The Commons Library

The Commons Social Change Library is an online library for the change makers of the world and for those interested in activism, organizing, advocacy and justice.

With over 1500 educational resources available, it's an amazing go-to place for social change research and inspiration.

Solidarity and gratitude to the legendary librarians who keep The Commons going.

Forest Resources on The Commons Library

Campaigns to End Logging in Australia

"Decades of campaigning to protect Australian native forests has led to some major changes in recent times, the biggest being that from 2024 onwards logging will end in Western Australia and Eastern Victoria. There is much to learn from these successful campaigns, as well as those that have protected biodiverse ecosystems through the foundation of new national parks and the expansion and enforcement of regulations regarding buffer zones near rivers, significant trees, and endangered species. This is not least because threats from mining, clearing and other destructive activities continue, as does the practice of clearfelling in many parts of the country.

The following two interviews with forest activists were carried out as part of the Commons Conversations Podcast series and provide insights into the effective use and practice of coalition building, campaigning, big tree hunting, and education."

Victorian Red Gum Forests: A Historic Victory

"A comprehensive case study of the successful campaign to protect Victorian Red Gum Forests. It includes the history of the Barmah-Millewa Campaign, its goals and results. Given the historic outcomes of the campaign it is worth examining how such an effective green-black alliance emerged in south-eastern Australia."

Winning Long-game, Collaborative, Grassroots Campaigns: The WA Forest Campaign Experience

"Reflections and wisdom from seasoned campaigner, Jess Beckerling from the WA Forest Alliance, who has campaigned for over 20 years to ban logging in native forests. Jess gave an inspiring talk at the FWD + Organise 2021 Conference held by Australia Progress. Here are her learnings from playing the long game."

The WA Forest Conflict: The Construction of the Political Effectiveness of Advocacy Organisations

"This article reflects on the tactics, strategy, and efficacy of two non-profit organisations involved in advocacy regarding forestry in the 1990s and 2000s. One of these, Liberals for Forests (LFF), was made up of Liberal Party supporters who were campaigning for the cessation of logging in native forests in WA, while the other, the Timber Communities Australia (TCA), represented the interests of the WA forest industries and advocated continued logging. The evaluation of their respective campaigns and how they interacted is based on analysis of media articles, interviews and historical research."

Treesits, lock-ons and barricades: Environmental blockading in the 1980s

"From 1979 to the 1990s Australia, Canadian and American activists took part in a series of environmental blockades to defend old growth forests, rivers and otherbiodiverse places. Join Iain McIntyre for a series of conversations with the blockaders who took part in these campaigns."

Reconciliation in the forest? An exploration of the conflict over the logging of native forests in the south west of Western Australia

"This 2004 book looks at why two Western Australian social movement organisations on opposite sides of the logging debate continued to contest WA’s forest policy for so long. It contains insights into why the Western Australian environment movement was successful in some aspects of forest protection. You can read the whole book at the link below, the abstract is included here as an introduction."

Om gaia dudes: The North East Forest Alliance’s old-growth forest campaign

"This book chapter by Aidan Ricketts is about the key moments and positive sides of the old forest growth campaign in northern NSW in the 1990s. The chapter explores the Northeast Forest Alliance, blockades (Chaelundi, Mt Killiekrankie, Mummel Gulf, Carrai, Wild Cattle Creek, Toonumbah, Dingo State Forest) and the wider social and cultural impacts of the forest campaign."

Campaigns that Changed Tasmania

"Lutruwita/Tasmania has a rich history of resistance and collective action. This overview provides snapshots of some of the campaigns that had an impact. Of course, there are many more. If you would like to contribute a case study contact the Commons librarians."

Campaigns that Changed Western Australia

"Western Australia is Australia’s largest state and Boorloo Perth is one of the world’s most isolated major cities. The WA activist community is collaborative and innovative, perhaps in part due to population size and the distance from other cities. This overview provides snapshots of some of the campaigns that had an impact, both historically and recently. Of course, there are many more. If you would like to contribute a case study contact the Commons librarians."