Forest guardians in North East NSW went through some heartbreaking times in 2024 and we offer our support as they plan their next steps. This update from Clouds Creek is a reminder that there were achievements too.
It is a story of extraordinary work by the community, combining constant public vigils with education and citizen science to identify and protect greater glider den trees in the Clouds Creek forest.
Sydney Nannas first became aware of this in April last year when we went on a listening tour of forests in the Coffs Harbour region.
One of the most memorable days of our tour was a visit to Clouds Creek forest. There we met a group of locals gathering by the road near the entrance to the forest. They were there to block the forest entrance to Forestry Corporation (FC) and to let more people know about the planned logging of native forest habitat. They had declared the forest a Greater Glider Sanctuary and vowed to protect gliders and the 20 other endangered or vulnerable species living in the forest.
They started the vigils in January when they found out about the planned logging, and every weekday morning before dawn they set up barricades, a stall and signs inviting drivers to stop for a cuppa and a chat. They’d been doing this for 15 weeks when we visited and to that point FC had stayed away.
At year’s end we decided to catch up with how they were going. We asked Meredith, one of the vigil organisers, for an update. She told us that while FC has continued industrial logging in some of the forests further south, so far they have not attempted to log Clouds Creek. What is truly amazing is that the group was able to maintain their morning vigils throughout the year – with a total of 250 vigils over 50 weeks. They will be back when FC returns from their summer break in a week or so.
Meanwhile there’s no holiday for the forest guardians. They are continuing to go out at night spotting gliders and identifying den trees in the forest. This isn’t easy because they have to see the glider come out of their den so the sighting can be recorded and become part of a permanent exclusion zone. It’s satisfying work though and they have spotted 17 gliders over the last couple of weeks. We are so lucky to have these wonderful people giving up their time to protect forests and endangered species.
Please join us in solidarity with Clouds Creek and all the forest guardians of the North East on Monday 13 January at West Pennant Hills.
We’ll be marching from Cnr Cumberland Forest Way and Castle Hill Rd, West Pennant Hills (10 minutes walk from Cherrybrook Metro Station) to Forestry Corporation offices 121-131 Oratava Avenue (plus 11 minutes).
Dress ups, placards and musical instruments all welcome.