People are still needed to help defend East Gippsland's old-growth forest. With numerous people arrested, the urgent need is now for contributions to legal defence. The forest has a lush rainforest understory, with identified stands of mixed forest throughout the coupe. This rich habitat is home to the endangered Powerful Owl and Sooty Owl, the whole suite of Gliders, a rich variety of birds and other old-growth dependent species. Shining Gums, 4m wide and 60m tall, over 250 years old stand over ancient Sassafras rainforest.
Gliders shriek as they dive out of the canopy, wary being in Powerful Owl territory.
Morning sunbeams feed the tree-ferns, a bird chorus begins, until the sound of chainsaws rips it all apart. There are two National Biological Sites of Significance, each only 300m from the current logging site. Neither of these aims have been met, with the forest being completely clearfelled, with only 1 tree every 50m left. The blockade calls for the area to be properly surveyed and assessed, with a view to adding the area to the Errinundra National Park, to which it is adjacent Breaches of both the East Gippsland Management Plana nd the forest Code of Practice have been documented in the coupe. On June 6th it will be argued in Court that this makes the logging operation unlawful.