN declared day than by heading out bush, whether that’s to your local reserve, to a National Park, or a World Heritage Area that’s UNESCO listed.” – said Andy Szöllősi, the President of the TWGA,
“Lutruwita/Tasmania’s forests are of global significance. People come from across the globe to experience the wild and natural beauty of our little heart shaped island. Tassie is one of the last places on Earth where ancient and wild forests remain – what a privilege it is for us to live here with such magnificent and significant natural value in our backyard – we need to get out and connect with it more!” -said Amelie Hudspeth, Vice President of the TWGA.
The TWGA recently collaborated with The Tree Projects to facilitate an open day in one of lutruwita/Tasmania’s southern forests, the Grove of Giants. The Grove of Giants is part of Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s (STT’s) permanent timber production zone, and while it has been taken off STT’s three-year logging schedule, it still awaits permanent protection from deforestation. This forest contains some of the world’s biggest eucalypt trees, in excess of 90m in height and over 300 cubic metres in volume. Participants at the open day were invited into the forest to intimately connect with its natural value – they were given the opportunity to partake in a tree climbing activity which saw them hauled fifty metres up into a giant stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua)!
Andy Szöllősi notes the importance of forests in lutruwita: “As wilderness guides, we see the continuing destruction of native forests in Tasmania as not only a failure to address the climate and biodiversity crises, but also as actively damaging the Tasmanian brand and narrowing opportunities for people who wish to work in the nature tourism sector in the future.”
“On one hand Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE) is formulating a new threatened species strategy to prevent further extinctions and habitat loss, and on the other, Sustainable Timbers Tasmania (STT) continues to clearfell high conservation value forests around the state, destroying habitat and leading to extinctions. This is a contradiction that must be resolved by the Tasmanian Government.” – said Vito Macolino, Treasurer of the TWGA.
The TWGA is calling on Tasmanians to connect with the naturally and culturally significant forests on March 21st to bring greater awareness around the importance of preserving wild places. “We encourage anyone in Tasmania on International Day of Forests to head outdoors and spend time in the bush. When you are out there, be still and experience the forest with all your senses. It will speak to you, if you are willing to listen,” said Andy Szöllősi, President of TWGA.
Please remember to plan ahead and follow leave no trace principles when visiting sensitive areas. Follow good safety in remote places by taking appropriate equipment and leaving your plans with a reliable person who knows where you are going.
Featured image above: tree climbing participants at the recent TWGA event at the Grove of Giants.
