About
The ObserverTree is a platform situated 60m above the ground in an old-growth Eucalyptus tree, in the heart of Tasmania’s southern forests. On the 14th of December 2011 conservationist Miranda Gibson climbed a rope to the top of the tree and vowed to stay untill the forest is protected. Miranda’s upper canopy home is a tree under imminent threat, in a forest due to be logged any day now.
The tree top platform is fully equipped with the technology to communicate to the world. This website features Miranda’s daily blog about life in a tree sit, commentary on the state of the forest negotiations, updates on flora and fauna monitoring and video footage from the tree sit. Watch this space for celebrity and guest blog appearances too!
If logging commences Miranda will also, sadly, document the destruction of the forest around her, streaming these images out to the world. The traumatic process of forest destruction that occurs every day in Tasmania is generally hidden from public view. Now these archaic practises will be fully exposed, allowing the global community to see for themselves what is really going on in our forests.
Why?
This area of forest is in an area earmarked as one of Tasmania’s future forest reserves. It was promised protection by the State and Federal governments. Yet, if the logging industry has its way, it is going to be logged this summer! What is really going on in Tasmania’s forests?
A brief history of the Tasmanian Forest Negotiations:
2011 could have been a year of celebration for Tasmania’s wild forest. In October 2010, A statement of principles signed by Environmental NGO’s, industry groups and Unions paved the way for comprehensive forest protection and a restructuring of the logging industry. But, more than a year later, not one tree has been saved, more cash has been delivered to the timber industry and destructive logging continues in some of our island’s most sensitive and iconic forest areas. So what went wrong?
A series of broken promises, industry pressure and Government backpeddling have jeapordised the progress of this historic agreement.
First, in December 2010, the Tasmanian Government failed to implement a promised moratorium on the logging of 572,000 hectares of high conservation value forest. Forestry Tasmania, the State-owned forest management agency, flaunted this failure of leadership by pushing ahead with roading and logging in some of Tasmania’s most contentious forest areas.
In August 2011, the Tasmanian and Federal Governments signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) that promised immediate protection for 430,000 hectares of high conservation forest. The IGA stipulated that the Tasmanian Government would ‘ensure that the 430,000 hectares of State Forest identified … is not accessed [for logging]‘ and that the Commonwealth would compensate any contract holder affected by the protection of these areas.
But the agreement also required that hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of sawlogs and veneer peeler logs must continue to be supplied to the industry. Malaysian logging company Ta Ann Holdings has been promised an ongoing supply of over 265,000 cubic metres of timber per year from Tasmania’s forests. Forestry Tasmania argued that they could not supply this timber without continuing to log within the 430,00 hectares. In another backflip, the Tasmanian and Commonwealth Governments have turned a blind eye to the ongoing logging of pristine forests within an area they earmarked for immediate protection.
As 2011 draws to a close, Tasmanians are suffering the loss of hundreds of hectares of native forest that should have been saved from logging. Activists have occupied forests on the flanks of Mt Mueller to document this destruction. Prime Minister Julia Gillard must keep her word before the trail of broken promises undermines this crucial opportunity to protect Tasmania’s forests.
A brief introduction to WHO is responsible for Tasmanian forest destruction
Ta Ann Tasmania’s wood requirements are driving the continued destruction of vital high conservation value forests. The supply of peeler billets to Ta Ann Tasmania is the major factor stopping forest protection, according to the official reports on the failure to reschedule logging operations. Forestry Tasmania is targeting areas rich in this wood supply, which equates to preferentially targeting high conservation value forests. Furthermore Ta Ann Tasmania received wood from areas containing old growth forest, as defined by the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA), on at least 35 occasions throughout 2009-2011.
The wood used by Ta Ann cannot be described as eco-friendly in any way.
Ta Ann has failed to ensure that their contract be supplied from outside the crucial forest areas, including such iconic areas as the Weld, Styx and Upper Florentine Valleys. Instead the source of their wood has been extensively misrepresented. Ta Ann’s wood supply has laughably been described as a plantation-based supply.
In Tasmania, where Ta Ann is at least forced to admit that their wood supply comes from native forests, they continue a misinformation campaign focused on the fact that they process wood of small dimensions. This material has often originated from high conservation value forests, which were destroyed to fulfill Ta Ann’s requirements, but they imply that the forests were all regrowth and of no conservation value when this is not the case.
Ta Ann has misled its customers in Japan and Europe by falsely promoting some of its Tasmanian products as ‘environmentally friendly’ plywood. Ta Ann, their partner SMKC, and their Japanese customers claim that these ‘eco-products’ are sourced from plantations and forests that have been replanted after logging. However, the reality is that Ta Ann is processing and selling timber products that are sourced from the logging of old growth forests, high conservation value forests, and forest with recognised World Heritage values in Tasmania.
