Hey everybody out there. How should I start this weblog? It's now my last time up the tree and there are so many things that I want to tell you about in terms of how I am thinking and feeling.

It will be very strange to be back in town again, reading street names which should help me to find my way, but they won't do that. I think I was much closer to finding my way while staying in this tree.

This forest and all the things around it. It was an amazing time with all the people ready to change something and hopefully these places will be protected soon.

Just now Tinne is playing guitar, the moon is rising behind her and it is quite still, no wind at all, like all the other nights before this week. We also heard an owl tonight.

I’m sitting here and hoping that there will be enough people to save this place, enough power against the bad companies who are logging our last pieces of ancient nature.

Let’s stop them and fight against it!

See ya out there
Jannik

27 th feb

To everybody out there…stunningly beautiful and horribly devastating. That basically describes my first impressions of the Styx Valley of the Giants.
Arrived here two days ago, came over from Aotearoa, met up with some people from the Wilderness Society in Hobart and got a ride out here, really it is indescribable.
You drive passed clearfelling sites, the fact comes straight to mind that this forest is bombed with extra sticky Napalm to wipe out everything alive to plant fast growing mono-cultures.
Can money be worth it?
When I walked down to the treesit these huge guards of this old-growth forest amazed me. And it was very good to meet a bunch of nice and caring environmentalists who are doing some great and ambitious work here.
The ancestors of the tree I’m sitting in now, used to be part of the forests of Gondwana. These forests have been and will be the lungs of this Planet.
Human kind has done enough damage. Fight the greed.
ya basta................................................................Jannes

Hello world!
It is so good to be back in the forest after being away on the woodchip ship loading blockade that Greenpeace did at Triabunna (a port just north of here). It was a great action with everyone doing their part beautifully. We successfully stopped the loading and got heaps of national coverage on television and radio. The next day there was a very well respected current affairs program that did an expose on the forest industry in Tasmania, so I'm sure Gunns Ltd (the bad guys in this story) are really starting to feel the pressure now so if you've got any shares, my advice is to sell now.

We've been spending our time doing a lot of rescue and tree climbing training lately, and everyone is becoming very good rope access climbers, which is excellent because now we have a well trained bunch of activists here in Tas, so look out all you future eating planet exploiters out there!!!

We are still getting more and more visitors everyday. The word is that most people in Tas now know we are here and why. We just have to try to get them all to go along to the rally on the 13th of march in Hobart. Maybe it will be the straw that breaks the camels back and the government will start to listen to it's people. I know it is unusual for corrupt governments to do that, but if there's enough people they will have a hard time ignoring us.

Anyway, on with the day, thank you for your support, it means a lot to us tree sitters

Adam

ps. I did a very detailed inspection of all the rigging up here and it's all still good, after 4 months! I think we can get another 2 out of it before starting to replace bits.

Hello everyone. How are you? I'm fine and still up the tree. I'm learning how to play the guitar, which is very exciting. Today I managed to play a song of my favourite band The Levellers, the Boatman. But of course next to that there's also more serious things to think about.
The CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) in Malaysia ended on the 20th of February. A Greenpeace delegation was there to help create a network of protected areas on land and in the oceans. The world’s governments agreed to establish a global network of protected areas by 2010 on land and by 2012 in the world’s oceans. So national governments should take this seriously at home and provide the financial support needed to make all of this work.
On March 13, there will be a forest rally in Hobart. I invite everyone to be there so we can protest against the logging of old growth forests in Tassie. Place to be; 11:30 Parliament Lawns, Hobart, Tasmania. see y'all there!

TINNE ;0)

Hi everyone,

Ahhh.... back in the tree at last. It's been so long since I've been up here I'd forgotten the password to the Toughbook - only for a second though.

Just thought I'd give you a brief update on how things look from the sit's point of view. First up, a huge thankyou to Scott. He did a fantastic job out here, taught everyone and their auntie how to climb, kept the vibe really good and safe, not to mention a record 3.5 minute climb from the ground to the sit!

