Join us as we take to threatened forest of the North East for citizen science!
Forests in the north of the island are under threat from logging. 40,000ha have been earmarked for destruction, we're heading out to build on the ecological arguments for their protection.
This field trip we will be visiting a section of threatened forest where we will be focused on contributing species observations to the Inaturalist project 'North East Threatened Forest Reserves'
Location: The event will be taking place in a section of threatened reserved forest that is part of the proposed release of 39000ha of high conservation forest to industry. You can read more about it here.
Here is the exact location of the event: -41.25396, 147.31932
There will be some signage but please do not rely on this alone. It is recommended you have the location loaded in Google maps before your trip as phone service is not guaranteed.
Estimated travel time is 45mins from Launceston CBD
Directions from Launceston: head to Nunamara and Patersonia on the C845. Continue straight through Patersonia for appx 7km. Take the left hand turn onto Bessells Rd. The event will be taking place appx 4km along Bessells Rd.
This route contains some unsealed roads, please drive safely and according to the conditions.
iNaturalist: we will be recording our observations through the app iNaturalist. If you have an android or iphone device that supports the app you can download and sign up here. It is not essential that all attendees have this. At minimum 1 person per group has the ability to record sightings within the app.
Once signed up you can join the project here: North East Threatened Forest Reserves or search for it by name in the projects tab of the app.
Gear: Please come prepared for all weather conditions. Warm wet weather gear and enclosed supportive shoes are essential. Packed lunch and snacks also advised.
Accessibility: Attendees are advised that parts of this event will be taking place in a section of forest that does not have any formed tracks and will require stepping over logs, through vegetation and walking on uneven surfaces. The maximum distance travelled should not exceed 500m. And shorter distance options will be available according to the groups needs on the day.
Please contact Helena (Lenny) at [email protected] if any further information is required.
Background information:
Back in December 2024, we obtained documents through a ‘Right to Information’ (RTI) request by Birdlife Australia, revealing that in 2022 the Tasmanian Government and Forestry Tasmania began secretly collaborating on the transfer of reserved forests to the 'permanent timber production zone' (PTPZ).
During the 2024 State Election, this collaboration was eluded to through the Liberals promise to ‘unlock the woodbank’, and give 40,000ha of native forests to the logging industry.
These newly threatened native forests were promised protection in 2012 through the ‘Tasmanian Forest Agreement’, where the logging industry was paid hundreds of millions $$$ by the taxpayer to not log them. Yet in 2014, the newly elected Liberals rebranded these forests as ‘Future Potential Production Forest’ (FPPF).
December’s ‘Right to Information’ document revealed that Forestry Tasmania is demanding 40,000ha of forest in 27 ‘lots’. Our analysis has revealed these forests are located at Ben Lomond, Mount Arthur, Mount Barrow, Fingal Tier, Leven Canyon, Mathinna Plains, Mount Saddleback, Pyengana, Mt Victoria, Evercreech, Mount Victoria, Panama, The Towers, Carneys Creek, Shakespear Hills, and Mount Maurice. The full interactive map is available here.
In March we received another ‘Right to Information' document via the Tasmanian Greens, which showed the Government is prioritising 5 lots for immediate release at Ben Lomond, Mt Arthur, and Mt Barrow. ABC covered this at the time - you can read ABC's report here.
The Campaign and Event Information
The Wilderness Society Tasmania has been working tirelessly alongside locals and allies to reveal the locations of threatened reserves, document them for ecological and social values, and notify and activate communities to protect these forests.
After revealing the locations, we've set out on multiple scouting and surveying missions, visiting sites across the north east. We held community meetings in Blessington, St Marys, and Lilydale which were attended by hundreds of community members. Since then locals have been organising independently, getting in the forests, contacting decision makers, recording values, and escalating the case for permanent protection.
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This event will take place on the stolen lands of the Palawa/Pakana who are the rightful custodians of Lutruwita/Tasmania.