Patagonia

There’s something troubling happening in Australia’s southern waters. Warming oceans around Australia – particularly in the southeast corner – are seeing the traditional ranges of some marine species extend further south (including destructive, invasive species like the long-spined sea urchin), while many cold-tolerant marine species are struggling to adapt. Jock Serong examines the shifting sands in his piece, The Southward Stampede which is live now on the Roaring Journals. Sadly, a warming ocean isn’t the only threat these waters currently face. There are plans to conduct the largest 3D seismic blasting survey Australia has ever seen to search for gas deposits under the seabed. Stretching from northwest Tasmania all the way across to the South Australian border, the blasting area is almost the size of Tasmania itself and threatens numerous marine species including the blue and southern right whale. The plan is currently with the offshore industry regulator NOPSEMA, although public comment on the plan officially closes tonight at midnight. To lodge your opposition head over to Australian Marine Conservation Society and Surfrider Australia who have links and tips.

Read the Story: https://bit.ly/45pajTy

Take Action: https://bit.ly/3s6QOAK

Photo: Craig Parry

Take action for Australia’s native forests: join us live and loud on the Roaring Journals on Saturday 19 August.

We’ll be streaming live from the Bob Brown Foundation rally right outside the Australian Labor Party’s National Conference in Brisbane. This is a critical moment. As the ALP debates the future of our forests inside the conference, we must send a clear message that our community wants to see an end to native forest logging right across the country.

Join Dr Bob Brown, Victorian forest campaign legend Sarah Rees and thousands of forest lovers across the nation as we stream the rally live on the Roaring Journals.

RSVP to get notified at the link below.

https://bit.ly/3DO6hIp

A vast area of Australian marine habitat is under threat from a ‘monster’ seismic blasting survey currently being assessed for approval. Stretching from northwest Tasmania, across the Otway Basin and all the way to the South Australian border, the area totals 5.5 million hectares – almost the size of Tasmania – and is the first step in developing the area for offshore gas production. “Seismic blasting is deadly for marine life and can impact all levels of the food chain from its very foundations, killing zooplankton more than a kilometre away, to deafening whales,” says Louise Morris of the Australian Marine Conservation Society. “Marine life will be bombarded by 220-250 decibel explosions of sound – louder than a bomb blast – every 10-12 seconds for several months.” The blast area includes habitat critical to the blue whale, the largest animal on earth. The environment plan for the blasting survey has been lodged with the industry regulator but is only open for public comment for 30 days. The comment window closes on August 11. To find out more about the blasting survey – and how you can make a public comment through .au and – read the full story on the Roaring Journals at the link below.

https://bit.ly/3OEHADx

“It’s time to end native forest logging, nationally,” says Bob Brown. “Like whaling in 1978, logging of native forests should be brought to an end in 2023."

Dr Bob Brown shares how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can intervene and how the rallies over the coming weeks will increase urgency in this age of extinction.

"Albo: it’s time! And you can do it!"

Read A Word From Bob Brown now on the Roaring Journals at the link below.
https://bit.ly/45bBW29

Photos: 1, 2, 4. Courtesy of Bob Brown Foundation 3. Tim Cooper

Join us for a screening of The Giants.

We’ll be hosting a series of screenings in support of the rallies being held around Australia calling for an end to native forest logging alongside conversations with some special guests from the Bob Brown Foundation.

The Giants explores the intertwined fates of trees and humans in this cinematic portrait of environmental folk hero and gay icon Bob Brown who took green politics to the centre of power. From a seedling to forest elder The Giants interweaves Bob’s story with the life cycle of the ancient trees he is fighting for.

Visit the link below to find your local screening.
https://bit.ly/3LrzBJz

These events will take place on stolen land. Patagonia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land and sea Country. We pay our respect to their elders, past, present and future.

We want to see an end to native forest logging – now and nation-wide.

The Bob Brown Foundation is hosting Three Days of Action for Native Forests. Three days to build volume across the country. We’re calling on the government to end of native forest logging, protecting threatened wildlife, climate and communities.

Get along to your local rally and make your voice heard.

11 August: Coffs Harbour

12 August: Canberra, Melbourne, Ulladulla, Albury, Perth, Hobart, Lismore, Sydney

13 August: Armidale

19 August: Brisbane

In support of the rallies we’ll be screening The Giants film in our Melbourne, Torquay and Burleigh Heads stores.

