Mel Hills
At this stage Forestry Tas tells us that they are still intent on logging this coupe “sometime during this financial year”. We cannot sit and do nothing and let this happen. As you know, it is not just any patch of forest, but rather an extremely high-value old-growth habitat supporting several threatened species, and is also highly symbolic because of the recent court proceedings with Bob Brown. There are now a number of initiatives being considered which are outlined here so that you can see which of them might suit you if you want to become involved or perhaps re-visit Wielangta…
Wielangta Campaign Update 24 JULY 08
Hello Everyone,
The picnic-walk into the proposed logging coupe 19D last Saturday was a great success, and it’s hoped that those of you who came along enjoyed the day. With the Mercury reporting an attendance of around 250, and TV news coverage on all channels, it certainly got the word out that people are taking an active interest in the area, and are concerned about the threatened species that are known to be there. Let’s not forget the scandalous disregard for carbon storage that logging would represent, too.
The question remains now: What else can we do?
At this stage Forestry Tas tells us that they are still intent on logging this coupe “sometime during this financial year”. We cannot sit and do nothing and let this happen. As you know, it is not just any patch of forest, but rather an extremely high-value old-growth habitat supporting several threatened species, and is also highly symbolic because of the recent court proceedings with Bob Brown.
There are now a number of initiatives being considered which are outlined here so that you can see which of them might suit you if you want to become involved or perhaps re-visit Wielangta. This is, of course, 100% volunteer effort – so it really needs people to do whatever they think they can find time for, or enjoy most, or be good at. Hopefully there is enough variety for everyone to find SOMETHING to be part of. Just choose what interests you and phone Mark Agnew (62571434) or email Mel Hills ([email protected]) about it.
So….what’s happening ? –
Firstly, some exciting news: on the picnic walk, Andy North, a well respected ecologist was able to identify in the coupe not one, but TWO species of orchid that are on the threatened species list!! The Threatened Species Unit in the Department of Primary Industries and Water and Forestry Tasmania have been notified. There is the potential for an Interim Protection Order to be invoked.
This has prompted suggestions for further bio-surveys of both flora and fauna. So if you have any expertise in these fields, or would like to be part of support crews for such surveys, this really needs doing.
There is to be a one-day Non Violent Action (Peaceful Protest) workshop at the Copping Hall on Sunday the 17th of August. The workshop will run from 10am to 4pm, so bring some lunch. Some of you put names down on Saturday the 19th for this, and will be informed further, but if you haven’t yet done so, and would like to participate, please get your name in, a.s.a.p.
Free Postcards – you’ve all seen them (Avante Card etc) and having some out there for Wielangta sounds like a good idea. Can anyone help with info or resources for this ?
Also, more printed T-shirts like the swift parrot ones (but even better !) – any helpers with skills or materials etc out there ?
An idea that a “Wielangta Vision Dinner” could help all involved pool ideas and pull together is only that, as yet – an idea – but can any of you make it a reality ?
Making giant parrots from paper maché (or similar) could be a fun and worthwhile workshop. Can’t you see them lined up on the boom gate at an appropriate moment !? Kids and Adults can have fun with this…..We need people to organize and participate…. ?
Salamanca Market – Could anyone with a stall or other ideas to get Wielangta some exposure here please do what you can.
It is hoped that a small representative group can arrange to have a personal meeting with Premier Bartlett. Steve Whitely of Forestry Tas may also be willing to do some ‘COMMUNITY CONSULTATION’ with our campaign.
There is a mainland “Save the Swift Parrot” group that is being contacted in the hope that some pressure from NSW can be brought to bear on saving the breeding habitat here of the swifties (they only breed in Tasmania).
WE can all do something, and we can only hope that it will be enough. Your support and participation is much appreciated. A big thank you to all those who helped out in so many ways on the picnic day.
PS – Forestry repeatedly emphasise the importance of models and modelling to both their rationale and modus operandi. Are there any models out there who can think of something that might excite Forestry staff other than habitat destruction ?
One more thing. We now have a blog (web log or journal) (thanks Jo). Tell everyone about it and refer media there for information, if you’re talking on radio, writing letters etc.
All future updates will be accessible through:
http://wildwielangta.edublogs.org
You can subscribe to receive the blog updates by email and everyone is encouraged to become a user and publish on the blog. If you have any media you’d like to share related to Wielangta or our threatened species: writing of any kind, links to sites we need, art work, sound files (podcasts), slideshows, etc please join up and publish.
Did anyone take any good photos on Saturday either of the crowd or of the forest that you’d be happy to share in a slide show presentation on the Wild Wielangta blog? Also if anyone took any video it could be put on Youtube or google video and embedded in a posting in the blog.
Use our new email address to make contact: [email protected]
There is also a Facebook network/group for Wild Wielangta.
Just go to www.face book.com search for wildwielangta and invite your friends to join the group. If anyone has David Bartlett as his/her friend could you please invite him to join the wildwielangta group.
If anyone can’t access the blog for some reason and would still like to recieve updates by email could you please let us know through emailing wildwielangta at gmail.com
