Category Archives: Media Releases
Media Release: Tree sitter reaches 100 days.
Miranda Gibson has been at the top of a tree in Tasmania’s threatened forest for 100 days. Ms Gibson’s extraordinary effort began in mid-december when she climbed to the top of the tree vowing to remain on her tree-top platform until the area was protected, as it should have been according to the Intergovernmental Agreement. Miranda celebrated her 100th day amid snow.
“For 100 days I have sat at the top of this tree, bringing international attention to the ongoing destruction that is occurring every day in Tasmania’s irreplaceable high conservation value forests. It is timely that today Jonathan West’s report has been released, giving clear evidence of the global significance of these forests.” said Ms Gibson.
“Documented evidence has shown that Tasmanian devils are living in this area of forest. The West report has indicated the significance of these endangered species and the importance of these habitat areas” said Ms Gibson.
“I am committed to staying another 100 days if that’s what it takes. However, I hope that Tasmania will not have to wait that long to see these precious forests protected” said Ms Gibson.
“To mark my 100th day in the tree sit we will be posting 100 letters to the corporate customers of Ta Ann. These letters, from community members, will send a strong message that Tasmanians do not want to see our world class forests destroyed to make veneer” said Ms Gibson.
“My 100th day has been a special day so far, with a spectacular show from the forest as it snowed for the first time since I have been up here. Despite the cold weather, I enjoyed the beauty of the forest in the snow. I hope that through my action people all around the world can share the wonder of these forests and help conserve them for future generations” said Ms Gibson.
Media Release: Tasmanian tree sitter launches Japanese awareness campagin
Today Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Miranda Gibson is launching a campaign in Japan. Miranda Gibson has been living at the top of a tree, known as The Observer Tree, since December 14 2011 and her action has received international attention.
The innovative campaign to outreach the Observer Tree to the people of Japan will raise awareness of the threatened forests of Tasmania.
Components of the Japanese campaign include a video about the Observer Tree with narration by a Japanese translator, an article on Japanese blogs, websites and ENGO newsletters and a flyer to be distributed at events. The Observer Tree website also now features a Japanese page, which has attracted over 2,000 views since being released last week.
Still Wild Still Threatened has collaborated on this unique campaign effort with the Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN). On March 11th the film was shown in Tokyo at a commemorative event for the Fukioshima tragedy. Japanese campaigners also gave presentation and distributed information about the Observer Tree.
“Ancient forests in Tasmania have world heritage values. Now these forests are being destroyed for timber demands in our Japanese flooring markets. I hope many Japanese consumers will listen to the voices from the killing fields” said Akira Harada, director of Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN).
“Today I have been at the top of a tree for 90 days, in a forest that is due to be logged to supply Ta Ann. I want to share my story and the story of this forest with people in Japan” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Miranda Gibson.
“The high conservation value forests that are being destroyed to supply Ta Ann are ending up as veneer products in Japan. This new campaign is aimed at raising awareness throughout Japan to expose the truth behind Ta Ann’s lies ” said Ms Gibson.
“This campaign is encouraging people in Japan to contact the Japanese corporate customers of Ta Ann and ask them to stop sourcing wood from Tasmanian forest destruction”
“I have also personally written to Ta Ann’s customers letting them know that people right across the world support the protection of Tasmania’s forests. I have sent them images of over 70 actions that took place in 15 countries during the global 24 hours of action on February 15”
“Still Wild Still Threatened is committed to continue this markets-focused campaign, in order to expose Ta Ann’s lies and to call on Ta Ann to stop sourcing wood from Tasmania’s native forests” said Ms Gibson.
Media Release 23/02/2012: Global message to Ta Ann’s customers calling for end to forest destruction
Conservationist Miranda Gibson has today written to the Japanese corporate customers of Ta Ann to inform them of the 70 actions that took place last week in support of Tasmania’s forests. Miranda Gibson has spent the last 10 weeks at the top of a tree in forest that is threatened by logging in order to supply wood to Ta Ann.
“Today we are sending a clear message to Ta Ann’s Japanese corporate customers and asking them not to purchase wood sourced from our precious high conservation value forests. Last week, over 70 actions took place in 15 countries around the world in support of Tassie’s spectacular forests” said Miranda Gibson.
