Miranda Gibson in the Tasmanian forest[/caption]GHN — Speak of saving our green heritage and you may spot one woman right there on a tree, getting her voice out to the world to stop destroying our forests. Miranda Gibson, 31, is a qualified high school teacher, specializing in teaching English and Study of Society and Environment, in Australia. She has climbed among trees in the Tasmanian forest in protest of plans to get these majestic trees felled for a Malaysian company dealing in timber. Miranda has been up among the trees since December 2011 and tweets from her natural home while birds are welcoming her in their own twitter, perching around her. GHN had an email interview with this amazing young woman who has gone arboreal to save one of the world’s most precious treasures.
GHN: Miranda, please tell a little about how long you have been serving this cause and why in this particular area.
Miranda: I have been involved with a volunteer-based forest advocacy group Still Wild Still Threatened for about 6 years. Through this I have been involved in monitoring wildlife in forests that are threatened by logging. For almost a year before climbing this tree, we used remote sensor cameras to capture footage of animals in this forest, including Tasmanian devils.
When I found out that logging was set to proceed here, despite the Australian government making a promise to protect it, I wanted to make a stand and show the world how important this issue is. This area has been recommended for protection by the World Heritage Committee and also by a government – endorsed team of independent scientific experts. This ancient forest ecosystem includes eucalypt species that are the world's tallest flowering plant, and also provides critical habitat for endangered species. It is vitally important that such significant forests are protected from logging so that they can survive for future generations.
GHN: Where are you at this very moment? And are you alone in your protest?
Miranda: I am at the top of a 400-year-old tree in the middle of Tasmania's threatened forests. I am on a small platform suspended by ropes to the tree. I am alone up here. However, I have a lot of support from people in the community, who come out to the base of the tree to bring out food and supplies. Although it can be isolated being in the tree alone, it is also amazing to have the technology up here to communicate to people right around the world. I have had an overwhelming amount of support from across the globe.
GHN: What is your purpose?
Miranda: When I climbed to the top of this tree almost a year ago, I vowed not to get down until the forest is protected. I hope that my action will create a ripple across the community and the globe, inspiring others to voice their concerns for the future of these forests and putting pressure on the government and companies involved.
GHN: Why did you choose to live in a gum tree? And do you use only Twitter to communicate with followers?
Miranda: I choose to live at the top of this tree because it is a powerful way to send a message to the government, to Ta Ann and to the world, that these forests are valuable and need urgent protection. From up here, I am able to share this forest with people who would otherwise be unable to see it. I update a blog and use other social media networks such as twitter, to share the story of this tree and this forest. I have also spoken at community forums, events, and school groups via Skype.
GHN: So who are mainly responsible for the damage that you are protesting against?
Miranda: My action is bringing awareness to the practices of Malaysian company, Ta Ann. They have been identified by official documents as being a key driver of the logging of high conservation value forests. Yet they market and sell the products made from such timber as “eco ply” as environmentally friendly. I hope to expose the truth behind these products and encourage people to take part in the cyber action, sending a message to the corporate customers of Ta Ann, calling on Ta Ann to change these practices.
GHN: Please tell us about your daily life currently and what it is like?
Miranda: I spent a large amount of my time on the computer to update my blog and talk to people about these forests. This is so important because it is through people finding out about these forests and speaking up for these forests that we will be able to achieve a positive outcome. I also enjoy spending time bird-watching, taking photos, and appreciating this incredible view. My daily routine consists of other things such as doing exercise on the platform to keep my fitness up.
GHN: You must have a great love for nature? How did that come to be in your life?
Miranda: I have always loved and appreciated the natural environment. However, I remember the moment in time when I realized that I wanted to do everything I can to protect these forests. It was the first time I ever stood in a clear fell. The absolute devastation of seeing a landscape destroyed of all trees and animals was shocking. Stepping from this clear fell into the surrounding forest, the contrast was even more shocking. In the forest, I stood under giant trees towering over 60 meters above and hundreds of years old. And surrounded by rainforest species, dripping with moss, lichen, and fungi. And I knew from that moment that we need to be protecting these unique and ancient forests. That we cannot allow such areas to be clear felled. This was many years ago and I have seen many forests and sadly many clear fells since then. But I am still inspired by the beauty of these ecosystems and equally devastated to see how they are so rapidly destroyed by industrial scale logging.
GHN: From where you are, do you see a lot of birds or other types of animals? Have they welcomed you in their place?
Miranda: My tree top platform is perfect for bird watching! I see a range of birds, including endangered wedge-tailed eagles soaring the skies above. Many birds come to my tree on a daily basis, and some even come onto my platform. They have become used to my presence here now and don't seem to mind me. There are not many other animals up here in the upper canopy. But I can hear other animals in the forest, such as possums and sugar gliders. I also have had owls and bats visit my tree.
GHN: So has there been a lot of public support for your activism?
Miranda: There has been so much support both locally and internationally. In February we held a global day of action for people to show their support for this campaign. Over 70 actions across 15 countries took part. And now, as it approaches my one year anniversary of living in the tree, I am again asking people to show their support. I believe we will see a strong show of support for the Observer Tree cyber event on December 14th.
GHN: If there is anything you could say to the world right at this moment, what would it be?
Miranda: The one thing my action has taught me is how much we can all make a difference to make the world a better place. I hope that my action inspires others to believe in the power that we all have and encourages everyone to do what they can, in their own way, to help protect these forests and other significant ecosystems across the world.
GHN: Thank you very much Miranda, we hope your voice is heard among all circles and due measures are taken to ensure proper conservation of the treasure you are trying to save.
Miranda: Thank you!
For updates, follow Miranda Gibson’s website http://observertree.org/.