VOICES FROM THE FOREST - UNCLE MICKLO JARRETT: CARING FOR COUNTRY IS CALLING FOR FOREST PROTECTION

Uncle Micklo Jarrett, a respected Gumbaynggirr Elder and Aboriginal language teacher, has dedicated his life to caring for Country and sharing the importance of protecting Australia’s native forests. His story is one of deep connection, cultural responsibility, and hope for a future where people and nature thrive together.

Lifelong respect and responsibility towards the natural world

Growing up on the Bellwood Aboriginal reserve near Nambucca Heads, Uncle Micklo’s earliest memories are of playing in the bush, swimming in rivers, and learning from the animals and plants around him. “Our playground was the swamp and the bush,” he recalls. These experiences instilled in him a lifelong respect for the natural world and a sense of responsibility to care for it.

For Uncle Micklo, nature is not separate from people. 

“My favourite tree is the bloodwood tree”, Uncle Micklo shares. “We call it Wuubanga”. 

“The young men used to go up and get initiated, and they come back from initiation and the sap from the blood wood is sort of like an antiseptic and they put it on their wounds. Then when they come back, they sing a song about the tree. It goes:

The bloodwood flowers are raining down

It's off to the mountains, to the west

To the house of the kangaroo

Where the bloodwood flowers rain down”

“We are nature, we are part of nature,” he says. This perspective is at the heart of his advocacy, reminding us that healthy forests are essential for the wellbeing of all Australians,now and for generations to come.

The Importance of Listening to Traditional Owners

Uncle Micklo’s advocacy for ending native forest logging is grounded in the principle of respect,both for the land and for the people who have cared for it for thousands of years.

He highlights that, historically, decisions about land use were made without consulting Traditional Owners. “They didn’t get permission from the people who lived on the land,” he explains. “We looked after this place for thousands of years.”

He believes that genuine consultation and partnership with Aboriginal communities is essential for effective forest management. By listening to Traditional Owners and drawing on their knowledge, we can find solutions that benefit both people and nature.

The Impact of Logging on Culture and Wildlife

Uncle Micklo has seen firsthand the impacts of native forest logging on cultural sites, wildlife, and the broader ecosystem. He speaks about the loss of sacred trees and the threat to animals like koalas and greater gliders, which are not only important species but also totems for his community.

“When they go in there and chop down these trees, they’re impacting our culture,” he says. Uncle Micklo’s words remind us that forests are more than just trees, they are living landscapes that support cultural practices, biodiversity, and community wellbeing.

A Vision for the Future

Despite the challenges, Uncle Micklo remains optimistic. After over 10 years of campaigning with Gumbaynggirr community members, he still envisions a future where native forests are protected, and sanctuaries are created for wildlife. He supports initiatives like the Great Koala National Park, which will safeguard critical habitat and cultural sites.

“In the next five to ten years, I’d love to see all logging stopped in old-growth areas,” he shares. “We need places for our animals to live, and for our culture to continue.” Uncle Micklo also hopes for opportunities for Elders and young people to work together in caring for these special places, sharing stories, and passing on Knowledge.

Working Together for Lasting Change

Uncle Micklo’s message is one of collaboration and shared responsibility. He encourages all Australians to work together —Traditional Owners, conservation groups, government, and local communities—to protect our forests. “We all belong to the Earth,” he says. “If we protect our forests, we are protecting ourselves.”

His advocacy is a powerful reminder that caring for Country benefits everyone. By ending native forest logging and supporting the regeneration of forests, we can help ensure a healthy, resilient environment for people and wildlife alike.

Uncle Micklo Jarrett’s story is a call to action for all of us. By listening to Traditional Owners, respecting cultural connections, and working together, we can create a future where Australia’s forests are valued and protected. As Uncle Micklo says, “Everything is connected. If we look after nature, nature will look after us.”

We all need trees – to breathe, to belong, to survive. But Australia is still logging native forests. 

We’re calling on our leaders to end this destruction. Add your name to thousands of voices calling to end native forest logging in Australia before it’s too late.

It’s time to end native forest logging in NSW.