By JESSE GRAHAM
MOMENTUM continued to build for a new national park in Toolangi last week, following a speech to environmental and anti-logging groups in Healesville.
Wilderness Society Victorian campaigns manager Amelia Young spoke to members of Healesville Environment Watch Incorporated (HEWI), the Knitting Nannas of Toolangi (KNOT), My Environment, Mt Toolbewong Landcare Group, Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum and other groups on Thursday 14 November.
Speaking before the HEWI and Mt Toolbewong Landcare Group annual general meetings, Ms Young drove home the importance of developing a new national park in the Central Highlands forests.
Drawing a parallel between the current push for a national park in the Central Highlands and the campaign for the Great Otway National Park to be established, Ms Young offered advice for groups to help reinforce their cause.
Consumer awareness, with the example of ethical and recycled paper choices, along with becoming familiar with established environmental science and writing to local media were some of the important aspects that Ms Young discussed to the crowd.
She said that political engagement and watching developments to legislations regarding forests was critical to the conservation cause.
The proposal for a new national park was put forward by the world’s leading authority on the Leadbeater’s Possum, Australian National University Professor David Lindenmayer.
Prof Lindenmayer spoke at Healesville’s Memo Hall earlier this year about the importance of ending clear-fell logging to protect the habitat of the Leadbeater’s possum and other animals, along with the benefits to the climate, carbon and water storage.
The future of the Leadbeater’s possum is currently being discussed by an advisory group, which features representatives from Zoos Victoria (Healesville Sanctuary), the Victorian Association of Forests and Industry and key stakeholders.
Do you think a new national park in the Central Highlands forests and an end to clear-fell logging would be a good idea for the future of the Leadbeater’s possum and the environment?
Do you disagree with the idea?
The Opinion pages of The Mail are open – write a letter to PO Box 470, Healesville, Victoria, 3777, with your name, suburb and a contact number.
