DELORAINE, Tas — An international conference to foster cooperation between environmentalists in countries whose temperate forests are facing overcutting, uncontrolled clearing and environmental stress is planned for November 16-17.
Conference organisers point out that while the world's attention has focused on the destruction of tropical rainforests in the underdeveloped nations, the temperate forests of the northern and southern hemispheres are "at crisis point".
"These forests, found mainly in the industrialised nations, have been ruthlessly exploited for centuries", say the organisers. The two-day conference, to be held in Deloraine, will examine the threat to the forests and discuss an international action plan to "combat the excesses of unsustainable production".
Keynote speakers include British conservationist Professor David Bellamy and the University of Tasmania's Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick. For more information, phone (003) 622713 or write to the organisers, "Towards a Global Temperate Forest Action Plan", Deloraine Environment Centre, 112 Emu Bay Road, Deloraine Tas 7304.