Fwd: Owls, Possums and Deputy Premiers

[Rosemary Blemings <>]

Would COG members please add their signatures to these petitions?

Rosemary

il

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Amelia, the Wilderness Society <>
Date: Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 7:33 PM
Subject: Owls, Possums and Deputy Premiers

Dear Sybil,   Fighting Power for East Gippsland's Owls Last year, Environment East Gippsland (EEG) lodged legal proceedings to challenge the state government’s refusal to review owl protection zones following the 2014 bushfires. During summer 2014, bushfires destroyed thousands of hectares of critically important habitat for East Gippsland’s threatened wildlife. This region is the stronghold for large forest owls. To date, the state government has refused to conduct the urgently needed, and legally required, review of the protection measures for them. The numbers of Sooty, Powerful and Masked Owls are declining due to a loss of prime habitat for them to nest and breed in. Right now, logging coupes are scheduled in forest areas known to be habitat to these owls, including Kuark Forest. Thanks to citizen science and survey work identifying the presence of threatened species of large forest owls, there are now over 80 proposed logging areas where owls have been identified that will remain unlogged until the matter is settled. We understand that mediation between EEG and the State Government should take place in late May. If this fails to reach a suitable agreement then the matter will go to the Supreme Court. To show your support for the protection of owl habitat and the forests of East Gippsland, click here.   Taking the #GFNP Straight to the Top On Tuesday March 5th, Wilderness Society campaigners and supporters joined members of the Healesville, Toolangi and Warburton communities at Deputy Premier James Merlino’s electorate office in Belgrave. The communities delivered messages to Mr. Merlino’s staff expressing their concerns about logging in the precious forests around their towns. Unfortunately, ongoing logging in special forests  is pre-empting the outcome of the Government’s proposed ‘Forest Taskforce’. All of the messages delivered for the Deputy Premier called for immediate, interim protection for special forests. Polling before the state election showed over 70% of voters in Monbulk - Mr. Merlino’s electorate - support the creation of the Great Forest National Park. Prior to visiting Mr Merlino’s office, campaigners and volunteers handed out information about the Great Forest National Park to people on the main street of Belgrave. If you would like to help raise awareness of the Great Forest National Park and help protect Victoria’s special forests, please click here.   Have You Heard About the Forest Fairies? This week is Fairy (Leadbeater's) Possum Awareness Week! On the evening of April 3rd 1961, botanist Eric Wilkinson, along with two colleagues, sighted a Fairy Possum just outside Cambarville, near Marysville. At that time, it had been assumed that the species had become extinct following the devastating Ash Wednesday fires 22 years earlier. In recognition of this miraculous re-discovery, in 1971, the Fairy Possum was made the faunal emblem for the State of Victoria. Sadly, despite this incredible story and the esteem in which the Fairy Possum is held, continued logging in its habitat is driving it ever closer to extinction. All is not lost though; with fast action the forests the Fairy Possum lives in can be protected and saved through the creation of the Great Forest National Park. To help protect the Fairy Possum, why not adopt a furry new member for your family? To learn more and Adopt a Forest Fairy, click here.
Authorised by Charlotte Richardson © 2015 The Wilderness Society Sydney Inc. Suite 201, 46 Kippax St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia. Web: www.wilderness.org.au | ABN: 76 766 573 156 Update your info     Change email subscription     Unsubscribe