(This information courtesy of taann.net)
Where?
Mount Mueller is a spectacular mountain located near the Styx Valley, Southwest Tasmania. The Weld, Styx and Florentine rivers all flow from this iconic mountain. While the mountain top is protected in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, the pristine ancient forests at its base remain under threat from industrial scale logging. The Tree Top Watch Spot lies in the heart of these forests.
This area of forest is known to Forestry Tasmania as “TN044B.” We have affectionately named it “Julia’s Forest.” Named after Prime Minister Julia Gillard. She is, after all, responsible for the life of this forest. On the day she signed the Intergovernmental Agreement, making a promise to protect this forests, she became it’s guardian. Julia will be accountable for every tree that falls in this forest.
Julia’s Forest is a prime example of Tasmania’s spectacular and unique forests. The ridges are lined with giant Eucalpyts, the tallest flowering plant on earth. Steep fern gullies are bursting with tree ferns, sasafrass, leatherwood and other Tasmanian rainforest tree species. Unique and threatened wildlife have been found in Julia’s Forest, including Tasmanian Devils, Spotted Tailed Quolls and the unique Tasmanian White Goshawks. The waterways in this forest are also home to a rare and threatened Hyrdrobiid snail.
The terrain is so steep in this forest that the loggers need to use specialised cable logging machinery. This is despite the historical land-slips that have occurred in the area. This type of logging causes irreparable damage to the soil and waterways.
Who?
Miranda Gibson
Miranda Gibson is one of Tasmania’s most committed front-line forest campaigners. She has been a core member of the grassroots environment group Still Wild Still Threatened for over five years, living high in the trees at Camp Floz, a blockade in the Upper Florentine Valley. Miranda has been the media spokesperson for Still Wild Still Threatened for the past year and half.
Miranda is a qualified high school teacher, specialising in Study of Society and Environment and English. She has put her career on hold to dedicate herself to the campaign to protect Tasmania’s forests.
Miranda was one of 13 forest campaigners who were targeted by woodchipping giant Gunns Ltd when the company attempted to sue these activists for the protesting at a woodchipping facility. The case was eventually dropped after about two years.
In 2008 Miranda was one of two activists assaulted by logging contractors in a vicious attack that was caught on film and made international headlines.
Undeterred, Miranda has worked with other Still Wild Still Threatened campaigners to monitor wildlife in Tasmania’s threatened forests using remote-sensor cameras. Their work has documented the presence of threatened species including Tasmanian Devils and Spotted Tailed quolls inside areas scheduled for logging.
In 2008, Miranda also co-authored a guide to the “Flora and Fauna of the Upper Florentine Valley”, the sales of which have helped raised money for the forest campaign.
Miranda is passionate about giving young people the opportunity to learn about and learn from the wonders of the natural world. She is an inspiring example of an individual willing to take a stand to ensure that future generations can experience and enjoy our precious natural heritage.
Email: observertree2011@gmail.com
Still Wild Still Threatened
The Observer Tree is a project by Still Wild Still Threatened, a grassroots environment group based in Tasmania. SWST advocates for the immediate formal protection of Tasmania’s precious Southern Forests using a combination of political and corporate lobbying, community education, research, exploration and frontline direct action. We also promote the creation of an equitable and environmentally sustainable forest industry in Tasmania. Apart from supporting The Observer Tree we also run Tasmania’s longest running forest blockade Camp Florentine. And are involved in peaceful community action to highlight the values of Tasmania’s forests and advocate for their protection.
www.stillwildstillthreatened.org or contact us: stillwildstillthreatened@gmail.com
Hi Miranda, this is a really interesting story and I will be following you daily. I hope you get to enjoy your time amongst the treetops despite the chainsaws.
Heidi
Hi Mirinda and SWST Crew- greetings and big respect for the ongoing fight against logging. Since I left Tassie in March this year I did had hope when I read the news- but unfortunatly the politician play a dirty game for short time profits… Without activists like YOU the world would be already without trees! Please keep empowered in all this hard time. The end off logging prestine forest is near by! Falk – back home in Germany
Hi Miranda This is criminal by the politicans press on Miranda YOU will get there with you all the way
Brushing your hair is not the only thing that makes you a truly inspirational eco warrior. Thank you for what’s you’re doing for Tasmania’s beauty and health.
Hi up there! Leaks hope you found a solution, if not try this:
Ingredients; cheap tube of silicon, roughly inch square battens of wood or poly pipe, long enough to lay along all gutters.
Method; silicon battens to the sit’s floor, INSIDE the gutter and tarps. Any leaks should then be directed to the edges. Nice and flexible, will move with the sit!
Say hi to the Currawongs!
