The Five Forests: Tilba, Bermagui, Murrah, Tanja, Wapengo, are part of the Bateman bioregion.
NEWS ALERT: Forests NSW is currently conducting logging activities in the Five Forests, with more critical koala habitat under threat in the near future. Read more
Who are Friends of Five Forests?
The Friends of the Five Forests (FOFF) are a community group implementing an integrated approach to natural resource management on the south coast of New South Wales in Australia. Decades of ignorance and greed have had a massive negative impact on the environment of the Bateman Bioregion. Intensive broad-acre logging and burning have degraded our forests to the point where we risk losing the remaining forest cover.
Eucalyptus forests are declining due to dieback associated with Bell-miners in wetter areas and dry weather and drought on ridges and slopes. Most of our coastal estuaries are rapidly filling with sediment. Native animal species that are critical for forest health and growth are extinct and plant species are also being pushed to extinction.
The last sightings of endemic Koalas on the South Coast were in the Five Forests and this population was nominated as endangered and likely to become extinct in 2001. Despite the fact that there have been no sightings of koalas outside the Five Forests the NSW Scientific Committee refused to support the nomination.
These steep coastal catchments have been subject to sustained intensive logging to meet unsustainable woodchip quotas and repeated burning over the past three decades. The continuing degradation of these forests threatens:
- Flora and fauna biodiversity and consequently our climate
- The quality and quantity of water in rivers, streams and estuaries
- The fishing industry
- Oyster Farmers
- Aboriginal Heritage Values
- Tourism
- And our much loved recreational natural amenity.
FOFF believe it is time for positive change to the way we manage our soil, water, flora and fauna so that the environment, the community and the economy can all benefit.
Review fact sheets on koalas, catchments, dieback, and forest management claims.
Read more about FOFF's management and research proposals
See Sustainability Day information sheets (5 November 2006)
Or see how can I help?