Friday 23rd January 2009

Community Forest Action -

Service for the Florentine, Mourning the loss of Tasmania's  forests

 

What: Creation of a graveyard, symbolising Forestry Tasmania's plans for the Upper Florentine

Where:Parliament Lawns

When: 12noon.

Who: Independent community members

Photo opportunity: mourners, dressed in black, will each inscribe a headstone and position it on Parliament Lawns to make a graveyard to symbolize a dying forest.

 

 

" Forestry Tasmania claim that their planned operations in the Upper Florentine are necessary as the ancient trees in the forest are dying," spokesperson Natalie Keene  said.

 

" The ancient, dynamic ecosystems of the Upper Florentine have existed sustainably for millenia without the help of the forestry industry.  Forestry Tasmania should be asking their employers, the people of Tasmania, whether it is appropriate or desirable for them to be destroying our natural heritage using ideologically driven and scientifically dubious techniques," Natalie Keene said.

 

" Forestry Tasmania and the state government are planning the destruction of the Upper Florentine, and other iconic areas such as the Weld and Styx Valleys. Many Tasmanians have mourned the loss of irreplaceable parts of our natural heritage. The actions of those here today, and of those thousands of Tasmanians  who stand up for their forests sends, a clear signal to the state government - enough is enough. It is time for change," Natalie Keene said.