Open day in the Styx to showcase carbon dense native forests

The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc
Media Release
29th August 2008

The Wilderness Society is organising an open day in the Styx Valley this Sunday to encourage the public to visit one of the most carbon-dense forests in the world. Trained guides will be in place at five sites around the valley from 11am, to explain to the public the important role that protecting native forests can play in the battle against climate change.

“Forests like those in the Styx are some of the most carbon-dense in the world and logging them creates massive amounts of greenhouse pollution that worsens climate change,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society.

“Recent science from the Australian National University has highlighted the important role protecting the carbon stored in natural forests can play in the solution to climate change.”

The ANU report indicated tall, wet eucalypt forests such as those in the Styx, Weld and Upper Florentine can store over 1200 tonnes of carbon per hectare.

“In logging these forests for woodchips, Forestry Tasmania and Gunns are robbing the carbon bank at a great cost to the environment,” continued Mr Bayley. “Hundreds of hectares are scheduled to be logged in the coming years.”

“The public need to see these forests and hear the science to get a good understanding of the urgent need to preserve the carbon stored in native forests.”

“Any credible government response to climate change should include an urgent plan to protect the carbon stored in forests like the Styx,” concluded Mr Bayley.

When: This Sunday, 31st August, 11am to 3pm

Where: Styx Valley of the Giants
 1st stop on the Styx Bridge, near the Big Tree Reserve
 Approx 1 and half hours from Hobart

For a map on where to go visit:  http://www.wilderness.org.au/articles/styx_walking_guide