Big day for the Arve valley!

The Greens and Huon Valley Environment Centre are holding a press conference today regarding recent forestry activities in the Arve Valley, west of Geeveston. This area contains numerous giant trees and rare ecological communities, with the headwaters of the Arve River in the Hartz National Park. Areas of the Arve are protected in the National Park and the Arve Loop Reserve, but there exists large areas of unprotected old growth forest along their boundaries, and remnant praches throughout the valley.

These ancient forests are currently threatened by forestry activity, with several coupes currently being destroyed. Forestry Tasmania recently admitted to logging inside the Arve Loop reserve.How can the integrity of reserves be maintained if these areas are destroted?

Zero Emission Conference - The Zero Emission Network(ZEN) is holding their inaugral climate change conference in melbourne, with HVEC sending several representatives. ZEN aims to assist communities members in working for a zero emissions future in their local communities. Forestry is a huge part of Tasmania's greenhouse emissions, and we aim to highlight the protection of old growth forests as being a key step to addressing Tassies climate responsibilities.

HVEC is also committed to the broader aim of greenhouse gas reduction, and welcomes any community members who would like to engage in any facet of the climate issue.

take care,
Wazza

Wedge/Warra Action Updates

Two actions in the last three weeks:

12/06/07, Warra Rd, South Weld - 15 crew erected a roadblocking tree sit 4 kms beyond locked gates on an access rd to giant cable logged old growth clearfell WR12C, holding up work/log truck traffic for most of the day.Sitter cabled off and allowed to leave by police mid-afternoon.

22-23/06/07,The Wedge Forest, adjacent to Lake Gordon - 15 crew , sit /lock-on atop cable logger(never been done in oz??????) with sit hung off a machine in log dump. Set up lasts almost two days. Contractors fell tree across back access track, denying liberty of activists, police refuse to help despite activists having no access to food or water. Sitter arrested and refused bail(for a first offence!) on the basis he is an international who has come to tasmania to defend it's ancient forests. People don't realise when they need the help!

BIG NEWS - World Heritage Committee meeting in NZ passes resolution to send scientific team to Tasmania to examine negative impacts of forestry of World Heritage Area integrity. This is big news, very rarely does the WHC send teams to developed countires. Last time in Australia was for Kakadu/Jabiluka. Will the industry label the World Heritage Committee extremists now that it is recognising the same threats we have been highlighting for years?

This is a result of campaigning by TWS, Huon Valley Environment Centre, Christine Milne, and numerous other parties over the course of may years.Check huon.org to download a copy of the TWS/HVEC report that was presented to the WHC.

Field Survey Weekend - Weekend 7/8th July. Anyone who is interested in coming to the Weld to conduct field survey's in areas such as fresh water invertebrate,big tree hunting,karst/geo-conservation, or anything you are interested in.

Styx Benefit Gig - Style it for the Styx,this saturday, the Loft, Hobart, 7;30. All funds raised go to campaigning to stop the continued destruction of the Valley Of the Giants.

Students of Sustainability - Tassie activists will again be presenting the latest films and information from Southern Tasmania at the annual student enviro conference, held this year in Perth, from the 9-15th of July.

Take care all,

Wazza