stop the chop
protect native forests
Timber production statistics show that:
1,962,080
Tonnes of firewood, woodchips, charcoal and mill-waste were produced from native forest over the past 5 years.
Approximately:
7,500 HA
of publicly owned jarrah and karri forests are logged or cleared every year.
Every day, an area the size of 10 football fields is logged or cleared in the South West of WA.
This unsustainable and destructive practice is destroying wildlife habitat; releasing huge volumes of stored carbon into the atmosphere; and further degrading the forests in this Global Biodiversity Hotspot.
Over the past 150 years, more than 90% of the forests in the South West of WA have been logged or cleared with massive impacts on wildlife, biodiversity, cultural heritage, rainfall, water, soils, climate and the overall ecological health of the region.
After native forest logging and clearing, about half of all the biomass that has been logged (ie: branches, logs and under-storey trees) is left behind and burned in the routine post-logging fire. Then, about 85% of all the wood sold becomes paper, firewood, charcoal and mill-waste.
Only 15% of the wood sold becomes actual timber for building, furniture and fine woodcraft.
Every day, an area the size of 10 football fields is logged or cleared in the South West of WA.
This unsustainable and destructive practice is destroying wildlife habitat; releasing huge volumes of stored carbon into the atmosphere; and further degrading the forests in this Global Biodiversity Hotspot.
Over the past 150 years, more than 90% of the forests in the South West of WA have been logged or cleared with massive impacts on wildlife, biodiversity, cultural heritage, rainfall, water, soils, climate and the overall ecological health of the region.
After native forest logging and clearing, about half of all the biomass that has been logged (ie: branches, logs and under-storey trees) is left behind and burned in the routine post-logging fire. Then, about 85% of all the wood sold becomes paper, firewood, charcoal and mill-waste.
Only 15% of the wood sold becomes actual timber for building, furniture and fine woodcraft.
There is a growing community demand in WA, as well as around Australia and the world, for native forest logging and clearing to stop, and for the timber industry to be transitioned to sustainable plantations and farm forestry.
Too many of the world’s forests have been lost, and all of the remaining forests are vital for the survival of wildlife; the maintenance and recovery of endemic biodiversity; water; soils; rainfall and climate.
There is a growing community demand in WA, as well as around Australia and the world, for native forest logging and clearing to stop, and for the timber industry to be transitioned to sustainable plantations and farm forestry.
Too many of the world’s forests have been lost, and all of the remaining forests are vital for the survival of wildlife; the maintenance and recovery of endemic biodiversity; water; soils; rainfall and climate.
It is time for us to complete the transition out of native forest logging and use plantations and farm forestry for our timber needs.
#Worth More Standing
What we are doing to protect native forests
For 30 years we have been prosecuting a case for the protection of native forests. We will continue to do this until the forests are protected.
WAFA has developed the Forests For Life Farm Forestry and Landcare plan to grow 40 000 ha of high value timber trees in association with cropping and grazing in the South West and Great Southern. Read more about the FFL plan here.
Our regular work includes:
- Coordinating a thriving and empowered community campaign;
- Identifying at-risk forests and developing strategies for their protection;
- Monitoring and documenting ongoing logging and clearing of native forests.
- Exposing breaches of logging guidelines and wrong-doing by native forest log processors;
- Informing decision-makers;
- Resourcing camps and leading tours;
- Supporting our groups to protect forests in their regions;
- Building community support through education and the media;
- Supporting direct action to protect native forests;
- Developing the Forests For Life plan for the transition of the timber industry and;
- Maintaining a strong online presence
#stop the chop
Join the campaign to end native forest logging
WAFA is a community with a long and proud history. WAFA is made up of over 20 member groups, hundreds of activists, conservationists and campaigners backed by thousands of advocates, followers and patrons.
We’d love to have you on board. Everything we do, and everything we achieve, is made possible because of our community team. There are a number of ways you can immediately get involved and help to make a big difference for the forests.
We are funded by people like you, who commit to regular donations. Private donations and grants allow us to stay independent and effective.
When you support us financially, you are funding a grassroots and strategic campaign team, enabling us to work consistently for forest conservation including by employing dedicated, experienced campaigners and communicators, as our director, community organiser, and media officer.
This means that we can sustain our campaigning day in and day out; that we can reliably build towards our goals; and that we are able to take up opportunities to build our community and our case for forest protection.