13 August, 2010

LETTER: The many faces of conservation

April Reside, North Ward, Qld
The Age, August 13, 2010

Source

As entrusted custodians of our environment and biota, we would hope that our government would act to protect our iconic endangered species. Sadly, this is not the case.

If it weren't for the community group Environment East Gippsland, rare and endangered species such as the long-footed potoroo would have seen their old-growth forest habitat on Brown Mountain destroyed long ago (''Greens hail win on logging'', The Age, 12/8). VicForests is aware that logging practices in Victoria are unsustainable.

Protecting forests is a pivotal conservation issue, with many states banning land clearing. However, protecting forests is not just an endangered-species issue: it is a water conservation issue, a carbon issue, a tourism issue and a community issue. This landmark case will hopefully show the government that the community will hold it accountable.

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