March in March to Save Our Native Forests

The Bob Brown Foundation is holding protests across the country to gain traction, advocacy, and awareness of the fight to end native forest logging.

March in March For Forests is a series of nationwide rallies demanding the protection of Australia’s native forests. Organised by the Bob Brown Foundation, these events will give the public the opportunity to learn, connect, and advocate for the protection of native forests and their inhabitants. 

Photo via the Bob Brown Foundation

What will the marches be like?

The first rally starts in Hobart this Sunday 17th of March. Each march will include live music and inspiring speakers and aims to cultivate a collective voice of activism.

Speakers across the different events include Bob Brown himself, environmentalist Jenny Weber, conservationist Tiahini Adamson, and activist Arlo Hill. At some locations, the marches will finish up at green spaces for picnics, continued conversations, and live performances from artists such as Peter Vadiveloo.

If you want to be more involved there are opportunities to volunteer at the events, as well as the chance to buy merchandise from the Bob Brown Foundation to show your support. Head to the March in March for Forests website for other ways you can get involved.

Why now?

The protests come at a crucial moment in the anti-logging movement. In February Bob Brown, along with activists Colette Harmsen and Ali Alishah, were arrested after blockading a logging site in the Styx Valley, Tasmania.

Photo via the Bob Brown Foundation

A few weeks later,  the Tasmanian Liberal Party committed to logging expansion if re-elected. This comes years after the ‘Tasmanian Forest Agreement’ was not adhered to, and the status of these forests were changed to be ‘future logging zones’. 

It also comes as footage emerges of trees being felled on Kangaroo Island with koalas still living in them try to escape.

Warning! This video contains footage that may be distressing to some viewers.

 

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Key messages from specific states include the importance of our native forests, and what’s at stake including species such as the greater glider, Yellow-bellied glider, Gang gang cockatoo, Swift parrot, and the koala all of which are endangered and living in native forests. 

Yellow-bellied glider | Photo by Owen Hanson

Check out the event dates below to find a protest in your area. 

March in March for Forests Events

TAS

Nipaluna/Hobart 

Sunday 17th of March, 11am

Learn More

NSW

Gumbaynggirr Country/Bellingen

Sunday 24th of March, 9:30am 

Learn More

Bundajalung Country/Lismore 

Sunday 24th of March, 10am

Learn More

Djiringanj Country/Bega

Sunday 24th of March, 10:30am

Learn More

Mulubinba/Newcastle 

Sunday 24th of March, 11am

Learn More

Gadigal/Sydney

Sunday 24th of March, 11am

Learn More

VIC

Taungurung Country/Kyneton 

Sunday 24th of March, 11am

Learn More

ACT

Ngunnawal Country/Canberra 

Sunday 24th of March, 11am

Learn More

SA

Tarndanya/Adelaide 

Sunday 24th of March, 12pm 

Learn More

Feature image by @alushforest