In memory of some of the Styx Valley Giants, innocent victims of the irresponsible war against nature.

What a sad experience we had tonight. While quietly enjoying the surroundings and gazing to the heavens, we noticed large clouds of smoke rising from behind a mountain range in the Styx Valley.

As the sun was going down we went to investigate what Tasmania Forestry were up to. We followed the smoke’s direction and found ourselves in what was to be one of the most disturbing and blatantly outright destructive sights ever seen by our eyes.

It was like what we imagine a war zone to be. The tainted red sky was the result of napalm ignited fires. We discovered that they were spot fires burning through old growth forest. These fires were totally unattended.

The smoke was so incredibly intense and burning our eyes that we had to cover our mouths with scarves as an attempt to make breathing bearable.

The dark clouds of smoke encompassed what was left of any clear star lit night and blanketed the forest with an eerie sense of death. We continued our shocking journey up the roads toward the clear fells, dodging the embers that were driven by howling winds.

As we looked around in astonishment we could see areas of clear fell shaded red and black but what was so outrageous was that the giants of the Styx were falling victim to the flying sparks. They were helpless on this doomed night as they stood high, burning like huge torches. We bore witness to this atrocity and our memories are now tormented by the sounds of burning giants crashing down and the weeping sound of their sap simmering.

The fact that we walked through this devastation with no personnel present, no controlling of this unnatural burn, which was consuming far more than would be 'officially' intended, begs to ask how the people, authorities responsible for this can justify or claim 'responsible' forestry practices. These questions are still continuously recycled in our minds. How the hell can they get away with this?

These giants of the forests have become our neighbours, hosts, brothers and sisters and seeing them viciously killed has made this experience burn bitterly in our memories.

- Anne and Jannes

Yesterday was the global peace rally against the Iraq war. This time last year I took part in a lot of peace rallies with Greenpeace Japan. So this time, even though I was in the forest, I wanted to contribute.

I thought what can I do? Our advantage up the tree is beautiful scenery and strong wind. Strong wind... that was the key.

We decided to make a No War kite and fly it from the GRS!

I asked Phil to help in this mission. We went to clear fells to look for proper branches that were straight and light.

We tested the kite a few times. It was quite difficult to fly the kite but we finally caught a good wind to take the kite in the air! Then we all shouted "NO WAR!"

- Sakyo

Despite the weather I will try my best to do something active to keep warm. Speaking of rain, there is a huge wall of water stretched across the valley headed this way - the first drops will be upon us very soon. We may have to retreat to the tents.

It’s all good though. The rain really enhances the colours of the trunks, which are now shedding in long thin strips exposing the new creamy white trunk beneath. They are really transforming from a light greyish green with pink streaks flowing over the contours of the trees, then splits, almost bursting open exposing a shiny creamy interior. The long tassels of old bark then hang in bunches over the branch crooks or sail in the wind to the forest floor were it is slowly blanketed by a sea of moss and lichens.

We occasionally hear a loud tearing sound but after our hearts stop beating for a second we realise it’s just a big strip of bark shedding from the trees by the strong winds. Some of the giants around here are also beginning to flower, which is a rare occasion - Gandalf’s staff including. It only occurs every seven or so years and not all at the same time - such an event is totally worth checking out.

Speaking of events worth checking out, we had an esteemed guest on Thursday. Non other than the opposition leader himself Mark Latham, accompanied by equally worthy minister Bob Brown of the Greens.

It went really well because everyone was really organised. Mark and Bob had a really good look around and got to see some of the unique flora and fauna living in coupe SX13C - the old giant (Gandalf’s staff ) we are protecting. They also witnessed the devastation brought upon the forests from clear felling as well as the regimented rows of alien species of blue gum that are subsequently planted.

It was a great day for the hope of Tassie's great forests' survival. It's very encouraging when such a high profile person as Mark Latham takes some interest in seeing these places in their true sense and considers the realistic alternatives for the destructive forestry industry in Tassie.

Although the effect on the forests' future may not be immediate it is still a huge step in the right direction for Tassie's resources to be used in a sustainable and respectable way.

Any way that time will come but in the meantime the pressure must still be applied so keep writing letters, e-mails or anything. Pollies can sometimes have short memories and do need reminding that the destruction of these world heritage valued areas must end and be protected for future generations.

- Peck

Yesterday was a momentous day for the Tasmanian forest campaign with Mark Latham's visit to the Styx Valley of the Giants.

