Patagonia calls for end to native forest logging

PATAGONIA Torquay has premiered a short film in a bid to end native forest logging in Victoria’s Central Highlands and create the Great Forest National Park (GFNP) in its place.

The company used its environmentally-backed business clout to elevate the issue during the state election campaign by showing End to an End: Running to save the Great Forest at its Torquay store on Friday last week.

It is one of eight screening locations between the Surf Coast and Gold Coast showing the film, which features trail runner Majell Backhausen traversing the proposed GFNP from its west to east boundary, running 273 kilometres in four days.

Mr Backhausen is drumming up community support through a “Thank You for not Chopping Here” campaign, spruiking the new national park, which is typified by its mountain ash forests, and also home of Australia’s most endangered species, the Leadbeater’s possum.

“It’s something that, hopefully, we will be able to use to advocate for these forests, lands and animals, and the protection that needs to be put upon this place,” he said.
As Patagonia’s sports community manager for Australia and New Zealand, Mr Backhausen is combining his passion and his work to inform others about the issue, and what can be done to help.

“Trail running has become a home, somewhat of a lifestyle, for me,” he said.

“You lean into it when you can, really enjoy it, and the next thing you know you’ve got these unexpected opportunities and a whole different life you never saw.”

The Victorian government has committed to phasing out native forest logging by 2030, but locals and scientists Mr Backhausen meets in his journey say the ecosystems may not survive the  transition.

Supports also argue the issue should be front of mind for all Victorians given the forest’s critical importance as a carbon sink, a filter for water catchments and habitat for the Leadbeater’s possum, Victoria’s faunal emblem.

For more information, head to patagonia.com.au/notchopping