Wild Wielangta

Dear Friends
The new year started with Forestry Tasmania overturning a peaceful blockade that for over two years had protected rainforest, ancient eucalypts and wildlife in the beautiful Florentine valley.  Despite massive community opposition, they are bulldozing a road and logging right next to the World Heritage area in forest that is itself of World Heritage value.
Will Wielangta be next?  The temporary reprieve for coupe 19D expires when the Swift Parrot breeding season finishes, around about now.  Last year’s report on the dire plight of this delightful and critically threatened bird has produced no meaningful government response.  Promised landscape management plans are nowhere to be seen, and there is no timetable to produce them, no government funding for research, and still no up to date recovery plan.  See www.on-trial.info for the latest.
Bob Brown’s Tasmania 2, for Wielangta
Photo exhibition, Hobart, 27 February – 8 March
This second photo exhibition is to charm your eye. It is a galaxy of Tasmania’s flora, fauna and wild places, and we hope you and your friends can make it to the opening at 6pm at the Long Gallery, Salamanca Place, Hobart on 27 February, or visit the Long Gallery from Feb 28 — March 8.

The exhibition also serves the serious purpose of raising money to pay for our initially successful court challenge against logging Wielangta Forest and the habitat of its rare and endangered species. Forestry Tasmania is demanding $280,000 — I am not acceding but have no further court of appeal on the judgement.

View the images at www.greenart.com.au and you can make a purchase here as well.

We wish you a happy, hopeful and fulfilling 2009,
Bob Brown and Margaret Blakers