The Global Rescue Station (GRS) and base camp are working really well. The volunteers that have been out here have been working hard with tourists and general runnings. Balinda and Daniel and baby Joshua have been coming out weekends to man the tourist trap and doing a great job, answering endless questions, stopping people walking through to camp and encouraging donations. They also took home the strip banner from the tree to mend it. Big effort with the baby and all. I think they're the only people so far from town to come and do that job, so maybe some more can be found.

Money from the donations is pretty much supporting the place supply wise and the van lives out here most of the time. It’s getting quite self sufficient at the moment. Once the new climb stuff that Vicca's getting arrives, the GRS shouldn't need much more input for a while, (famous last words), apart from communications and the fuel card.

It looks like there's going to be a solid climb crew out here for the foreseeable future. Anne and I leave for most of next week, but Sakyo, Ben, Pek, Tinne, Jai, Jannik and Jannis will still be here, so unless there's another action next week all will be well.

As far as things happening out here, all we know of at the moment is that Bob and some others are coming tomorrow, so we're getting everything as conservative and professional looking as possible.

Things like encouraging Bongo Barb and the crew that the drumming and dancing will be way better up in the clearfell with a nice fire, especially on days when pollies or their henchmen are visiting (their drumming is very good by the way, and sounds beautiful drifting through the forest). Also Barb has told us we can come and have hot baths at her place anytime, it's next door to the police station in Maydena, has a huge bath and plenty of water.

I can't think of anything very negative to add so... if it ain't broke, don’t fix it hey?

All the best

Adam

Heh everybody out there...

The 19th Feb was a very special day!
It was 100 days since we launched the platforms, to start this protest in 65 meter high on Gandalf's staff, this awesome swamp gum in the Styx valley.

There have been a lot of people out here to live up the tree, to support us in many ways...a lot happened...and we were thinking we should write a group weblog...to collect some creative thoughts from us....how we're feeling...and so on.... here it is...

#
...wake up'
mhhh, the sleepingbag is so warm...
...wake uuup'
it's nearly night sakyo! whats on?
... have a look...it's wicked!...
mhhhh, alright...
....
....as i jumped out of my sleepingbag and the tent...i realise what sakyo is talking about...
the sun is rising, it's just over the mountain ridge, light begins to flow over the whole valley...the river is starting to shine like 1000 crystals...all these different kind of greens of the canopy of this amazing rainforest...the first birds start singing and some clouds are still hanging on some treetops...
The styx valley is awake and another day waits for us...

let's keep on fighting
jannik

#
Time flies. But I am sure we're moving forward! Rock`n Rolllll!!!!
Sakyo

#
It feels a bit like the time is standing still out here in the forest, but anyway everybody keeps going. its good to have porridge in the morning cause you need the energy and it warms you up from the inside... we all must be patient in this blockade and wait for what will happen, but everyday we are here is a win for us! Keep on the fight!! SCHULZ!!!
Lars and Lena
#

So its already 100 days since the blockade started. Many people are still fighting to stop the logging in Tasmania. for me personally it becomes more difficult to understand why beautiful forests like here are being cut down. I hope that we can all stand up for these forests and say no to old growth logging.... Bye to everyone
TINNE
#

Hi Everybody, from Phil.
It's 100 days since the global rescue station has been set up in the Styx.
On the anniversary Scotty, Lena and Me went up Gee Creek road to the old xmas tree from 4 years ago and took down an old banner and generally cleaned up old ropes and things still hanging around and climbed up the xmas tree and it was just awesome. What a beautiful tree. What a beautiful forest.
What a beautiful bunch of people. I love everything.
And everybody.
Phil
#

The 100th day the globel rescue station has being enjoying its amazing view up here nestled in the branches of this forgiving giant. The people here reflect the beauty of this place, with the preservation of this unique area poeple from all over the world can experience and enjoy this amazing forest as the globel rescue crew have for the last hundred days.
Peck

I am back at the Global Rescue Station. Last weekend we had a very successful action to stop the loading of woodchips onto a transport ship headed for Japan.

