West Australian Forest Alliance

The West Australian Forest Alliance (WAFA) is an organization made up of a number of Western Australian environmental activist groups concerned with the destruction of old-growth forests in the South West region. ^[1]

It has published a range of posters and documents. ^{[2] [3] [4]} It is a successor to and includes membership of the earlier groups the Campaign to Save Native Forests, 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. ^[5]

Western Australian Forest Alliance

Abbreviation	WAFA
Type	Non-governmental organization (NGO)
Purpose	Environmental protection, forest conservation, advocacy for sustainable forestry practices
Headquarters	Perth, Western Australia
Location	Western Australia
Region served	Australia
Website	www.wafa.org.au

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 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): ^[6]

• 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 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

See also

• Woodchipping

Newsletter

• The Real forest news. Perth, W.A. : Western Australian Forest Alliance, 1992–1995. Ed. 1 (Dec. 1992)-ed. 6 (Feb. 1995).
• Forest campaign bulletin. Perth, W.A. : Western Australian Forest Alliance, 1994-
• Western Australian forest times. Perth, W.A. : Western Australian Forest Alliance, 1999 irregular

References

1. Beckerling, Jess (2021). "Winning Long-game, Collaborative, Grassroots Campaigns: The WA Forest Campaign Experience". Commons Social Change Library. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
2. Western Australian Forest Alliance (1900), Western Australian Forest Alliance : collection of posters , retrieved 20 May 2023
3. Western Australian Forest Alliance (1995), Big forest rally, [s.n.], retrieved 20 May 2023
4. Conservation Council of Western Australia; Wilderness Society (W.A.); Western Australian Forest Alliance (1999), Forest information resource kit : an introduction to some key issues in the forest debate in Western Australia, The Council, retrieved 20 May 2023
5. Hardinge, Alice; Beckerling, Jess (16 January 2024). "Campaigns to End Logging in Australia (Commons Conversations Podcasts)". The Commons Social Change Library. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
6. "The Alliance". WAFA. Retrieved 19 May 2023.

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. ISBN   1-920694-00-5 "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. ISBN   0-7022-3554-7
• 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