"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way."

~ William Blake


The environmental ethic you find here is called ‘biocentric’. This means it is an ethic which values all living things and not just humans. It recognises that people are not separate from their environment; like all living things we are part of the life- sustaining ecosystem called Planet Earth. Old growth forests and their ecosystems are essential to plants and animals for habitat, food and the maintenance of biodiversity. They are important to humans for ecological, spiritual and cultural reasons as well as for economic reasons. Read on, see what we have to say and let us know what you think ...

What are old growth forests?
Old growth forests have been growing and evolving naturally for millions of years.

Where are the old growth forests?
Our old growth forests are found only in the South West of WA.

How much old growth is there?
Before Europeans came to Western Australia in 1829 all the forests were old growth. How much is left?

Why are old growth forests important?
Old growth forests have values that cannot be found anywhere else. They are unique and irreplaceable.

What is happening to the old growth?
The intensive logging practices used by CALM and the native forest timber industry have major impacts on the forest ecosystem, many of which are irreversible.

Where do our forests go?
Our old growth forests are being clearfelled to produce mainly woodchips and other low grade products such as roofing timbers and jarrah charcoal logs.

Nyoongar Land Nyoongar Spirit
"Before the coming of the Wadjalla, our forests played an important part in our spiritual well-being, identity and survival."

Threatened species
Extinctions have always been a part of evolution, but what's new is the current rate of extinction due to the rapid growth of the human population and the destruction of natural habitat by humans.

What should happen to the old growth?
Old growth forest should be protected because there is so little left and it provides various types of habitat that regrowth cannot provide.

Help save the old growth!
If you have read through this web page and would like to be part of the campaign there are lots of ways you can get involved.

Forest poems and stories
A collection of writings on the forests.

Forest terms
A collection of common forest words and phrases.

Forest School Activities
Suggested resource materials for the classroom and forest-friendly activities

Links
Other sources of information on the internet.

A WAFA Project. Website design by immersia. Written by Leith Maddock and Peta-Lyn Blyth.
First published on the internet November 16, 1999.

produced with the assistance of former Greens (WA) Senator Dee Margetts and WAFA. Send us an email!