The photo we took during the action is so impressive – a small inflatable boat is hanging a Japanese banner that says “Protect Tasmania’s ancient forests”. Our brave climbers also hung a banner that said "Stop global forest destruction" in the background and in front of a huge pile of woodchips.

This is a strong message to Mitsubishi, Oji and Nippon paper companies that they should stop buying woodchips from Tasmania’s ancient forests. The coverage of the action was running all the day. I had an interview from Japan as well.

Two nights ago when I was in Hobart I saw a very interesting TV program on Four Corners. It was about the logging in Tassie’s forest. It was fantastic to see a TV show highlighting the destruction of Tasmania’s precious and magnificent ancient forests.

Now I am in my sleeping bag. Ben is on the crow’s nest and I can hear him chanting even though it is quite windy this morning. Dazzling sun and the chill of the morning are beginning to clear my head clear. I realise that I am feeling quite hungry.

Bye now
Sakyo

It is getting dark and Sakyo and I are sitting in the communication tent. Sakyo is telling me about the action Greenpeace did at the weekend.

They stopped a woodchip freighter from loading woodchips from Tasmania's ancient forest. Activists climbed the loading gantry and stopped the loading of the woodchips for 7 hours. The woodchips were expected to go to Japan. Good on ya' all!

Yesterday I met the Greens leader Bob Brown. He was out here with a journalist from the Bulletin Magazine. He wants to write an article about the people staying out here so I told him, like all the other journalists why I'm here in this tree. Basically I want my children to be able to see this amazing place. That’s my hope.

Good dreams

Jannik

Greenpeace prevented the export of woodchips from Tasmania’s ancient forests to Japanese paper companies - Oji Paper, Nippon Paper and Mitsubishi Paper Mills - at Tasmania’s Triabunna port.

Greenpeace environmentalists climbed onto the port’s loading gantry, preventing woodchips from being loaded. They hung banners in both Japanese and English urging the protection of the State's ancient forests.

(news report from Greenpeace)

Greenpeace prevented the export of woodchips from Tasmania’s ancient forests to Japanese companies Oji Paper, Nippon Paper and Mitsubishi Paper Mills with an action at Tasmania’s Triabunna port.

A team of seven Greenpeace environmentalists stepped up their campaign to protect the ancient forests of Tasmania’s Styx Valley by climbing onto the port’s loading gantry, preventing woodchips from being loaded. They hung banners saying “Stop global forest destruction” and “Protect Tasmania’s ancient forests”, in English and Japanese.

Greenpeace campaigner Rebecca Hubbard said, “We’re here to stop the ongoing destruction of Tasmania’s ancient forest by Gunns Ltd.

“For the time being we’ve halted export of woodchips from Tasmania’s ancient forests to Japan.

“The ongoing destruction of Tasmania’s ancient forests shows why governments meeting at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Malaysia this week must implement a global network of protected areas, and ensure that the earth’s biodiversity is protected for future generations,” said Ms Hubbard.

Japanese activist Sakyo Noda, who has been living in the world’s highest tree-sit, the Global Rescue Station, since November 12 2003 said, “We are sending a strong message to the Japanese paper companies that the Tasmanian people’s wishes for protection of their ancient forests are being ignored by the government.

“Oji Paper, Nippon Paper and Mitsubishi Paper Mills can help to protect these magnificent forests by sourcing woodchips from FSC ceritified forests or sustainably-managed plantations instead of ancient forest,” he said.

Mr Noda has witnessed first hand the destructive clearfelling methods used in the Styx.

Tasmania exports more woodchips from native forests than all other Australian states combined. Less than 20 percent of Tasmania’s original extent of untouched giant Eucalyptus regnans trees remain, with half under threat from logging.