Head to the link below to get more details.
https://defendthegiants.org/events/

Right now, we have climate change combined with overfishing, combined with water pollution off the land – it’s when we see the worst decline in the ocean’s health.

“This is one of the most important reasons why marine parks are a good solution for ocean health — they build resilience on the face of multiple impacts,” shares Adele Pedder who is the Protected Areas Manager with the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

In a recent interview on the Roaring Journals, Adele explores the how marine parks and sanctuaries recover coral bleaching, restore fish stocks and conserve biodiversity.

Read the full interview through the link below.

https://bit.ly/44RKv1T

Photos: 1. Zoe Strapp 2/3. SA Rips

Join us in Byron this Thursday night for the premiere of Farm Boys – the world's only hardcore surf and gardening show.

Farm Boys sees earth wizards Heath Joske and Addy Jones build a garden paradise in the dry Australian bush from some old junk, a handful of seeds and a lot of hard work. Through the six-part series, they catch up with a bunch of friends who’ve all made a life out of growing their own food, in their own backyards, in their own way.

The Farm Boys themselves, Heath and Addy will be hosting the premiere in Byron this Thursday night, July 27th at the Byron Community Centre.

Book your tickets at the link below.

https://bit.ly/43untxd

Photo: SA Rips

This is a free event that will take place on the lands of the Arakwal, the Minjungbal and the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung Nation. Patagonia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land and sea Country. We pay our respect to their elders, past, present and future.

Rusty Miller will be 80 this year. He's still rocking off at Lennox Point and taking off on the best set waves. Born in Southern Californian, Rusty was the 1965 United States Surfing Champion. He moved to Byron Bay in 1970. Since then, he’s lived, surfed, taught and written about surfing – all while being an integral member of the community.

Listen to Rusty's recent conversation with WaterPeople Podcast on the Roaring Journals – link below.

https://bit.ly/3JVQye0

Photo: Danielle Smith

Rising, warming seas are front of mind for anyone living on the coast.

In a recent interview on the Roaring Journals, Adele Pedder, Protected Areas Manager with the Australian Marine Conservation Society, explores how marine parks work now and what needs to change to make them work for our future.

Read the full interview through the link below.

https://bit.ly/44RKv1T

Photos: 1. Katey Shearer 3. Ula Majewski

Rachel’s Farm follows Rachel Ward – actor, director and now farmer – as she transforms her cattle farm into a carbon-sequestering, biodiversity haven through regenerative farming practices. It's a glimpse into how agriculture and our food system can be harnessed as a powerful solution to climate change that's good for us, farmers, and the planet.

Join a screening at Palace Byron Bay on 25th July. The evening will include a Q&A with Rachel Ward, Andrew Cameron, Mindy Woods and Lorraine Gordon. Plus, Patagonia Surf Ambassador Heath Joske will be there to share his regen wizardry and ensure no compost joke goes unturned.

Book your tickets at the link below.

https://bit.ly/3NY33XC

Introducing the world's only hardcore surf and gardening show.

Earth wizards Heath Joske and Addy Jones set about building a garden paradise in the dry Australian bush from some old junk, a handful of seeds and a lot of hard work.

Throughout the six-part series they catch up with a network of surfing friends who’ve all made a life out of growing their own food, in their own backyards, in their own way.

Join the Byron premiere and celebrate the launch of the series alongside some of the wizards themselves on July 27th at the Byron Community Centre.

Book your tickets at the link below.

https://bit.ly/43untxd

Photo: SA Rips

This is a free event that will take place on the lands of the Arakwal, the Minjungbal and the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung Nation. Patagonia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land and sea Country. We pay our respect to their elders, past, present and future.

“Imagine swimming in a washing machine with a bag of concrete and lifting that bag up to your face so you can focus, compose the shot, getting all of your shutter settings, aperture iso right, getting no water droplets on the front element while the ocean is pushing, pulling, gurgling and crashing all around you. It can be physically exhausting at times. Your ‘studio’ can kill you, but it offers up some of the most precious moments of life in between.”

Ray Collins is a self-taught ocean photographer.

Photos: Ray Collins, Richard Robson

The Great Forest Trail Marathon is back for 2023.