“Today Bryan Green is meeting with Ta Ann’s Japanese customers. If the Tasmanian government had taken real action to protect native forests, then Bryan Green would be able to reassure those companies today. However, as long as Ta Ann continue to destroy native forests and to lie about their products there will be instability in the market” said Ms Gibson
“We fear that Bryan Green’s efforts today are a further attempt to cover up the lies of Ta Ann. Our correspondence with these companies today is bringing to their attention the fact that the international community know the truth about Ta Ann and will not accept Ta Ann’s ongoing role in native forest destruction.” said Ms Gibson.
Actions are set to continue in Tasmania and around the world to highlight Ta Ann’s role as the driving force behind Tasmanian forest destruction.
Media Release: Still Wild Still Threatened calls for public apology from the Premier
Still Wild Still Threatened calls on Premier Lara Giddings to make a public apology for her misleading comments about environmentalists.
“The Premier’s attacks on environmentalists is getting out of control and she exacerbating communtiy conflict through unsubstantiated claims” said Miranda Gibson, spokesperson for Still Wild Still Threatened. “Still Wild Still Threatened rejects the Premiers accusations. Conservationists from Still Wild Still Threatened have never used tree spiking tactics.”
‘”Premier Giddings is continuing to misdirect community anger towards environmental groups when it is the poor management and business decisions made by both Ta Ann and Forestry Tasmania that have led to the current crisis” said Ms Gibson.
“Still Wild Still Threatened and the Huon Valley Environment Center are committed to non-violence. Yet, conservationist are bearing the brunt of violent threats. The Premier should be publicly condemning the threats that have been made against Jenny Weber and the Huon Valley Environment Center” said Ms Gibson.
“Still Wild Still Threatened supports the work of the Huon Valley Environment Center, The Last Stand and Markets for Change. The fact that conservationists are exposing the truth about Ta Ann’s operations does not make the environment movement responsible for the crisis of an industry that has been operating on lies and misinformation ” said Ms Gibson.
Media Release: Premier Giddings undermines the democratic rights of citizens
Today Premier Giddings sent a personal letter to Jenny Weber, spokesperson for the Huon Valley Environment Center, asking for the community group to stop speaking up in defence of Tasmania’s forests.
“The Premier Lara Giddings is completely out of line in calling on community group Huon Valley Environment Center to be silent on the forest issue. We live in a democracy where political dissent is a basic right.” said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Miranda Gibson. “The Premier should be defending the democratic right of Tasmanian citizens to voice their opinions and concerns.”
“The audacity of the Premier to ask the community to ‘back off’ is outrageous considering it is her broken promise of a conservation agreement that has led to the ongoing controversy. The purpose of the conservation agreement was to ensure the industry backed off from destroying the forest in order for negotiations to proceed” said Ms Gibson.
In addition the Huon Valley Environment Center is being scapegoated by the industry and blamed for the current industry crisis.
“It is unacceptable for Ta Ann to scapegoat community environmental groups for the crisis that has resulted from their own poor management and business decisions. The reality is that they have been misleadingly marketing their products. The only ones responsible for the loss of jobs are Ta Ann becuase the company has chosen to continue to entrench themselves in forest destruction despite the implications this is having on their global markets.”
Still Wild Still Threatened is 100% in support of the Huon Valley Environment Center and we will also continue our campaign until Tasmania’s forests receive protection.
“With over 70 actions across 15 countries in this weeks global action for Tasmania’s forests, it is clear that the Huon Valley Enviornment Center and Still Wild Still Threatened have support from all around the globe in calling for forest protection” said Ms Gibson.
Media Update: 48 actions over 13 countries send a clear message of support for Tasmania’s forests
An increible world-wide action over the last 24 hours has been instrumental in demonstating the global significance of Tasmania’s forests. Hundreds of people gathered across 48 actions in 13 countries. Including one pair of daring activists who absieled the Black Mountain Tower in Canberra to display their message of support.
With street theatre, banner drops, community gatherings, and images of Tasmania’s forest projected up onto buildinngs it has been a busy 24 hours of creative and inspirational actions.
This global action builds on the action of conservationist Miranda Gibson, who has spent 65 days so far at the top of an old growth tree near the Styx Valley. Ms Gibson’s commitment to remain in the tree until the forest is protected has inspired people right across the world.Miranda beamed Tasmania’s forest protection message straight from the trees to the people of the world, using Skype to speak at action locations right across the globe. And taking part in a press conference via video link up.