Tasmanian Liberal leader Rene Hidding visits the Styx Valley, describing his fact-finding mission a "great day" and the Global Rescue Station site as impressive.

"A couple of protesters came down 65m from their trees to meet us and you've got to take your hat off to them." said Mr Hidding.

Mr Hidding also said the Liberal Party could emerge as the honest brokers in the divisive forestry argument.

Click here to read Mercury story

Felicity (from the ground)

hejho...

I'm sitting in a hammock, swinging a little bit from side-to-side and writing my weblog ... the sun is shining and Scott and the others are trying to hang the banner for the CBD (Conference of bioversity...) which is on in Kuala Lumpur and ends on Feb 20... hopefully with positive changes for the forests worldwide!

But it is not an easy job today to hang a banner cause the wind is getting stronger, everytime they try to hang it, well, it is more a sail then a banner, but now it looks good and we will get some nice shots soon.

Its' now half past four and we had a lot of visitors the whole day, like every Sunday. We are only able to see them from above, but it looks like ants... arriving and leaving : )

Tomorrow, a German TV Team wants to climb up the tree to make a little documentry about the treesit and whats' going on in this ancient forest. Hopefully it will be good weather... without this strong wind... it's so funny to feel the tree moving, it feels like being on a boat in big waves... perfect for laying in a hammock... feeling the wind and I send out thoughts to the rest of the world.
stay tuned
jannik

Today the opposition party in Tasmania - the Tasmanian Liberal Party - came into the forest to talk to us about what is happening in the forest industry. They had been out with the Forestry Tasmania earlier in the day. It is always important I think to hear both sides of the argument. It is great to see that they actually seem committed to working towards a positive outcome for Tasmania.

What is happening in Tasmania is affecting people all over everywhere, not just here in the Styx Valley, or in Tasmania, but in the rest of Australia and the world. Something need to be done. Thousands of people go on marches, and rallies and protests, they write letters to the editor and to politicians. People are frustrated and unhappy about what is happening here and something needs to be done. Which is why it is so positive that the Liberals bothered to come out here and talk to the conservation movement about what is happening in our public forests.

The politicians of Tasmania are the people who can do the most to save our forests. They are in the greatest position of power. They have the choice to listen to the people on this island, who are calling for an end to the destruction of these magnificent forests and to do something about it.

When we were standing in this forest, here in the Styx, all I could think of, was how can anyone stand here and justify destroying these places? The answer is of course is that you can't. I defy anyone to stand in a place like this, amongst the tallest trees on earth, and argue that these places should be woodchipped and turned into paper.

Felicity (on the ground)

Heh! to you all out there

Today was such an Autumn day, we had a clear blue sky and sun. Adam said it was the best weather since they launched the station... yesterday Sakyo and me made an update of the food box we have up the tree and it was time to check what we have and how long we could stay in the tree if we don't have supplies from the ground. The idea was to be able to stay 1 month and after we sorted all the stuff... yeah it's possible!

There were so many goodies. It was hard for us not to start a big dinner on our own, actually we now know what we don't have and will get the missing things tomorrow, to be prepared.

When I am writing this I can the see the full moon. Turning around I see where the sun set ...purple...red...orange and blue in the top. In front, this big green forest with its giant trees looking out of the canopy in some spots. The smooth lines of the mountains going around the valley... I'm sitting in my sleeping-bag in the crow's nest, that's a little platform above the GRS, with a net between wooden posts at a height of about 70 meters.