The track you know and love (with a few tweaks) is open for registration. Enjoy running through the majestic mountain ash forests of Victoria’s Central Highlands and the Yarra Ranges.

It’s time to establish the Great Forest National Park and protect these forests for good. Support the campaign. Hit the track on Sunday 12th November.

To find out more and register, visit the link below.

https://bit.ly/3O4U0pa

Photos: 1. Chris Taylor 2. Bryan Hynes

This event will take place on Taungurung and Wurundjeri land. Patagonia and Great Forest Trail Marathon acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land. We pay our respect to their elders, past, present and future.

“Here’s what must happen next,” offers ecologist and conservation scientist, Professor David Lindenmayer after the Victorian government announced the end of native forest logging in the state. “Restoring the forest offers the opportunity to put something better in its place.”

Professor Lindenmayer and fellow researcher Chris Taylor talk through the scale of the problem, the challenges ahead and how to centre solutions around empowerment of First Nations people.

Read the full story on Roaring Journals – link below.
https://bit.ly/3XADNex

Photos: Jarrah Lynch

No PFC’s on a powder day.

Lasting weather protection with less environmental impact. After multiple years of testing and revision, We have removed perfluorinated chemicals from 100 per cent of our Powder Town Series, without sacrificing reliable performance. Enjoy PFC-free party laps in Powder Town.

Learn more at the link below.
https://bit.ly/42V7UhI

Photos: 1. , 2.

It's time to protect Australia’s ocean, for good.

Australia was once a global champion of ocean conservation. In 2012 our network of marine protected areas covered over 3,000,000 square kilometres of ocean, right around the country. But in 2018, the Australian government downgraded the protection of these marine ecosystems by more than 1,000,000 square kilometres, opening up huge areas to offshore oil and gas and to destructive industrial trawling. This included an area in the Coral Sea three times the size of Victoria — the single greatest downgrade of a protected marine area anywhere in the world. It's time to change course and protect Australia’s ocean, for good.

Read the full story on Roaring Journals – link below.

https://bit.ly/3WS9D61

Photo:

Small towns along the Victorian and Tasmanian coasts are currently being visited by representatives of the offshore gas industry, there to tick the ‘community consultation’ box as they look to have new seismic blasting and gas production approved by the industry regulator. But what actually happens inside these meetings? Jock Serong attended his local town hall at Port Fairy, where the gas exploration zone comes within five kilometres of the town’s beaches. He found the locals were largely unimpressed, by both the gas industry’s plans for the town… and the jelly slice they served at the meeting.

Read the full story on Roaring Journals – link below.
https://bit.ly/3IRXLuN



Photo: Hayden O'Neill

“Can you imagine Australia without Bob Brown?”

It’s a good question. Certainly, Bob’s home state of Tasmania would today look dramatically different without him. Much of its wilderness – forests, rivers, oceans, wildlife – would no longer be wild, that’s for sure.

The documentary film, The Giants, explores the life of Bob Brown and the towering legacy of the unlikely activist and conservationist.

Read the film review on Roaring Journals and find your local screening – link below.
https://bit.ly/3IPypho

“Today is a day for celebrating,” says ecologist and conservation scientist, Professor David Lindenmayer. “At last, Victoria’s government has acted for the future. Preserving our native forests is worth much more in carbon storage, water production and tourism than they ever were as woodchips. Victoria’s move is a clarion call for other Australian states still doggedly logging their precious forests.”

His story reflecting on yesterday’s historic decision to end native forest logging in Victoria, “After the Chainsaws, the Quiet” (co-authored with Chris Taylor) is live now on Roaring Journals – link below.

https://bit.ly/3q4sVsu




Photo: Majell Backhausen

BREAKING: In a huge win for the environment, the Victorian Government today announced an end to native forest logging across the state from early 2024, six years ahead of its previously scheduled phase-out date. The move acknowledges that native forest logging in Victoria is neither economically nor environmentally sustainable. Alongside the announcement, the Victorian state budget included $200 million in transition funding for local workers and communities. The news is a huge win for grassroots campaigners across the state who have been fighting for decades to prevent the destruction of Victoria’s fragile native forests and the fauna that calls them home. It’s also a major boost to the prospects of the Great Forest National Park being established in Victoria’s Central Highlands sometime in the near future. Patagonia congratulates the forest defenders and community groups across the state who have fought long and hard to save these precious forests for future generations.