It is timely that the opposition leader accepted Bob Brown's invitation to visit Tassie's forests in the lead up to a Federal election, as it is going to require intervention by the federal government to end the destruction of Tassie's ancient forests. The state government is hell bent on continuing to send the trees to the woodchipper and Prime Minister Howard has shown little interest in protecting them.

Mr Latham was asked by a journalist yesterday "if he had had any emotional
response to his tour of the Styx", his reply was "I am here for factual conclusions not emotional responses". This didn't really surprise me as he
must be in a hard position politically, trying to balance the call from 85 per cent of Australian's that these forests be protected and on the other side the pressure from the powerful woodchip industry and its supporters.

Ordinary Australians do have an emotional response to these magnificent
forests as I have witnessed personally through the hundreds of visitors we have had at the Global Rescue Station. Most people are astounded by the fact that these forests are clearfelled and woodchipped for the profits of a few and the political gain of others. I don't believe that Mr Latham's emotional response could have been much different, he just wasn't able to express it to the media.

The factual conclusion I hope Mr Latham comes to, is that protecting Tassie's ancient forests will significantly improve his chances of winning government.

So there is only one way to make this happen. This is your chance to do
your bit! Everyone on the mainland needs to tell both political parties that they won't get your vote unless all of Tassie's ancient forests are protected now!

A couple of suggested ways for doing this are writing letters to the editors
of the Age, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian congratulating Mr
Latham on his visit and calling for the immediate protection of all of Tasmania's ancient forests; and also writing to your local federal MP with the same ask.

- Ben

Dear Styx forest defenders,

Thankyou for everything – but most of all the giving of yourselves for the forests and wildlife. Today, may not save the forests, but the rescue gates have at last been opened. Your long vigil high in Gandalf’s Staff has bound us all together and will always be seen as, like the moon, helping turn the tide. Have a celebratory time.

Warmest wishes
- Bob Brown, Greens leader.

Read more messages of support.

Good morning everyone it's Peck here, how is everyone today in the wild world? Well it's a trifle chilly up here this morning. A nice and fresh westerly breeze is rolling down from the upper valley. Those low white clouds have returned with the mist hugging the mountaintop and the giants of the slopes of the valley.

Last night millions of bright stars were in full display without a cloud in sight. It was looking pretty cool, just chilling on the hammock in the canopy of Gandalf’s staff.

I’ve been up here for a couple of months now but every time I look out from here to the untouched forest on the other side of the valley, or walk along the forest floor it never ceases to amaze me. The intricacy of the mosses and lichens to the majesty of the oldest and largest living creatures I have and will ever see. It’s like a really good piece of music art or poetry that moves its audience in profound and different ways and the experience, which lingers.

Perhaps a visit to this wild country will be an integral part of visitor’s itinerary if they want to discover Australia’s true heritage.

Anyway, in the meantime I think I'll just hang out and try to prevent this amazing place from being clearfelled, burnt and totally changed forever.

- Peck

On Saturday March 13, over 15,000 people rallied in Hobart to save Tasmania’s forests, sending a clear message to the Federal government to stop ancient forest destruction.

- Read the full story.

- View the rally slideshow.

I’m in the Global Rescue Station, with heaven below and nature's paradise all around. I imagine a slight shuddering, a tilting, an accelerating and crashing as this great, ancient tree comes crashing down to feed the woodchip nightmare, which is eating its way through the valley, claiming another victim.

But this towering tree still stands strong and safe because the earth defenders built this Global Rescue Station. May it be here for their great grandchildren and yours.

Standing between this forest and its wildlife and total destruction is the human spirit. My thanks to everyone here for telling the world, for giving the forests a global voice, for bringing forward the day when the sound of chainsaws is gone and all that can be heard here is the call of the green rosella, the cry of the currawong, and the laughter of children.

- Greens leader, Bob Brown.

Hello all you web people out there! I think this must be one of the more unusual days I've had out here. Today is the day of the big rally in Hobart and everyone except Phil and I have gone to it so it's incredibly quiet with no one in the camp at all.

We've had one small family come to visit, who somehow didn't know what was was happening in Hobart. I entertained their kids by being on the ropes and having a long chat with them from about 10 metres up. The little boy really wanted to climb, and said when he was old enough he wanted to join Greenpeace so he could climb too. I said if I was still the trainer I would show him how, which won’t be for about another 12 years, so it is kind of unlikely.

Phil and I are really looking forward to hearing how the rally went, how many people went, and whether it got good media coverage on the mainland.

Hopefully the politicians will realise that they will get all those votes if they can do the right thing by the environment.

