Forever Wild Event - Perth, December 2, 2007

On December 2, 2007, The Wilderness Society supporters, staff and volunteers gathered at the sustainable Piney Lakes Environment Centre in Perth for one of the last Bequest events for 2007.

Pam Stowell and Patricia Haste - Bequest Event in Perth, Dec 2, 2007

The afternoon was opened with a fantastic "Welcome to Country" an informative and exciting concert by the Wadumbah Dance Group. Attendees were given an insight into Australian Indigenous culture and traditional relationship with the fragile Australian environment.

Our Western Australian State campaign coordinator, Peter Robertson, who has been involved in the conservation movement for almost 30 years now, gave a presentation on The Wilderness Society’s long term organisational vision, WildCountry.  In the face of climate change, tackling wilderness fragmentation across this vast continent is vital to halt Australia’s wildlife extinction epidemic.
Link: www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/wildcountry

Alexander Watson, our West Australian Outback Conservation Manager, gave us an in depth insight into the Great Western Woodlands campaign, located east of the rabbit proof fence in South West WA.  (Link)  Alexander informed the attendees of the details of the biodiversity research that is happening in the region with the aim of providing a scientific backbone for future campaigns to protect this vast, unspoiled woodlands area from environmental threats.

The afternoon was concluded by Anneke de Graaf, one of our National Bequest Officers, who spoke about the growing bequest program and the increasing need for all of us to plan, not only for our individual futures, but for the future of the planet and the generations who will inherit the world after us. 

“I made a bequest to The Wilderness Society(TWS) quite a while before going to the event at Piney Lakes, though that event confirmed my decision. I love the work TWS  has been doing for many years. I think it is a very selfless cause, beneficial for all mankind in the long run (not to mention the wildlife).  I feel that every creature has a place and a right to existence on this planet and our world becomes a little poorer with each extinction. All it takes is for each of us to be just a little less selfish and give something back to our great country.”  Patricia Haste

A huge thank you to all of our fantastic supporters that came along to be informed and inspired, and a special thank you to those who informed us of their intention to include wilderness in their Will and especially to those who have already done so.  You are all making an incredible personal commitment to the long term protection of Australia’s environment for future generations.     

Holding Forever Wild events are our way of thanking those who have advised us that they have included The Wilderness Society in their Will. These events also provide an update for those considering leaving a bequest to the long term preservation of Australian Wilderness. It is a great opportunity to meet some of Australia’s key environmental campaigners, to keep informed about the campaigns you are supporting and find out the best ways to take action.

For more information on leaving a bequest to The Wilderness Society, or for details of the upcoming Forever Wild events please contact:

Anneke de Graaf on (03) 9038 0802 
email:anneke.degraaf@wilderness.org.au

or Gaye French on (03) 6270 1778 or 1800 030 641.
email:bequests@wilderness.org.au