I just took some good shots of the full moon with my camera. A small breath just started to blow and the tree is moving really soft... I can smell the eucalyptus oil in the leaves beside my face, possums screaming somewhere and some kakadoos are still awake... and the last thought before I fall asleep, 'please let us have enough power to save this amazing beautiful place of nature...'
***
jannik

(click continue for German)

hej ihr alle da draussen

heute war so ein schoener tag. wir hatten die ganze zeit blauen himmel und sonne. adam meinte es war der waermste tag seit sie die plattform gebaut haben...
gestern habe ich mit sakyo die notfall verpflegungsbox(oder wie man sie auch immer nennen will?!) auf den neuesten stand gebracht um zu gucken ob wir wirklich einen ganzen monat ohne andere unterstuetzung leben koennen. nachdem wir fertig waren, kamen wir zu dem fazit, dass bis auf ein paar kleinigkeiten eigentlich alles da ist und glaubt mir es war ganz schoen schwierig bei all den leckeren dingen nicht gleich ein grosses abendessen zu zaubern...aber spass beiseite, wir sind hier wirklich so gur vorbereitet, dass wenn die motorsaegen wirklich kommen sollten, wir einen ganzen monat ausharren koennten und wenn noetig auch laenger!
wenn ich das hier schreibe sehe ich den mond in seiner ganzen gestalt, vollmond. klarer himmel. wenn ich mich umdrehe sehe ich wo die sonne hinter den bergen untergegangen ist...lila...dunkelrot...orange und nach oben viele blautoene. im vordergrund dieses unglaubliche gruen vom urwald, aus dem an vielen stellen die giganten von bauemen rausschauen. dazu diese seicht, geschwungenen bergkonturen um das ganze styx tal...ich sitze mal wieder in meinem schlafsack, aber diesmal im crow's nest, eine kleine plattform aus starken hoelzern und ein netz dazwischen. diese plattform ist ueber der eigentlichen GRS in der spitze des baumes verankert, in ~70 metern hoehe. habe gerade ein paar langzeitbelichtungen mit meiner kamera gemacht, vom mond und dem tal. gerade hat eine leichte brise angefangen zu wehen und der baum bewegt sich leicht dazu...kann das eukalyptus oel in den blaettern neben meinem gesicht riechen, im hintergrund fangen irgendwo im wald die possums an zu schreien und ein paar kakadoos sind noch wach und ich denke, dass wir einfach genug energie haben muessen diesen ort vor den moorsaegen zu schuetzen...helft uns und erzaehlt jedem den ihr trefft von diesen verbrechen an der natur, die hier begangen werden!
***
jannik

I've received lots of support emails from Kuranda where I lived for 5 months last year. It's a beautiful rainforest tableland north of Cairns. But one email made me upset.

Why? Because it said: " there is an expanding road plan and it will be cutting through untouched forest. One report measured more than 27 hectares of the rainforest which would be cut down, some of this being in the World Heritage area."

Before I came to Australia, I just thought that this country is a lot of wildlife and natural country. And in my graduation memorial book at primary school I wrote that I wanted 'to live in Australia with interesting wild animals!' :)

But truth is not only that - it is much more... it's environmental destruction!

Tomorrow in Kuranda, people who are against the new road will have a community forum at Weka-Djimbu Dance Theatre. I am here to protect the Styx Valley but my heart goes out to Far North Queenlsand.

much love
Sakyo

Heh everybody,
Now I'm here, after 4 days up the tree with rain, thunderstorm and sun. I'm feeling like being home.
Yesterday was a beautiful day, it started with frenchtoasts in the morning (made by Sakyo), and went on with a couple of visitors - there was Neo, a climber from The Wilderness Society who joined that action on the ferry 'Spirit of Tasmania'. for those who don't know about that, they changed the name with help of a banner, to 'woodchipping the Spirit of Tasmania'! - was interesting to hear from a person who joined it.

