Environmental movements in Australia

1. Environmental movements in Australia

2. Your goal To comprehensively evaluate the role of specific environmental movements in changing relationships with outdoor environments. This will be studied in relation to the following: Wilderness Society Movement: Franklin River Campaign Victorian National Parks Association Movement: Victorian Environment Friends Network

3. History of environmental movements • From a (pre colonial) indigenous perspective the existence of environmental groups would have seemed absurd, as they could not conceive the idea of anyone negatively impacting the environment. • However the first settlers had little or no regard for the environment. For them they were more concerned with harvesting resources and trying to convert it to a more European and less intimidating and hostile place. • The first Australian environmental movements were bushwalking groups such as the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, formed in 1880. In the 1900’s Environmental groups slowly grew and were fundamental in setting aside National Parks and crown land however they could be considered more conservation that environmentalism.

4. Changing relationships Pre 1960’s This era was concerned with conservation of wilderness areas and the setting aside of National parks. 1960’s onwards The beginning of the ‘hippy counter culture’ era included people moving ‘back to the land’ and increasing activism such as blockades to stop logging of old growth forests. 1990’s onwards Growing international focus including global warming.

5. 1909 Wildlife Preservation Society of Australia founded, Australia's first national conservation organisation1931-1933 Campaign by bushwalking clubs and conservationists to establish the Blue Gum Forest near Blackheath in the Blue Mountains as a nature reserve; one of the first campaigns to protect a wilderness area in Australia. 1952 The VNPA was formed.1957National Parks Association created.1966 Australian Conservation Foundation set up.1973 Lake Pedder in Tasmania flooded by hydro-electricity dam.1976 The Tasmanian Wilderness Society (later to become The Wilderness Society) set up at a meeting at Bob Brown's home in Tasmania.1979 Protests at Terania Creek in northern NSW as part of the Save the Rainforests campaign with protestors blocking logging; the first large, on-site, "direct action" environmental protest in Australia.1982-3 Blockades and direct action campaign to prevent damming of the Franklin River.1983 Hawke ALP Federal Government grants South West Tasmania World Heritage status to prevent damming of the Franklin River by Tasmania's Hydro-Electric Commission following a grassroots campaign.1984 Tasmanian Wilderness Society becomes a national organization as The Wilderness Society.1997 Kyoto Protocol; Australia under PM John Howard refuses to ratify.1998 Protests stops Jabiluka uranium mine in Kakadu.2005 Kyoto Protocol comes into effect - Australia and USA only first world countries not signed on2007 Australian Greens raise representation to five federal members, achieve full political party status. 2010 After persistent work by the VNPA, the Victorian Government established almost 100,000 hectares of new River Red Gum national parks in northern Victoria.

6. How have environmental movements changed our relationships with outdoor environments? • Some have played a significant role in developing an understanding of the environment and the need to protect the environment. • These groups have influenced government policy and individual opinions into placing a higher value on our local and national environments. • More people joining local conservation groups like ‘Landcare’ and programs like ‘Land for wildlife’. • Changing their habits with activities that impact the environment such as burning off, disposing of rubbish, tree removal etc.

8. The Wilderness society. • Purpose is protecting, promoting and restoring wilderness areas. • Is not for profit, has no political affiliations is community based and has a policy of non violence. • Best known for their successful campaign to stop the damming of the Franklin River in Tasmania.

9. The Wilderness society. Overview • The Wilderness Society is a national, community-based, environmental advocacy organisation whose purpose is protecting, promoting and restoring wilderness and natural processes across Australia for the survival and ongoing evolution of life on Earth. • The Wilderness Society works through the avenues of public education and empowerment, advocacy and negotiation, and desk and field research. The Wilderness Society is politically unaligned, but uses democratic processes to maximise wise conservation decisions.

10. ‘Save the Franklin’ Read over the Franklin River Article Answer the Following questions: • What was the issue at the Franklin River? • What effect has this initial campaign had on environmental movements (“Green campaigns”)? • What effect would damming have on this river (up and down stream)? • Why is this case seen as a turning point for Australia’s thinking about the environment? • This movement was the beginnings of the Wilderness Society. How has this movement and group changed people’s relationships with the Franklin River and other local areas?

12. Brief History • In 1952, when the VNPA was formed, Victoria had just 13 national parks and no National Parks Act. Today, largely due to the VNPA's efforts, Victoria has 45 national parks, 13 marine national parks, 11 marine sanctuaries and numerous other parks protected under the National Parks Act. • In 2010, after years of persistent work by the VNPA, the Victorian Government established almost 100,000 hectares of new River Red Gum national parks in northern Victoria. • In recent years the VNPA was behind the successful campaign to create a world first system of marine national parks that collectively protects 5% of Victoria's coastal waters. • VNPA was also instrumental in ensuring that the Victorian Government ended licensed cattle grazing in Victoria's magnificent Alpine National Park.

13. What do they do? The VNPA is the leading voice for nature conservation in Victoria, and meets regularly with heads of government agencies and State Government ministers. Donations give them the capacity to make a real difference to nature conservation in Victoria. They educate the community, industry and government on conservation issues by actively encouraging community involvement in conservation and appreciation of nature and national parks through community education work.

14. In what ways do they work? Victorian Environment Friends Network • Everyone needs a friend. That includes our special wild places. VNPA hosts a Friends Network for more than 200 "Friends of" parks groups throughout Victoria involved in tree planting, weed control, walk track planning and other activities. Community outreach • The VNPA runs the largest bushwalking and activities program in Victoria, including walking, canoeing and cycling. They also run Walk, Talk and Gawk -rambles with an expert naturalist guide. • The VNPA has also produced many books on conservation issues in Victoria as well as the popular "in flower" field guides and "discovering our parks" guides.

15. How have we seen this in action? The first Friends group was… Friends of Organ Pipes! This group was established in 1972 as a committee of the VNPA. Later the VNPA obtained support from the National Parks Service to form a number of Friends groups for national parks. Friends groups vary in size, activities and structure. Some meet weekly, many meet monthly, and two, Friends of the Little Desert and Friends of Wyperfeld, meet once a year. Most groups have their own member newsletter.

16. What you know about it? You may need to do further research here (150-200 words) • How is this association financed? • How has the VNPA impacted/influenced an environment near you? • Has this changed people’s relationships with this area? • How has this personally impacted your experiences at this place?