“It is an international disgrace that the Australian government promised the protection of these forests six months ago now. Yet due to the Ta Ann’s insatiable appetite for native forests, logging has actually increased in the areas that are ear-marked for forest reserves” said Miranda Gibson
“Today’s action sends a clear message to Ta Ann and their corporate customers that the international community will not tolerate the destruction of these globally significant forests. We are asking Ta Ann’s customers including flooring manufacturers Panasonic and Eidai and Japan’s largest home building companies Seksui House, Daiwa House to cease purchasing from Ta Ann while the company is driving the logging of Tasmania’s native forests” said Ms Gibson.
“Globally the ancient forests of Tasmania are significant and unique. Tall eucalypt forests are threatened from logging. A long term vision that gives Tasmania a unique reserve system, protection for endangered species habitat and taking real action to mitigate climate change is what we are standing up for. With people around the globe and around Australia, we are calling for the protection for these treasure houses of species,” Huon Valley Environment Centre’s Jenny Weber said.
“The level of support that has come in from all reaches of the globe is phenonemail” said spokesperson Miranda Gibson. “From community actions in regional Aussie towns, to a massive banner drop in Canberra and from Japan to Europe to Fiji, the people of the world have really made a stand today for Tasmania’s world class forests”
“This show of global support has given me the inspiration to continue with my committment to remain at the top of this tree untill these forests receive protection” said Ms Gibson who has spent the past 2 months at the top of a tree in Tasmainia’s threatened forests.
“We will be sending a letter and images of these actions to the Japanese corporate customers of Ta Ann, to let them know that the world supports the protection of these globally significant forests. We are asking these compainies to cease buying from Ta Ann while the company is driving forest destruction” said Ms Gibson.
Media Alert: Forest protection message to be beamed around the world
Tomorrow will see actions happen in cities and towns across Australia and the world, calling on the corporate customers of Ta Ann to cease purchasing wood from Tasmanian forest destruction. The global 24 hours of action started today and culminates in a massive show of support tomorrow, with over 40 actions confirmed so far.
This global action builds on the action of conservationist Miranda Gibson, who has spent 65 days so far at the top of an old growth tree near the Styx Valley. Ms Gibson’s commitment to remain in the tree until the forest is protected has inspired people right across the world.
Ms Gibson will be bringing Tasmania’s forest protection message straight from the trees to the people of the world, using Skype to speak at action locations right across the globe. Actions will also include images of Tasmania’s forests projected onto buildings in prominent locations, music, street theatre and banners displays.
Miranda Gibson will speak to the media via a live internet feed at press conference on Parliament Lawns, Hobart, tomorrow at 12:30pm, joined by Jenny Weber from the Huon Valley Environment Centre.
“This next 24 hours will see people from right across the globe show their support for Tasmania’s globally iconic forests. The international community is sending a very clear message to the Japanese corporate customers of Ta Ann that the global market will not accept the destruction of high conservation value forest” said Ms Gibson.
Media Release: Conservationists call for Ta Ann to move out of high conservation value forests
Today Still Wild Still Threatened is calling on Ta Ann to stop accepting wood from high conservation value forests. The group will be joined by people all around the world in this call on February 14 and 15 as part of a global action for Tasmania’s forests. This action is now more timely than ever, as Ta Ann are at a critical cross roads. Today the company announced 50% of their Japanese customer base had been lost due to the increasing awareness globally about the forest destruction.
Miranda Gibson, spokesperson for Still Wild Still Threatened, today reiterated this urgent call on Ta Ann to change their practices. Miranda has spent almost nine weeks at the top of a tree that is in an area due to be logged to supply wood to Ta Ann.
“Ta Ann have been misleadingly marketing their product as “eco” and yet sourcing their wood from controversial high conservation value forests. It should be of no surprise that people around the world are calling on them to change their practices. Today’s announcement shows clearly that the global market demand is for true eco-friendly products, not wood sourced from the destruction of Tasmania’s high conservation value forests.” said Ms Gibson.
“This campaign has exposed the truth and given customers around the world the information about where these products are coming from, which they have the right to know.” said Ms Gibson.
“Ta Ann are at a cross roads, they can either continue to entrench themselves in outdating practices of forest destruction or they can come into line with the Tasmanian forest negotiations and stop accepting wood from high conservation value forests. Why does Ta Ann wish to remain entrenched in outdated forest destruction, regardless of the consequences for the Tasmanian community, rather than move forward?” said Ms Gibson.