Well done! I hope you manage to stop the logging of this coupe. I was in the Florentine Valley 4 years ago and couldn’t believe that felling of 80m trees still goes on.
These ancient and magnificent tall trees are the heritage of all humankind.
How dare they be logged for private profit!
The logging of old growth native forest in Tasmania is a source of shame for successive State and Federal governments in Australia. when will they finally see the light?
Hi Miranda,
Thank you so much for acting on behalf of the many people who are deeply concerned and aghast at the continued destruction of Tassie’s forests. I hope that you have a peaceful Christmas and that 2012 brings a final victory for our forests. Thanks again for your passion and dedication.
I passed Mount Wedge yesterday the 22nd December. Much more devastation has happened on its lower part in the last 6 months. It can be seen from far away. I truly despair of Tasmania’s politicians and especially Forestry Tasmania. I worked on the Franklin Campaign. We won after much effort. How can we just watch this awful destruction of Wedge continue?
Happy christmas or other non specific celebratory wishes to you miranda .wish i could be doing exactly what u r .Thank you so much.
Hi there Miranda, Wow you’re amazing for what you are doing, and at christmas! I saw the santa video, it was pretty funny and i’m glad you got some pudding!
Well i wish you all the luck in the world up there, hope the weather is good for you and i especially hope you don’t see any falling trees from where you are. Will send Julia an email to let her know what i think, and thank you so much for your dedication to such a worthy cause.
Merry X-mas to you Miranda. That your wish will come true soon – even if Santa Claus have not delivered it.
Thankyou Miranda.
HI Miranda and the SWST crew and HUON crew. Thank you so much for your determined focus on protecting our beautiful old growth forests. It is so baffling that they are still being logged for profit. You guys really are an inspiration, your work has opened my eyes to issues that i would never have been normally exposed to! Thank you!
Your service is deeply appreciated. Thankyou.X
Thankyou Miranda for bringing Australias attention to this horrible destruction. You rock! Every bit counts and often direct action counts the most. Wish I could come and join you.
thanks miranda for putting yourself at the frontline, logging these areas is a national disgrace and deserves to have the spotlights of the world placed on it
G’day Miranda,
I heard the interview with you on MegaherZzZ this morning which brought me here. Bravo to you and your supporters for acting against this depredation. I wish you all the best.
Andrew R Hyde.
Hi Miranda
Bob spoke in support of you today. He wanted to make sure you had a link to listen, so that you know you are embraced by wellwishers as well as your majestic tree: http://bob-brown.greensmps.org.au/content/greencast/senator-bob-brown-press-conference-pm-reneges-forests-greens-pokies-option-16-janu
All the best,
Marion
Thank you Miranda, from Santa Cruz California where I wage the daily fight to save our big old trees. How inspiring you are! Keep heart through the tough times.
Warm thoughts,
Gillian
Hi Miranda,
I put up a couple of posters in my area.
Nest wishes,
Mark
Hi Miranda,
I don’t think that your cause is getting the right publicity or enough of it. I was just led around the garden path by the ABC trying to find out more about the story. Why don’t you try other medias’, even the rubbish media, anything that might help.
Cheers and best of luck, your braver than me!
Jennifer
I have also not heard anything in the media on the mainland about this. Your activities may be publicised in Tas but are not getting the coverage they should. Fantastic effort on behalf of all true conservationists. We are all very thankful.
It is so depressing in Victoria, at least there seems to be a little bit of hope in Tassie, but it seems rather fragile. There is no hope in Vict, only from legal challenges.
Miranda, you are a legend. I reckon you are on a winner, with recent events such as the difficulty of selling wood chip, the Ta Ann Holdings loss of contract and the national protest. Your action is a brilliant peaceful protest. PS I stayed at your Mum and dad’s with my wife on Sunday eve. It was great.
Trev
Hi Miranda – Keep up the good work. The editors at Earth Tribe, an environmental activist site, have just put up a news story about you, and a banner.
Good luck!
Hi Miranda,
I know you’re busy protecting your forest. But if you have a little time, could you look into this online petition to save a majestic silk-cotton tree in the island of Tobago? The government claims it’s undermining the road next to it, and instead of looking for options regarding the road itself, there’s been talk of destroying this jewel of nature, which is older than all of us. We need all the help we can get because Tobago is a small island and they’re asking for 56.000 signatures (that’s more than the entire population!!). Please, if you have a minute, go to https://www.change.org/petitions/tobago-house-of-assembly-reconsider-any-plans-to-destroy-the-runnemede-silk-cotton-tree. And, if you have 5, please share the link with anyone you think might want to help! THANK YOU!
Bloody love your work Miranda,
Thank you so much for doing what you know is so important.
