The South west of Western Australia is probably the most pristine environment in the world to be inhabited by western culture. We consider ourselves very fortunate and privileged to be here.
"Forest" links
Western Australian Forest Alliance
- a community alliance for the protection of our forests
Forests and Logging
- a page from Trinity College's P L Duffy Resource Centre
These links will each open in a new window . . so we don't lose you!
Our inheritance is a glimpse of ancient Gondwanaland: a rare ecosystem that has evolved without major geological upheaval for many millions of years. The south west forests are renowned throughout the world as a "botanical hotspot" - more diversity per square metre than nearly any where else. There has been much controversy over the intrinsic value of "Old Growth Forests" versus logging for profit, and years of peaceful protest and action has resulted in the current state government implementing some much needed reforms - including the nearby Walpole Wilderness, a proposal that will see much forest protected for the future. (see WAFA . . .) It is no coincidence that it rains more where there are trees! The continual evaporation of water cools the atmosphere enough to allow the condensation of water - rain! Removal of trees, even "bush", keeps the rain clouds from condensing, and the rain stops falling. Rainforest becomes desert. It's happened all too often.
Denmark still has many pockets of "bush" , all vulnerable to real estate development and wineries. Living Waters has 45 acres (14 ha) of bush, or two thirds of the property; it is our mission to preserve the integrity of this forest, whilst making use of its resources in a sustainable way. By clustering the housing lots, less land has to be "hazard reduced" to protect buildings from bush fires; everyone enjoys living on a "bush block", and the wildlife habitat and corridors are protected. The forest also protects the water supply and is a living seed bank.
Disturbance in the forest gives rise to a profusion of flowers - forest tracks are the most abundant . Coppicing, the use of re-sprouted growth from tree stumps, results in diversity of ecosystems within the forest.
Wildflower harvesting and honey production could also sustain the forest ecosystem and provide some economic return.
See the main sub division proposal containing the Forest Management Plan, and a list of floral species identified - nearly 100.
