Olivia and the Tasmanian Giants
Last year environmental activist Olivia met and fell in love with a group of Tasmanian giants - the ancient trees of the Styx Valley in Tasmania, majestic eucalypts whose hollows and branches provide homes for birds, insects and small mammals.
In the Styx Valley trees such as the eucalyptus regnans can grow up to 100 metres tall and more than 20 metres wide. They can even live for more than 400 years.
“This forest is all about beauty, peace, tranquillity and animal habitat. This is where they live and deserve to live, and we’re taking so much of it away from them,” says Olivia.
“I want my daughter and her children and their children to see this, and they should be able to.”
The visit strengthened the Planet Ark supporter’s resolve to encourage schools, businesses, community groups and individuals to get involved in National Tree Day on July 27, which is organised by Planet Ark in association with Toyota and AMP Foundation.
In 1999 Tasmanian loggers cleared 10,600 hectares of native and old-growth forest. In 2001 the figure jumped to 15,000-and it is tipped to rise further.
“Billions of trees have been chopped down over the past 200 years. It’s so important to plant as many native trees as we can.”
Olivia’s eco tip: “They say If you drive a car you should plant trees to compensate for the emissions from your car. Hopefully I’ve got good car karma now, because I’ve planted 10,000 trees on my property!”
Olivia has also cut down her car emissions further by changing to a less-polluting Toyota Prius, a greener electric hybrid car