Yesterday, on the eve of World Environment Day and with both houses of Parliament sitting, the new Stop the Fuckery campaign and accompanying website, Victorians for Nature, were officially launched as a statewide push to expose the loopholes, backflips and broken promises quietly undermining nature protection across Victoria.
From forests logged under the guise of “fire management”, to stalled national parks, stripped funding and ongoing habitat destruction, the campaign aims to document what’s really happening on the ground and make it impossible for decision-makers to ignore.
Importantly, the campaign is not just about naming the problem. The website makes it easy for people to take direct action, with a one-minute email tool that sends a message to the Premier, the Environment Minister and local MPs calling for real protection and accountability.
As we head toward the 2026 state election, public pressure matters more than ever. Quiet concern won’t stop the destruction of forests and wildlife habitat - visible, collective action just might.
In this edition:
- Upcoming Forest Events across Victoria
- Lighter Footprints Forests Working Group update
- People Power for Forests, support the VFA Chuffed campaign
- Victorian Forest Survey Group joins the VFA
- EJA webinar, Not Out of the Woods: The Risk of RFA 2.0
- Treaty milestones and Reconciliation Week
- Nature Walk and Talk at Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary
- Upcoming BEAM events and Greater Glider surveys
- New study highlights serious health risks from smoke pollution
- Citizen reports on planned burns, please get in touch
Grab a cuppa and read on :)
Upcoming Forest Events
We have a busy few months ahead with screenings, forums and community conversations focused on forests, fire, climate and the future of Victoria’s public lands. Please save the dates and keep an eye out for further details.
Sunday 14 June, 4pm
Forest Country screening — Kew Court House
Saturday 4 July, 7pm Facebook
Forest Country: The End of Logging in Victoria? Unpacking the Truth — Cameo Cinema, Belgrave
Tuesday 28 July, 6.30pm Facebook
Forest Country: The End of Logging in Victoria? Unpacking the Truth — Carlton
August Forest Events Series
A major week of forest-focused events featuring Dr Philip Zylstra, with most events also including screenings of Forest Country. More information and ticket links coming in next month’s newsletter.
Tuesday 11 August, (time TBA)
Hawthorn Arts Centre
Dr Philip Zylstra and Natalie Hogan (Environmental Justice Australia)
Wednesday 12 August, 7pm
The Hurstbridge Hub, Eltham
Forest Country & Dr Philip Zylstra
Thursday 13 August, 7pm
The Memo, Healesville
First Lore, Forest Country & Dr Philip Zylstra
Friday 14 August, 7pm
Peninsula Cinemas, Rosebud
Forest Country & Dr Philip Zylstra
Saturday 15 August, time (TBA)
Slipway Sheds, Lakes Entrance
Forest Country, Emerald Link & Dr Philip Zylstra
Lighter Footprints Forests Working Group Update
LFFWG at the March for Forests in March with Adam
Lighter Footprints is home to an active Forests Working Group and a key local contact for forest advocacy.
In recent months, the group has prepared a submission on the draft MNES National Environmental Standard, written to Labor MPs urging them to reject the Timber Fibre Strategy, supported broader environmental campaigns for nature protection, and called on local MPs to close ongoing logging loopholes. Members have also joined local tree planting events and community actions across the electorate.
Save the Date: The group is now organising a major public event on Tuesday 11 August at 7:30pm at the Hawthorn Arts Centre featuring Dr Philip Zylstra and Natalie Hogan (Environmental Justice Australia). The forum will explore prescribed burning, forest flammability, and logging loopholes ahead of the upcoming election. A range of environmental organisations will also host stalls on the night.
People Power for Forests – VFA Chuffed Campaign Launched
Bringing together community support for on ground action, advocacy, and long term forest protection. Every contribution helps strengthen this movement and keep momentum growing.
Victorian Forest Survey Group Joins VFA
We’re excited to welcome the Victorian Forest Survey Group to the VFA. Operating for just a few months, the group is already doing important on ground work across St Andrews, the Central Highlands and East Gippsland, surveying forests scheduled for planned burns and documenting threatened species and biodiversity. Their work highlights both the incredible wildlife found in these forests, including Greater Gliders, Glossy Black Cockatoos and Southern Toadlets, and the impacts planned burns can have on ecosystems and communities.