“In an unprecedented move, the legislative council is today attempting to silence the public. The MLC’s that have today announced that they would not pass a piece of legislation if community opposition continues are abusing their power and their democratic responsibilities. ” said Ms Gibson.
Media Release: Miranda Gibson breaks Tasmanian tree sitting record
Friday February 3rd, 2012
Today Miranda Gibson has broken the Tasmanian record for the longest time spent at the top of a tree. Miranda has been on a platform 60 meters from the ground for 52 days, and will remain there to highlight the ongoing destruction of Tasmania’s forests.
“I am 100% committed to staying up here to draw attention to the continued destruction of these world-class forests, and the broken promise of the Australian and Tasmanian governments. This ancient tree that I’m sitting was ear-marked for protection. Now, due to Ta Ann’s demand for wood sourced from these high conservation value forests, this area is under immediate threat” said Ms Gibson.
Peter ‘Peck’ Firth, the previous Tasmanian tree sit record holder, who spent 51 days in an old growth tree in the Styx Valley in 2006, offered support and encouragement to Miranda today from Western Australia.
“I’d like to acknowledge the courage and dedication of Miranda and all the people supporting her in her effort. It is not easy working for the protection of the high conservation value forests” said Mr Firth.
“This is a tragedy that Miranda and all the other good people to this day have to spend their time honouring agreements broken by the forestry industry. I look forward to the day we can all enjoy the wilderness forest for their true value without fear of their destruction. Until then our resolve to see their protection will not waiver as Miranda is demonstrating” said Mr Firth.
Miranda’s tree sit, known as The Observer Tree, has received international attention over the past 52 days. Using solar power and internet access Miranda has been able to bring Tasmania’s spectacular forests to people’s homes all around the world.
On 14 and 15 February, a global 24 hours of action in support of The Observer Tree will call on the Japanese customers of Ta Ann to cease purchasing wood coming from Tasmania’s high conservation value forests.
To view footage of Peter Firth being pulled out of his tree by helicopter in 2006, visit http://youtu.be/MWoYbA3nMM8
For more information about Ta Ann and their Japanese customers, visit www.taann.com.au
Media Release: Hi-Tech tree sit to beam the forests direct to a Parliamentary picnic
This coming Saturday conservationist Miranda Gibson will bring the forests to town and beam live from her tree top perch to talk to at a family picnic event in Hobart.
The Picnic in the Park, a family day being held on Parliament Lawns on January 28th, is a celebration of Tasmania’s forests and those working to protect them. Miranda, who has been living in a tree for almost 6 weeks now, is a key note speaker at the event, will participate in a dicussuion group and talk one-on-one to picnicers via a live web-stream.
“Networking Tassie’s threatened forests to the world, from the forests themselves and the ObserverTree is really capturing peoples imagination and this opportunity to talk live to a crowd via the internet is a new one for the forest campaign and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Ms Gibson.
A large screen will be set up on Parliament Lawns to beam Miranda and her forest protection message into the event. Other speakers include Greens senator Christine Milne. The event will also feature a series of discussion forums on topics such as conservation science, the forest Intergovernmental Agreement and the politics of freedom. Miranda will also be a participant in one of in these forums.
“It’s been almost six weeks now since I set foot on the ground. I am determined to stay at the top of this tree until the forest is protected. This weekend is a great chance for the community to come together in a celebration of the forests and to discuss the issues surrounding the forest debate in Tasmania,” said Ms Gibson.
The family day will also include stalls, children’s activities, circus, workshops and hot food. The day is being organised by a coalition of environment groups including Still Wild Still Threatened, The Wilderness Society, and Huon Valley Environment Centre.
“The Governments’ failure to protect our forests in line with their Agreement points to an even more urgent need for the community to work together and help hold them to account. People need to see meaningful forests protection if the much-anticipated peace in the forests is ever going to be realised and this will be my main message to the Picnic in the Park,” siad Ms Gibson.
Event Details:
Picnic in the Park: Bringing the forests to town. Saturday 28th January 2012. Parliament Lawns Hobart. 11 am to 4 pm
(speakers at 11.30 am and discussion groups from 12.30pm)
T h e O b s e r v e r T r e e 