You may have heard about the lawsuit launched by Resolute Forest Products against Greenpeace Canada and two of our campaigners who stood up on behalf of the Boreal forest. The lawsuit attempts to silence Greenpeace after we spoke out against destructive practices and a lack of respect for forest ecosystems, endangered caribou herds and First Nations rights. And it wasn’t just Greenpeace who took notice. For many of the same reasons, Resolute recently had three of its Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) management certificates suspended.
Together we need to illustrate the widespread support for our forests across this country. Join me as the urban forest unites to protect its extended Boreal family in a human banner:
1. Make your own #StandForForests ribbon or download the Greenpeace DIY Guide, write out why it matters to YOU and tie it around a tree.
2. Snap a photo of yourself with your tree and tag it with #StandForForests on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or in an email to me by March 21 – International Forest Day!
3. Watch for yourself in the online #StandForForests human banner – a map of all the supporters across the country. (But don’t forget to take down your ribbon after the campaign so it doesn’t cause any damage!)
My earliest connection was with a row of trees at the top of a hill in London, Ontario where I spent some of my childhood. I was about eight years old and I can vividly remember playing amongst them for hours, curious about the world and who I was about to become.
It was that love of trees that lead me to work with LEAF for four years as Manager of Volunteer and Community Engagement, building the urban forest movement here in Toronto and York Region - along with many of you reading this blog right now.
Just over a year ago I moved to Greenpeace Canada to continue to work for trees. To raise awareness about this serious issue, we’ve launched this campaign, to which over 50,000 people have signed their name. But the forest cannot defend itself and a pledge alone is not enough to change one of Canada’s largest forest companies.
Together let’s show Resolute that when it comes to the health of Canada’s forests, none of us will be silent.
Amanda Gomm is the former Manager of Volunteer and Community Engagement with LEAF and currently works as Volunteer Organizer for Greenpeace Canada in Ontario and the Atlantic Coast. Learn more about the campaign, the Solidarity Ribbons and how you can take part in the Day of Action to Stand for Forests on March 22nd.