The West Australian Forest Alliance (WAFA) is an organization made up of a number of

Western Australia Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...

n environmental activist groups concerned with the destruction of

old-growth forest An old-growth forest or primary forest is a forest that has developed over a long period of time without disturbance. Due to this, old-growth forests exhibit unique ecological features. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Natio ...

s in the South West region. It has published a range of posters and documents. It is a successor to and includes membership of the earlier groups the

Campaign to Save Native Forests The Campaign to Save Native Forests (W.A.) (CSNF) was the name of a grassroots organisation which grew from a campaign started in Perth, Western Australia, in 1975, as a response to the development of a woodchipping industry in the south-west ja ...

, South West Forests Defence Foundation, Great Walk Networking, and other member groups of the Conservation Council of Western Australia. Advocacy and campaigning by WAFA and its members played a major role in the Western Australian government deciding to end the commercial logging of native forests from 2024 onwards.

History

The WAFA was formed in response to growing concerns about the logging of native forests in Western Australia, particularly in the southern forests region. Its founding members were motivated by the desire to reduce environmental degradation and protect the state's unique and biodiverse ecosystems. The alliance's early efforts were focused on raising public awareness about the harmful effects of industrial logging, and it has since grown into a key advocate for forest conservation in the state.

Mission

WAFA advocates for: * The preservation of Western Australia's native forests. * The promotion of eco-friendly forestry practices. * The restoration of degraded forest areas. * The protection of

endangered species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, inv ...

dependent on native forests. * The transition to sustainable land management practices across the state.

Activities

WAFA is involved in a variety of environmental campaigns, public education efforts, and direct action initiatives. These activities include: * Lobbying state and federal governments for stronger environmental protections. * Organizing protests, rallies, and community actions to raise awareness. * Publishing reports, fact sheets, and other resources on the status of Western Australia's forests. * Collaborating with other environmental groups, researchers, and local communities to advocate for policy changes.

Notable Campaigns

* Save the Southern Forests – A long-running campaign aimed at halting logging operations in Western Australia's southern forests, home to numerous endangered species. * End Logging in Conservation Reserves – A campaign advocating for a ban on logging within areas designated as conservation reserves in the state. * Forest Protection Zones – Efforts to establish protected forest areas that are free from commercial logging.

Recognition

The Western Australian Forest Alliance has received widespread recognition for its role in advancing forest conservation and environmental activism. It has been instrumental in achieving legislative changes and halting certain destructive logging practices in key forest areas.

Affiliated groups

The WAFA lists the following member groups (as of May 2023): * Albany Community Environment Centre * Balingup Friends of the Forest * Barrabup Conservation Group * Blackwood Environment Group * Bridgetown-Greenbushes Friends of the Forest * Busselton Dunsborough Environment Centre * Conservation Council of Western Australia * Denmark Environment Centre * Dwellingup Discovery Forest Defenders *

Friends of the Earth Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) is an international network of grassroots environmental organizations in 73 countries. About half of the member groups call themselves "Friends of the Earth" in their own languages; the others use other ...

WA * Friends of Gelorup Corridor * Friends of the Greater Kingston Forest * Friends of Porongurup Ranges * Great Walk Network * Greater Beedelup National Park Society * Jarrahdale Forest Protectors * Margaret River Regional Environment Centre * Nannas For Native Forests * Peel Preservation Group * Quinninup Environmental Documenting * South Coast Environment Group * South West Environment Centre * South-West Forest Defence Foundation * Stop the Forest Losses * Warren Environment Group * Wilderness Society WA

References

Sources

* Crawford, Patricia, and Crawford, Ian (2003) ''Contested country : a history of the Northcliffe area, Western Australia''. Nedlands, W.A. : University of Western Australia Press. "The Charles and Joy Stapes South West Region Publications Fund" * Lines, William J. (2006) ''Patriots : defending Australia's natural heritage'' St. Lucia, Qld. : University of Queensland Press, 2006. * Schultz, Beth (1997) ''Giblett Block. – W.A. Forest Alliance outlines the significance of this old growth forest and reasons for its preservation.'' Great walk news July 1997, pp. 1–3

External links

*{{official website Nature conservation in Western Australia Environmental organisations based in Australia Forests of Western Australia