It’s been another big day in the race for species extinction, sponsored by State Forests and the Federal Government. This huge event happens simultaneously at forest locations all over the state and nation, with the rules being made up on the go. It’s been up to the crowd to challenge the umpire on countless events.
Sheas Nob
The remaining old growth forest remnants of Sheas Nob forest (around 15km past Nymboida) are magnificent - by any standards. Leaving the scientific technicalities out of it, it is enough to say that the forest is a diverse and complex mosaic of vegetation types. And it is home to a whole array of threatened species, including a high density of our extraordinary yellow bellied glider. Preciously small ancient islands of pristine habitat in a sea of otherwise devastated forests and surrounding cleared lands.
Yet still State Forests insist on trying to log and rampage even these (compounded by the devastating impacts of the newly introduced mechanical harvesters) ...
.... which is the background to the long-running campaign to help save Sheas Nob from State Forest mis-management once again. Well, last August we set up a humble forest camp just outside the 'closed compartment'. (Yes, that's right, public forests locked off to anyone interested in bearing witness to their lost or just see them again before they're gone, with fines up to $1000 for daring to defy this!)
On the Wednesday we did an action stopping a loaded log truck leaving the area by locking on under it. The action was to raise public awareness of our concerns over the loss of the old growth compartment 217, and demonstrate to State Forests how serious we were about protecting these remnants.
... well, its worked - for the time being at least - with the remnant saved from logging this time round, and some balanced media on Lismore and Coffs television and local radio stations. And it seems like the action may have helped with State Forests decision to defer some other icon forests around the region - keep an eye out for these some time after the election! So 'well done' and a huge thanks to everyone involved, or supporting, this great little action - including the Clarence Environment Centre of course!
And whilst on good news, it sounds like Goolengook old growth is finally receiving the promise of protection it rightfully deserves. Hurrah!!!!! Three cheers to the gallant and long-serving campaigners in that very tough climate, and to all those working steadily towards the future we want, everywhere.