Dear NRPG members and interested,

For your information.

Kind regards,

Steve Gates

President. NRPG Bushcarers

Latest forest updates from WAFA

Dear Steve Welcome to the November edition of Forest Matters, Last month’s newsletter started with research that shows a huge majority of Western Australians want stronger nature laws, so it is disappointing, to say the least, that since then WA Premier Cook has claimed responsibility for Prime Minister Albanese’s eleventh-hour decision to abandon federal nature positive legislation. Cook is acting as if he is beholden to the mining and resources industry, not the WA public. With both a state and federal election in the next 6 months, it is a critical time to get active and let both governments hear your calls for stronger nature laws and the protection of forests, woodlands and the climate from mining and inappropriate management practices. Please make sure you send emails, sign petitions, attend rallies and actions and call and meet with your MP.  The team is around for a couple more weeks before taking some time off over the holiday period. We will be back re-energised and driven as always to protect WA’s native forests and woodlands in the new year.  Jess Boyce Director  Call for federal assessment of Alcoa  While Alcoa’s expansion plans are under assessment, the bauxite miner is also threatening to clear 1,800ha of native vegetation in the Northern Jarrah forests at O’Neil – part of their Huntly operations between Jarrahdale and Dwellingup. To protect these precious forests, we must all call for the O’Neil plans to be assessed as a ‘controlled action’. The public comment period is only open on the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act Public Portal until Monday December 9. Lodging your call for a ‘controlled action’ is an important step and easy to do with our brief guide. So please join in calling for the federal assessment of Alcoa’s O’Neil plans that’s needed to protect the forests now.   Using the guide, make your comment at the EPBC Act Public Portal here.  Reject South32  The loss of 3,855ha of the Northern Jarrah Forests to South32’s bauxite mining expansion would be a devastating blow to threatened wildlife, endangered plants such as the Quindanning Spider Orchid, and the survival of the remaining Northern Jarrah ecosystem. Environment Minister Whitby’s decision on whether the expansion is approved, and if so under what conditions is imminent. He must be left in no doubt Australians oppose South32’s proposal and want it rejected now. Send him the message with our instant email to speak up for forests, cultural heritage, wildlife, and water that are too precious to lose.      Jarrah forests can’t be rehabilitated  Have you seen our latest fact sheet on the failures of bauxite mine rehabilitation in Jarrah forests? You can read it here. Both Alcoa and South32 have built their Western Australian operations on the myth of rehabilitating the Jarrah forests they destroy for bauxite. With that myth shattered beyond doubt by multiple independent studies, and the truth exposed that restoration of these forests after bauxite extraction is in fact impossible, there’s no excuse for the government allowing this irreversible forest destruction to continue. Email Government decision-makers and let them know that Western Australians want an end to the irreversible damage from mining forests for bauxite.    Chance to change burning  After a last-minute extension, WAFA’s e-petition to Parliament on prescribed burning is closing on December 17. Every year we lose more wildlife, critical habitat, and essential biodiversity due to the current Southwest prescribed burning program. Meanwhile, the WA Government lags behind in adopting more rapid suppression technology, up-to-date research, and best-practice management to safeguard communities from bushfires. This ABC article explains newly-published evidence that prescribed burning is making subsequent bushfires catastrophically more damaging.Sign the petition now to call for changes to prescribed burning before the chance closes.   Nannas against forest burning  Margaret River Nannas for Native Forests are inviting everyone to join in united objection to current prescribed burning practices on Saturday December 7 at Shambala Nature Retreat in Osmington. After this year’s record drought impact and destruction caused by recent prescribed burns across the Southwest, the Nannas are taking action. Join them to raise awareness and protect forests that the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) plan to torch, including within the Leeuwin National Park. Bring morning tea to share, a chair/picnic blanket, and any signs you have to show support for changes to prescribed burning. When: 10am, Saturday, 7 December Where: The Meeting House, Shambala Nature Retreat, 24 Hobson Rd, Osmington (near Margaret River)   Tingle forest threatened  Long unburnt, ancient Tingle forests are under imminent threat of prescribed burning by DBCA at Nornalup, after adjacent blocks at Blue Holes were recently incinerated. Tingle trees cannot tolerate frequent fire, with regular flames hollowing out the trunk, eventually causing collapse.  These old growth, long unburnt forests have a lower wildfire risk and support a rich ecological community that vulnerable quokkas and endangered black cockatoos depend on for survival. The Nornalup Inlet acts as a natural fire break but wildlife will struggle to escape if this prescribed burn proceeds. Call for Nornalup’s Tingle forests to be immediately removed from DBCA’s burn program before they’re completely destroyed, by emailing the Premier and Environment Minister today.   Tax-deductible donations WAFA has just been granted tax-deductible status meaning you can now claim your donations at tax time. Providing financial support to power the dedicated protection of the Southwest’s extraordinary forest ecosystems is now easier than ever, and ensures WAFA can remain independent and effective. Both one-off and ongoing donations are helping us keep forests and woodlands standing for wildlife, climate, and communities.     Shop  Artwork by Alice Ford, photo by Duncan Wright. For forest-friendly gifts this holiday season consider stunning original artwork by Alice Ford created for the must-have Forests Atlas. Both are available in our online store along with a range of ethically-made merchandise that supports the fight for forests. T-shirts, stickers, tote bags, books, dvds, and more are on offer, but get in quick. The cutoff date to ensure your order arrives in time for Christmas is December 12.     From our members Join The Wilderness Society for a snap action this Friday. Gather outside Environment Minister Reece Whitby’s office to demand strong nature laws. 10am, December 13 at Shop 4, Baldivis Square, 61 Makybe Drive, Baldivis. RSVP here.The Conservation Council WA is hosting Beats and Ballots, an end-of-year reflection on the wins and the challenges and opportunity to set our sights on the future as we gear up for the upcoming elections. Thursday 19 December 5:30pm – 7:30pm at Perth City Farm, East Perth. RSVP here.   Are you one of WAFA’s member groups? If you would like a brief note of your group’s event, activity, or call for submissions included in this section of the Forest Matters newsletter, please send to [email protected] Not a member group? Find out more about the alliance here.   We acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional owners of the southwest forests across the Noongar/Bibbulmun nation. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land. wafa.org.au Stay connected with us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin. We rely on private regular donations to be independent and effective. Donate to WA’s Forest Protection Team today.

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