We also got a new climber, Scott, he's a local and the new man for safety stuff. He's working as a tree surgeon and swapped with Will. He looks like a professional. We checked all the knots and anchor points together to keep the platforms safe. Was fun to work with him and the weather was so sunny and warm... the heavy rain didn't matter today. it was also my first clear sunset up the tree yesterday. The sky was nearly burning... and afterwards there was a very short thunderstorm... amazing to see all the lightening above the mountains...

keep on fighting
jannik
(click continue for German)

moin,

ja jetzt bin ich wirklich angekommen. nach 4 tagen im baum mit regen, gewitter und sonne fuehle ich mich wie zu hause.
gestern war ein guter tag, wir starteten mit frenchtoast am morgen(von sakyo gezaubert) und hatten dann ein paar besucher auf 'm baum. wie zum einen neo, ein kletterer von 'the wilderness society' vom australischen festland, der mit auf der faehre war, auf der fuenf kletterer den namen der betreibergesellschaft (spirit of tasmania) mit hilfe eines banners in 'woodshipping the spirit of tasmania' veraenderten, war interessant die story aus erster hand zu hoeren.
wir koennen ausserdem einen neuen kletterer in unserem kreis begruessen, scott. er ist australier und arbeitet sonst als baumpfleger aufm festland und ist unser neuer sicherheitsspecialist, als ersatz fuer will, der wieder zurueck aufs festland gefahren ist(will war seit anfang november im styx valley und hat mitgeholfen die plattform zu bauen). scott scheint ein ziemlich guter kletterer zu sein. wir haben gestern zusammen alle knoten und ankerpunkte kontrolliert, um die plattformen weiterhin sicher zu machen. hat spass gemacht mit ihm zu arbeiten, netter mensch, wie alle hier. ausserdem war das wetter ziemlich gut, die sonne schien und es war so warm...dass ich den starken regen heute gar nicht fuehle, fast nicht.
der gestrige tag verabschiedete sich dann noch mit meinem ersten richtigen:) sonnenuntergang, der ganze himmel fing an zu brennen...und danach zauberte ein kurzes gewitter weiter entfernt, kleine blitze an den vom mond beschienen himmel...

keep on fighting
jannik

Hello everybody,
It's now the second night that Jannik has spent in the tree. It didn't take a long time to see he is indeed a very good climber. We're already used to his company and I think it will be good to have him in our team. Last night he was writing his first german weblog sitting in his tent with a torch on his head. speaking of dedication.....It was funny to see.

The weather is really nice today. Vica brought 3 Tasmanian guys with him and they climbed up. I think they are enjoying the sun outside on the platform right now. I should join them. Sakyo is having a rest in the crow's nest at the moment.

A visitor asked me if I do birdwatching up here. I see so many birds, like white and black cockatoos and many other species of which I don't know the names, but everytime I see a bird I try to be very quiet, I turn around to get the binoculars that are hanging on the platform. But when I turn back again to have a closer look, they are already gone. I think they are playing a game with me ;0)

tinne

(for Dutch click continue)

Hallo,

Jannik heeft reeds 2 nachten op het platform geslapen. Ondertussen hebben we al gemerkt dat hij inderdaad een goede klimmer is dus we zijn heel blij om hem in ons team te hebben. Gisterenavond schreef hij zijn eerste duitse weblog. Hij zat in de tent met een lampje op z'n hoofd terwijl hij ijverig aan het schrijven was... dat was wel grappig.

Vandaag is het een zonnige dag. Vica heeft 2 tasmaanse vrienden meegebracht die een kijkje wilden nemen op het platform. Ik denk dat ze van de zon aan het genieten zijn buiten op het platform. Sakyo is een beetje aan het luieren helemaal boven in de boom in het 'crow's nest'.

Onze bezoeker vroeg me net of ik de vogels observeer hier op het platform. Ik zie hier inderdaad veel vogels zoals de witte en zwarte kaketoe en vele andere vogels waarvan ik de naam niet weet, maar telkens ik een vogel zie probeer ik heel stil te zijn. Ik draai me om om de verrekijker te nemen die op het platform hangt, maar wanneer ik me terug omdraai is de vogel ribbedebie. Ik denk dat ze graag verstoppertje met me spelen ;0)