Photo: Know Studio



Congratulations to our grantees and partners Great Forest National Park, Great Forest Trail Marathon, Kinglake Friends of the Forests, Warburton Environment, Goongerah Environment Centre, Wilderness Australia, Victorian Forest Alliance, Environment Justice Australia, Friends of Leadbeater's Possum, Friends of the Earth Melbourne and WOTCH.

Escape your four bedroom esky.

Jane Hilliard — building designer, beachcomber and changemaker — leans into the the many ways to truly build a better world... Starting with your dream home.

Jane asks us, “How much is enough?”

Read the full story on the Roaring Journals in the link below.

https://bit.ly/3W1scUP

Writer: Ula Majewski
Photos: Ula Majewski and Natalie Mendham

“The ‘Legrope Law’ is a flimsy attempt at grappling with the very real and new-ish pressures on lineups,” writes Lauren Hill of Byron Shire’s decision to mandate legropes at local breaks. “It will probably do very little to impact safety. The passing of this leggie law feels like a turning point where we can either take responsibility as a community, or we hand it over to outside entities.”

Read Lauren’s full story in the Roaring Journals below.

https://bit.ly/41mkPsc

Writer: Lauren Hill
Photo: Nathan Oldfield

WILD LIFE follows conservationist Kristine Tompkins on an epic, decades-spanning love story as wild as the landscapes she dedicated her life to protecting.

After falling in love in midlife, Kris and the outdoorsman and entrepreneur Doug Tompkins left behind the world of the massively successful outdoor brands they’d helped pioneer – Patagonia, The North Face and Esprit – and turned their attention to a visionary effort to create national parks throughout Chile and Argentina via their non-profit Tompkins Conservation.

WILF LIFE chronicles the highs and lows of their journey to affect the largest private land donation in history.

Directed and produced by Oscar®-winning filmmakers Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin

For more information and to join us at one of our upcoming screenings, please follow this link: https://www.patagonia.com.au/pages/events

Q***R CLIMBING: “THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT CLIMBING BEING AN EPHEMERAL ART PIECE. THIS PERFORMANCE FOR NOBODY.”

Esther Renita (they/them) is a climber, guide, artist and founding member of ClimbingQTs, a LGBTQ+ social climbing community and advocacy organisation working to make climbing more accessible and inclusive. Since this interview, Esther’s completed "Smear Campaign" on Dyuritte (Mount Arapiles) – a grade 28 climb.

Esther invites us to explore our identity through climbing.

Read the story on Roaring Journals through the link below.

https://bit.ly/3Vy9S5r

For 25 years, in a shed in the corner of Patagonia’s Ventura parking lot, a bunch of surfers have been squirrelling away on the idea of making an (almost) unbreakable, high performance surfboard. The operation has gone under a few different names, but is today known as FCD.

Led by board shaper, Fletcher Chouinard, the team remain blindingly focused on the goal of making durable boards that shred… unless of course there’s waves, in which case they just go surfing. Foam Dust tells the story of this rolling experiment, and the people who’ve devoted themselves to it.

Read the review and watch the film on Roaring Journals through our below.

https://bit.ly/44fw2gW

THE BEACH CLEAN AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD: PLASTIC RESPECTS NO MAP

Lutruwita/Tasmania's southwest coast is home to the most extraordinary beaches. But this remote ecological wonderland is getting thrashed by a wave of polluting plastic that chokes up the ocean and washes onto the sand, causing all sorts of unfortunate havoc. And so every year my mates and I steam west on an epic expedition to remove tens of thousands of items of rubbish from the most beautiful place on earth.

Read the story on Roaring Journals through our link below.

https://bit.ly/3Aa1y1V

Writer and photos: Ula Majewski

THE BIG CLIMATE BILL: SAFEGUARDING THE CLIMATE OR THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY?⁠
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After months of argument, fierce criticism and vast volumes of hot air, the Australian government’s centrepiece climate bill targeting big carbon polluters looks like it will pass through parliament after a deal was struck yesterday with the Greens.⁠
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As far as climate deals go, this was a big deal.⁠
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Read the breakdown of the deal on Roaring Journals through our link below.

https://bit.ly/3JWt1Zo
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Writer: Sean Doherty
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Photo: Jarrah Lynch⁠
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