Byron Bay and Mullumbimby locals Emma Briggs and Bassi Brown locked onto machinery at Ewingar State Forest, in the Upper Clarence area, yesterday as they called for an end to native forest logging.
They attached themselves to the machinery in the early hours of the morning to prevent native forest destruction in Ewingar State Forest on Bundjalung country.
Ewingar State Forest is located in the Upper Clarence area and the logged compartments are important fauna habitat sites close to the Clarence River, many with rainforest remnants, steep slopes and erodible soils. It acts as a biodiverse nature corridor to Washpool National Park.
March For Forests
Yesterday was the International Day of Forests, and communities around the country supported the Bob Brown Foundation’s call to end native forest logging once and for all. Victoria and WA ended native forest logging on 1 January 2024. Concerned citizens in Tasmania, Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Canberra are marching and protesting throughout this week, as both major parties plan to expand logging activities.
Lismore protest Sunday
This action highlights the call to end native forest logging in NSW in the lead up to Sunday’s March for Forests in Lismore on Sunday 24 March at 10am on Victoria Street, Lismore.
‘We have made international commitments to protect our forests for the sake of life on Earth, both now and into the future. Logging in state forests is not compatible with these commitments,’ said Ms Briggs.
‘Not only does destroying native forests threaten our struggling wildlife, it smashes any hope of survival in a safe climate future. Every tree is a vital carbon sink, and it breaks my heart to see the devastation and waste left behind by the operations of Forestry New South Wales.’
Ms Briggs, 54, works part-time in the tourism sector and is convenor of the Byron Environment Centre (BEC). Recently she has also been involved in helping establish a new climate justice alliance in the local area.
‘I’m just here for the forests,’ explained Bassi.
Casino action
Forest protectors are also assembling in Braemar State Forest south of Casino, to expose the widespread damage being done to koala habitat, water catchments and carbon sinks by logging in our public native forests. Spokesperson Scott Sledge said.
Forest protectors are also assembling in Braemar State Forest south of Casino, to expose the widespread damage being done to koala habitat, water catchments and carbon sinks by logging in our public native forests.
Thank you brave Protectors.
Unbelievable that after the fires and floods, the logging goes on. Putting our forests further at risk of fires and the poor wildlife hanging on.
When will they stop this damage? When all the best habitat is gone?
Thanks Emma & Bassi for highlighting these practices & bringing attention again. I bet 100:1 serial timber industry angry man Peter Dawkins will comment here defending loggers rights to denude, destroy & vandalise while denigrating the forest defenders (& probably joined by SA, RL & B)
Thank you brave warriors. You make a difference! This logging would be considered a criminal offence sometime in the future. I’m sure! Thank you🙏
I’m so ashamed to be Australian , when it is left to these two heroes to do anything with any honour, while so many are too ignorant to understand that these fools are determined to destroy the last of our amazing and irreplaceable natural heritage.
This government pays these vandals to destroy your “commonwealth” to provide wood-chips at an economic loss and infinitely worse exterminate these natural resources and it’s biodiversity to the detriment of the Entire World , FOR EVER !
Cheers, G”)
yeah gr8. the last free place you can go camping and fossicking will become a national park.
Yep it is one of the last free camping and fossicking sites , if the keep logging it , it won’t be there to camp in . I hope they don’t lick it up too 🤫
Thanks ladies. It’s sad you’re having to do this in the first place. When will our government wake up and stop this disgraceful destruction?
Perhaps some protesters could get out of the forest and go save the carbon sinks that are the buyback houses in Lismore and surrounds. Good plan to lock up the timber in the forest while destroying timber that’s already been harvested. Chain yourselves to the buyback houses.
Thanks so much for your amazing actions. Your energy is an inspiration to all people who care about the future of this poor battered planet.
You have many millions of people around the world and our wide diversity of species behind you. We thank you for your strength and courage to stand up to the greedy destroyers of this magnificent planet.
Thus is very poignant, considering the NSW currently has the Nsw Koala strategy out for comment…asking how can we better save our koalas….# koalas need trees.