Harvesting machine logs in the Bulga State Forest, October 2024
Logging of Bulga State Forest commenced in October this year.
Bulga Forest is situated 65km west of Port Macquarie in NSW Australia. This forest is a diverse ecosystem at the top of the Hastings and Manning River catchments. Forests have intrinsic value beyond their utility to us humans. They hold soil together and reduce erosion, they hold and store water and carbon, they produce oxygen so the rest of us can breathe and of course they provide habitat for many other species.
The forest up here is home to remnant and thriving colonies of Greater Gliders and Koala, both of whom are listed as Endangered Species. We also have Powerful Owls, Sooty Owls and Masked Owls, Black Cockatoos, Spotted Tail Quolls, Yellow Bellied Gliders, Parma Wallabies and a host more.
Despite this listing of animals, some of whom are endangered, forestry law is not protecting these animals and is currently logging their homes.
Community citizen and science efforts have identified more than 100 Greater Gliders and 14 Koalas living in the area currently being logged. Past forestry operations have shown that approximately 60% of the trees felled are left to be burnt on the ground. This poses an increased bushfire risk – something that also mobilised our community.
Elands, with a population of approximately 180 people, is the nearest village. Thus far we have delayed logging for several hours most days, since logging began on 1st October 2024. We have been assisted by people far and wide from the Gold Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne and also regional areas.
We know that most Australians are opposed to logging native forests and we also know that most Australians are appalled by animal cruelty. Many of the Gliders and Koalas will likely be injured and die as a result of logging. We do not want this to happen and this is why we need your help!