The group is also documenting post burn damage, including collapsed habitat trees and burnt hollows, and aims to share its findings through reports, social media and articles.
If anyone is keen to help conduct surveys or assist with documenting our results, including report writing, social media posts, editing, or creating short documentaries in these wonderful areas, please get in contact by sending us an email at - [email protected]
Not Out of the Woods: The Risk of RFA 2.0
Environmental Justice Australia’s upcoming webinar, Not Out of the Woods: The Risk of RFA 2.0, will explore growing concerns that new EPBC reforms could recreate or expand the loopholes that have long exempted native forest logging from proper federal environmental scrutiny.
To unpack what’s at stake, what stronger regulation could look like, and how communities can push for real forest protection.
The discussion comes as the Biodiversity Council warns that handing environmental approval powers to the states without strong national standards would be “premature and high-risk”, potentially weakening protections for threatened species and forests even further.
Treaty Milestones and Reconciliation Week
Last month marked an important milestone for Treaty in Victoria with the establishment of Gellung Warl, the new body created through Australia’s first Treaty, alongside the appointment of new Co Chairs for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
Meriki Onus & Djaran Murray-Jackson were elected to serve as Assembly Co-chairs.
The milestone came alongside National Reconciliation Week and serves as an important reminder of the ongoing work of truth telling, justice and genuine partnership with First Peoples in caring for Country and shaping Victoria’s future.
Nature Walk and Talk at Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary
Join ACF Eastern Rosellas for a guided afternoon at La Trobe University’s beautiful Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday 6 June. Explore this remarkable wetland habitat that is home to hundreds of indigenous plant and native wildlife species, through relaxed walks, talks and community connection. Family-friendly art activities will also run earlier in the day as part of the ACF Wild at Art event.
Saturday 6 June | 2pm–4pm
Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary, La Trobe Avenue, Bundoora
Upcoming BEAM Events: Forest Restoration and Greater Glider Surveys
Regenerating Native Vegetation Workshop
Join botanist Karl Just for an on farm workshop exploring how to regenerate native vegetation to better match the ecology of native forests. This event is organised by Dabyminga Landcare and South West Goulburn Landcare Network as part of the Farm Blitz program (2025-26). The workshop is supported by BEAM Mitchell Environment Group, and is funded by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority through the 2025-26 round of the Victorian Landcare Grants.
Saturday 13 June, 9am–1pm
Near Tallarook Forest
Free event including light lunch. Bookings essential.
Between Two Trees by Paul Macgregor
Greater Glider Surveys – Tallarook & Mt Disappointment Forests
BEAM Mitchell Environment is continuing its Southern Greater Glider surveys across Tallarook Forest and Mt Disappointment, building on more than 200 sightings recorded since 2020. Surveys are helping map the species’ range beyond former logging coupes and support ongoing forest protection efforts.
Greater Glider by Norm Stimson
New Study Highlights Serious Health Risks from Smoke Pollution
Planned burn April 2026 in the Dandenong Ranges
A major Australian study has found strong links between air pollution and increased hospitalisations for asthma, respiratory and heart conditions, with researchers warning there is “no safe level” of exposure to fine particle pollution. The findings add to growing concerns about the health impacts of smoke from bushfires and planned burns.
Read the ABC report and full study here.
Citizen reports on Planned Burns – please get in touch!
Photo credit: Bertram Lobert
The season of planned burns is upon us. FFMV has lit up thousands of hectares across forest and other natural bush landscapes in Victoria in Autumn 2026.
VFA would love to know if you see anything that concerns you or your local group – we’re compiling information for our campaigns. Has a planned burn escaped, damaging people’s properties? Have threatened wildlife been affected? Have you seen other negligence or unnecessary damage to biodiversity?
Please let us know about current or past problems.
Thank you from all of us at the VFA 
Your support, your voice, and your actions are what give Victoria’s forests a fighting chance. Together, we make a difference.
With heartfelt thanks and solidarity, lets
Nic- Secretary, Victorian Forest Alliance
https://www.victorianforestalliance.org.au/
We acknowledge that the Victorian Forest Alliance operates on the sovereign land of First Nations Peoples. The forests we defend and restore are unceded Lands.
We recognise and respect that the forests we work to protect exist on a number of Sovereign Aboriginal Nations, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.