The WA Forest Alliance has been awarded the United Nations Association of Western Australia’s 2022 Environment Award at the UN Day Gala in Perth.
It was such an honour to receive this major award, and we’re deeply grateful to the UNAAWA and to the other finalists and award winners for the incredible work being done on human rights, gender equality, the environment and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
WAFA’s campaign to end native forest logging and protect over 400,000 ha of forests has involved decades of effort from the whole WAFA community. Being acknowledged in this international context is testament to the global significance of the South West’s forests, the success of WAFA’s community based and collaborative leadership style against the odds, and WA’s major breakthrough to acknowledge the forest’s profound intrinsic values.
When native forest logging finally ends, we will have prevented 6500ha of ancient, biodiverse, wildlife rich forest being logged every year. We will have kept more than 60 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere over the next decade, and protected over 400,000ha of forests for climate, biodiversity and the future.
This award is for everyone who has participated in the efforts to protect and defend the forests – WAFA is an incredible community and none of the outcomes for the forests would be possible without the work done by such a diverse and passionate group of so many people. We hope that everyone who has written letters, attended events, contacted their MPs, posted on socials, painted banners, developed strategy, donated to keep the wheels turning and every other thing that has made this possible is celebrating this win and feeling inspired by what’s achievable when people come together.
Let’s celebrate this monumental achievement, and then turn our attention to ensuring the next 10-yr Forest Management Plan securely and meaningfully protects the South West’s forests.
Head to End Native Forest Logging to read more about our current campaign, and subscribe to our newsletter to find out what you can do to help!
