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Ruth Langford Tipruthanna was arrested defending forests on Russell Ridge in the West Kunanyi Range, alongside members of the Palawa Community and Bob Brown Foundation, on April 3.

Grassroots Action Network Tasmania (GRANT) has been campaigning to save these ancient forests from being destroyed by Forestry Tasmania.

GRANT said Forestry Tasmania has vindictively decided to log an area where it had organised a Forest Fest, after Uncle Jim Everett called for 20 days of action in January. More than 300 people took part and some activists remained afterwards, organising citizen science and direct action. 

Langford delivered an impassioned speech at the event on the need to recognise Law in Country and reconnect in right relationship with lands and waterways at the festival.

Ruth Langford Tipruthanna said: “I am acting to uphold my cultural obligation to protect Country ... that encompasses the natural systems and cycles that provide for us all. I am choosing to not simply stand by and watch the destruction of one of the few intact native forests left in south east Lutruwita.

“It’s imperative that we change the archaic logging practices to ensure that we protect our water catchments and that we choose a way that makes better economic sense.”

The two logging coupes, known as “RU030E” and “RU030K” connect a remnant swathe of old growth forest on top of Russell Ridge, and alongside an ocean of clear felled and plantation forests.

These ancient forests are home to some of the oldest and largest yellow gums still standing, as well as a myriad of other disappearing flora, fauna and fungi.

Stretching 700-800 metres high, the forest forms an upper slope of Huonville’s drinking water catchment.  

“Logging these endemic ancient yellow gums and clearfelling celery-top pines in these forests is a criminal act in a climate and extinction crisis,” said Jenny Weber from the Bob Brown Foundation.

“Yellow gums are endemic to south-eastern Tasmania and only found on plateaus and mountains. The logging of Lutruwita’s native forests must end. We are taking action every week in the lead up to the federal election to secure a nationwide ban on logging in the next parliament.”

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Photo: Grassroots Action Network Tasmania

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Photo: Grassroots Action Network Tasmania

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Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman Ruth Langford. Photo: Bob Brown Foundation