Media Release: The world celebrates the success of community action to protect forests.
The decision today by the World Heritage Committee to approve the extension to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is testament to the power of the community, after decades of action to defend these forests.
The Observer Tree and the forest surrounding it as well as the site of Camp Florentine blockade are now World Heritage listed.
“On December 14th 2011 I climbed to the top of a tree in a threatened forest and said I would stay until the forest was protected. That forest is now World Heritage. It is thanks to the support from people right around the world that the forest is still standing and is now protected” said Miranda Gibson, spokesperson for Still Wild Still Threatened.
“For 14 months I watched over the forest every day with the hope that we, as a community, could defend those trees for future generations. Today, for that forest, we have achieved that” said Ms Gibson.
“Today I think of the wedge tailed eagle that I watched fly above my tree, whose habitat was once under threat and is now protected and of the Tasmanian devils who lived in the forest 60 meters below my platform who can now raise their young in peace” said Ms Gibson.
“Today we celebrate the protection of some of Tasmania’s most significant forests including the Tyenna, Weld and Upper Florentine. For six years the Upper Florentine Valley has been defended by Tasmania’s longest running forest blockade. This forest is still standing because the community took action and halted logging to protect the values of this ecosystem, that are now officially World Heritage. This Sunday the community will return to site of Camp Florentine to celebrate our success in ensuring these forests will be standing for future generations” said Ms Gibson.
“Thousands of people across the globe have been part of this global movement to protect Tasmania’s ancient forests as World Heritage. Right around the world people today are celebrating the power of community action and what we have achieved for Tasmania’s forests said Ms Gibson.
Posted on June 24, 2013, in Media Releases. Bookmark the permalink. 9 Comments.
T h e O b s e r v e r T r e e 
Well done –
At last, a fantastic conservation outcome to be celebrated! This is a day when Miranda, Jenny, and all involved from SWST/HVEC/+affiliated groups and individuals can reflect and be proud of their efforts in highlighting the destruction of these magnificent forests. You true frontline campaigners have worked so hard and behaved selflessly over many years in bringing attention to the destruction of Tasmania’s southern forests, which are now rightly recognised and protected as world heritage. I have no doubt that future generations will look back in gratitude.
you are so awesome and wonderful! i’m so happy to know about your goal and that you succeeded, proud of everyone that helped save the forest, thank you!
Heartfelt HUGS to you all and deep gratitude for your superhuman efforts to achieve this outcome. Now on to keeping open cut coal mining out of Tasmania and the mainland! The struggle against polluting and profiteering industries is far from over. Thanks to you who have dedicated your hearts and souls to protecting the environment we are all benefiting from these kind of victories.
Congratulations to you, Miranda and to all the many other people who campaigned so hard for this forest to be protected.
World Heritage Status – fantastic.
UYYYYY ESO SE LLAMA TENACIDAD Y AMOR A LO QUE NOS DUELE, MIRANDA TE ESPERO EN COLOMBIA Y PODERTE DECIR……..ERES UN PREMIO NOBEL DE LA DULCURA Y LA ESPERANZA PARA EL MUNDO……..FELICITACIONES Y PARA ADELANTE SIEMPRE
The places on earth that you can go and see a 500yr old tree are decreasing,we now have one more area left for all mankind.
To all involved well done.
I live in queensland and make it an important part of my life to create awareness of whats happening in our southern state.
Near most people I talk to in Queensland are not even aware to whats happening down in Tassie.
Miranda will,with time be a known as a local hero for her efforts and rightly so.
For all concerned the fight is far from over.We now have protection from so called legal logging,its the illegal logging that will be the future sad but true.Look around the world,greed will always be.
The best protection is awareness and to have people in the area watching out,keep doing your walks and keep the groups united.
As individials we are weak…together we are strong.
Long live the forests. Ray.
Terrific result for Tasmania and forests everywhere. I hope more people in more countries follow your lead to protect their woodland before the corporate pillagers wreck it!
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