Conservationist Miranda Gibson is set to spend her second Christmas in the Observer Tree after spending more than a year living 60 meters above the ground.  To bring the festive spirit to Miranda’s tree-top perch, Santa Claus paid her a visit. Santa came into the tree baring gifts from many community members who support Miranda’s stance for the forests.

“Of all the natural areas in the world that I fly over each year on my Christmas flight I honestly believe that Tasmania’s tall forests are some of the most spectacular landscapes I have ever seen. To think they are still unprotected and threatened by logging and burning is unacceptable” said Mr Claus.

“This marks my second Christmas at the top of this tree. This time last year I had hoped that I would not have spent another Christmas here, and that this forest would be securely protected by now. Sadly, after a year, I still need to be here watching over this forest that remains under threat” said Miranda Gibson. “I hope that I will not be here for a third Christmas. In early 2013 the government has a opporutunity and the responsiblity to nominate these world-class forests for world heritage protection. What a wonderful Christmas gift it would be for all of Australians and the world, to have these forests protected for future generations” said Ms Gibson.

“I have sent a Christmas greeting to Environment Minister Tony Burke today urging him to place this area and all the other verified world heritage value forests of Tasmania into the  Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area,” said Mr Claus.
“The best christmas present Tasmania’s can ask for is the secure protection of these globally unique forests. I wish I could give this present but I it’s up to Tony Burke,” said Mr Claus.

Santa’s letter to Tony Burke

Santa Claus
PO Box 1,
North Pole
Dear Minister Burke,
As you know, I have traveled extensively across our beautiful planet and witnessed first hand many of the world’s finest natural wonders and wildernesses. I have to say that the Tasmanian wilderness and tall wet Eucalypt forests bordering the World Heritage Area are among my favourite areas to fly through. Unique in the world, these forests are home to endangered species, such as the Tasmanian devil, they are the most carbon rich forests on the planet, helping to keep our climate cool and are exceptionally beautiful and  irreplaceable.

Whilst passing through Tasmania each year on my global delivery run I am shocked to see these forests remain unprotected, many clear felled and cable logged. From the air, viewed from my sleigh, these areas look devastated. Large tracts of burnt, cleared land bordering the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

This Christmas will be the second time that I will pay a visit to Miranda Gibson in the Observer tree. I believe Miranda is a true champion of democracy and standing up for what you believe in. For over one year now she has remained at the top of a threatened old growth Eucalypt tree in the Tyenna Valley near the Styx valley in Tasmania’s Southern forests. She has vowed to stay up the tree until the forest receives the protection it deserves and is added into the World Heritage Area. If not for Miranda I believe the magnificent forest she lives in would have already been destroyed for short-term profits but at an unmeasureable cost to the environment.

These forests are some of the most majestic, unique and tallest forests on the planet. I urge you to act immediately for their protection by adding them to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Give Miranda Gibson the Christmas present that she deserves, that these forests deserve and that the vast majority of Tasmanian’s and Australian’s want too – World heritage protection for Tasmania’s ancient forests.
Your sincerely,
Santa Claus.