The draft Forest Management Plan 2024-2033 has been released and will be available for public comment until the 18th December 2022.

WAFA and our allies will be scrutinising it closely, looking to ensure that it:

• Securely and rapidly protects at least a further 400,000 ha of forests from logging and mining to ensure their genuine, long-term conservation for climate, biodiversity and future generations.

• Sets out an ambitious and achievable timeline and process for formalising the protection of the 250,000+ ha proposed for conservation under previous FMPs.

• Limits thinning to non-commercial programs and small diameter trees only, in sites such as mine-site rehabilitation and immature regrowth and only where scientific evidence shows it is likely to improve the ecological health of the forests.

• Provides for co-vesting and co-management with Noongar / Bibbulmun people including through funding for on-ground work and Noongar led programs.

• Makes biodiversity the number one consideration in fire management.

This is a once in a generation opportunity to protect a significant portion of the South West forests from threats and secure a future that formally and meaningfully recognises their immense value for biodiversity, climate, culture and communities.

This is our best chance yet to secure a forest protection plan for WA, and we’re going to need all hands on deck. We’ll be providing a scorecard and summary of the draft FMP within the next week, along with a guide to make it easy for supporters to have their say.

In the meantime, keep in touch by signing up and following our social platforms.

You can view the draft FMP 2024-2033 here.

Cover image courtesy of Kim Redman

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