It seems to be getting colder by the day as winter approaches, it's a two thermal day today that's for sure. At least it's not raining.

Well folks, I'm going to go for a climb up to the crow’s nest to get the blood flowing and try and warm up, so have a good day and I'll look forward to some of your emails later.

All the best

- Adam

We just hoisted a couple of BBC journalists up here. They're sitting here in the communications tent asking us all kinds of questions about life in the tree and the campaign to stop logging ancient forests.

It's great that people in England will be seeing images of the Valley of the Giants and hearing about Gunns Ltd and the Tasmanian state government’s desperate mission to destroy this old growth, and claim the land for monoculture plantations.

A Danish documentary crew was here yesterday and we got two of them up to the GRS before sunset. They were very lucky with one of the most beautiful days we've had and an awesome sunset. I wonder what Tasmania’s new Danish princess has to say on the forest issue?

Anyway, got to get going... the crew wants to go down now.

Have a lovely day

- Adam

Bbbrrrrrrrr........it's autumn. We have just started a competition for who has the best tactic about stashing warm cloth and how to use the different layers of thermals.

Yesterday it was eight degrees during the day and a pretty cold and gusty wind was blowing. However, after nearly 1 1/2 months I’m quite used to this changeable and cold weather.

Right now I'm lying in my sleeping bag on the platform, with an outer shelter, a fleece in-liner, a balaclava and a couple of thermals - and I'm feeling warm!

The night was calm and in the morning, Tim, a photographer from Amsterdam who is creating a story for Greenpeace International about the GRS, climbed up the tree. He did really well.

It looks like he took some amazing shots of the valley and of the treesit. I’m really excited about the pictures because he used a lot of black and white film, my favourite way to catch the moment in a photo.

So you all see that life is flowing up here...but it is still really cold!

Be good

- Jannik

Hi everyone out there,

It feels like winter is on the way today. We're a little over a week into autumn; it's dark, windy and raining lightly outside the tent. We have a visitor from Greenpeace International coming today. I hope his schedule doesn't make him climb up here in these conditions.

Everyone is looking forward to the rally on Saturday, and the organisers have asked for a few of us to come along. The problem is that everyone would like to go but are too polite to say so, so we haven't really decided who's going to stay and mind the fort.

I've got a feeling it might be me though because I had a good break by going to Triabunna and being involved in the woodchip action there. It's funny that going and hanging off a giant woodchip loader and then getting arrested constitutes a break from the tree sit, but it certainly does (there was a bit of time either side of the action, so it was really nice).

We were hoping to have a day of climbing today. We have ropes to move and replace and some dead wood to remove from over a little sit in an adjacent tree, as well as the last little string of fairy lights that are way out the end of a branch. But it's too horrible out there to even think about it. All I want is a deep, hot, bath.

Keep saving the forests and the rest of the environment! Keep sending e-mails to the companies and keep telling your local politician to make it an issue.

All the best for today

- Adam

The weekend was a bit rainy and cloudy but how these giants stick out of the misty clouds – what a wonderland. But now we've got blue sky and the Tasmanian sun above us. Makes you want to move your dancing feet on the platform.

Yesterday I watched some black cockatoos nibbling on an old myrtle tree. They take bits off the bark and eat the fresh wood inside the branches. They really look quite funny with their bulky head feathers and yellow spot.

Thanks to all the children who have written us e-mails or have visited us - you are the future. Thanks to all the other tree sitters and activists out there - keep it up. Thanks to all those preparing for spreading the word for the demo for the forest on March, 13 in Hobart.

Some of the global rescue station team will be there too – we still have to draw straws for who will stay here for it. Tomorrow someone from Greenpeace International will visit us and on Wednesday a Danish film crew.

Well, well, well.... I'll go and tumble around the tree for a while now. Keep up the good work out there and we are always keen for information about what's happening around the globe.

ya basta, Jannes

We were out driving when suddenly a huge eagle with about a two-metre wingspan - 1 of 24 of Tasmania’s Wedge-tailed eagles - started flying towards us. It was just a few meters above the ground.

The majestic kings of the Tasmanian skies, an endangered species, are losing their habitats through clearfelling their forests.

I have now moved in. The people who keep the global-rescue-station running and the set up here are great. Yesterday we trained in climbing rescue for a while. We've had excellent sunny weather so we went down to the Styx river to go for a swim – yepyepyeppeldidep!
Watching the sunset over the valley and the moon come up over the Madyna-range....
good night....
and good luck with everything...
rescue our future...

- Jannes