The Bob Brown Foundation + Patagonia celebrate global support of World Heritage Protection of takayna/Tarkine with help of Republic of Everyone

In June 2018, Patagonia launched the film takayna. In the months that followed, 270 000 people from around the world signed the petition calling for Tasmania Premier Will Hodgman to nominate takayna/Tarkine for World Heritage protection.

On the 27th of November, Patagonia and the Bob Brown Foundation banned together for the World Heritage Protection of the Tarkine region (takayna) in front of the Tasmanian Parliament. Since the event last Tuesday, the Bob Brown Foundation has been able to present the petition to Parliament, the biggest presented in Tasmania’s history.

This rally was held to mobilise local Tasmanians on Parliament Lawns in Hobart to demonstrate strong local support, but also to stress that the protection of takayna is not just a local issue, it is now also of global concern.

The evening started with the screening of Patagonia’s documentary ‘takayna’ and then a series of passionate speeches were given by key stakeholders from the Bob Brown Foundation, including Bob Brown. Adalita from Magic Dirt even made a last-minute performance in the rain, as a sign of her strong advocacy for the rainforest’s protection.

As a feature, 20-metre-tall faces of supporters from around the world were projected onto the tree canopy facing Parliament, as if the trees themselves were asking for the Tarkine’s protection.

Some 500 locals stayed through the evening to watch the spectacle and to show their support, despite the increasing rain.

The Tarkine must be protected. It is home to one of the last undisturbed tracts of ancient rainforest in the world, and one of the highest concentrations of Aboriginal archaeology in the southern hemisphere, however this unique ecosystem continues to be threatened from logging, mining and off-road vehicle damage. More information can be found on the Bob Brown website or by watching ‘takayna‘.

The petition which is still running, can be found at change.org/takayna.

Patagonia: Naima Wilson

Head of Design: Claire Sutton