Big love
Ben , WA
Hi Miranda,
85 days in a magnificent tree is pretty amazing. Your efforts are appreciated more than the internet would have you realize !! Keep up the good work and the tree !
When logging these areas ceases, we will all be rewarded.
Jarrah
Gostei vou por em favoritos, muito bom seus conteúdos.
Hi Miranda. What you are doing is fantastic and courageous and I thank you for it
hey mirada greetings from the west ‘weve had an ongoing litany of lies over here in regards to our forests they weresupposed to restructure ten years ago they protected some old growth forests but have continued burning woodchipping and now they want to do another rfa just a rorte’ anyway we continue to document the destruction but they now take enviromental activists cameras away ‘good luck to u love and peace to you miranda i say bravo
hi miranda,
warm support from santa cruz, california, usa. where i also fight the good fight to save old trees.
just lost a battle today to save five old blue gums from PG&E ( Pacific Gas & Electric). Co.
your brave stand is ongoing inspiration. thank you so much.
get the message out as far as possible.
Hi Miranda, Congratulations on your campaign, Bob Brown has just put your campaign into the national news hopefully this will help us get some action stopping these destructive beasts. Robyn Wakefield
You are an inspiration. Well done so far, and well done for the future! Even though I don’t know you, I am proud of you for taking a stand for the forests.
Hi Miranda, Thankyou for all that you are doing for the beautiful forest in my favourite state, the forest is unable to defend it self and needs people like you (and all the environmentally aware people, here’s hoping more come on board), so again thankyou for all your work. Barbara in Sydney (where my work is) .
I can’t believe that there are still old growth forests in Australia being logged. This is very sad. We have no right to destroy the planet just because we can. It is unethical.
I’m sick to death of the corrupt incompetent government of this state. Politicians up to their snouts in the Gunns money trough. The morons on both sides of politics in Tasmania are equally stupid, stuck on the idea that you have to dig it up, chop it down or shoot it to make a buck. I refuse to vote on principle and long for the day when enough people stand up like Miranda and say “we’re watching”. I am and I’ve been blasting away at any company even remotely likely to support the likes of Gunns. Idot politicians take note: YOU HAVE NO SOCIAL LICENSE and nobody believes a bloody thing you say.
Hi, Miranda, how is everything up there? I am a journalist based in Sydney, and I am quite interested in interviewing you through SKYPE at your earliest convenience concerning your noble course of protecting the froest in Tasmania. Please notify me if we could arrange the interview ASAP. Please take care. (I’ve already sent you an email, still waiting for your reply.)
first visit. Love your site, and your sight. Love your vision. Thank you – let us try to find a way to gove back to Her, more than we take.
We just talked to Warren and Margot about their visit to you today and we are totally in awe of what you are doing. Its a huge achievement! You are up there, bearing witness for all of us who deplore what is being done to our amazing natural heritage and we totally support what you are doing. All power to you and your team!
Cheers
Chris & Ebi
Hi Miranda,
Michelle from Penguin here. I only discovered your blog a couple of days ago. I think about you all the time now and want to thank you an behalf of all Tasmanians and Australians for having such amazing courage and passion to protect our wonderful forests. I will send positive thoughts out for you every day. What you have already acheived on a human level gives me inspiration. I loved the video “Conversations with Amanda” that you did with Lily. I think it is a fantastic idea; interesting and very entertaining with a wonderful backdrop.
If there is any thing I could do that you feel would be useful please reply.
Take Care of yourself,
Misha
Keep up the great work Miranda
i keep thinkin of that giant tree in avatar…& hopin u got wilderness wear merino base layer thermals on…& their thick socks….& my mind starting to race thinkin of all the heatin options available…those heat packs u press to activate & stay warm for hours…then u boil them to recharge & use over & over….a bloody huge bag of them ready to activate……i’m an old swaggy from way back so know u’ll be fine in your swag with a right sleepin bag…dunno if a canvas tarp shelter is possible to get up there….u might be alone up there love, but not in spirit…bet even the forest loves ya….must be so many people thinkin about u all the time…i am so pissed with the main stream media…i’ve seen nothing of u at all…in fact if it wasnt for bob browns facebook page i still wouldnt know….anyway your a bloody legend in my mind…a true EARTH person fed on pure sweet air…i remember my time in the old growth forest down in east gippsland. Errinundra…the glow in the dark mushies & the sugar gliders…that water in the stream & the AIR….OMG that AIR…when i got back i felt 10 years younger…i’m sure it was the air…real air for the first time in my life…so i reckon when u get through this u’ll be as fit as a scrub bull:)…sure blessed to be in that wonderful place…honourable cause too…..GB Miranda.
Hi Miranda,
You’re an amazing inspiration. Just Wow! I’m going to find out how to nominate you for
Australian of the Year.
Warm Regards, Mario.