Tireless: Members of Save Our Strathbogie Forest pictured in 2019.
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Minna Leunig has many talents, but two of her passions are art and the environment, particularly her childhood home, the Strathbogie Ranges.
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Being one of the artists currently undertaking a wall as part of the Benalla Street Art Festival, she is keen to use her voice to call for action on deforestation and other destructive elements within the area.
“The Strathbogie Forest is the only remaining secure habitat within the entire Strathbogie Ranges for hundreds if not thousands of forest-dependant species,” Ms Leunig said.
“(One of those is) the threatened southern greater glider, whose population within the forest has been recorded as being one of the highest densities anywhere in southern Australia.”
For many years, the Save Our Strathbogie Forest community group has fought tirelessly to protect the forest and the species that call it home.
Endangered: The greater glider calls Strathbogie Forest home.
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“Firstly, against the threat of logging by VicForests,” she said,
“And more recently against Victorian State Government planned burns, which would have serious and negative effects on forest ecosystems.”
A legal challenge was recently launched by Save Our Strathbogie Forest against the state of Victoria to halt those proposed burns — the result of which remains pending.
“I am forever moved by the passion of small communities to protect the forests, oceans, deserts and rivers they are connected to — both locally and the world over,” Ms Leunig said.
“The grit, energy, determination and fundraising efforts required to push back again and again against destructive or insensitive forces is a heartening reminder of the good in humanity and what can be achieved through community action.
“Especially when the underlying energetic force is one of love.”
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