Blue Derby Wild will lead a team to conduct a Tasmanian tree fern  (Dicksonia antarctica) head count in threatened forests in the Mutual Valley. These Gondwanic native forests hold vast glades of rainforest species and stands of pure Tasmanian tree ferns that will be logged to supply the national and international garden centre trade in Tassie tree ferns, sanctioned by the state government.

Tasmanian tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica) are Gondwanic remnants from a time when dinosaurs walked the earth. Growing at just 5cm a year these giants of the rainforest are long lived and critical to the biodiversity of Tasmania's rainforests. These iconic tree ferns are cut out of the forests as part of logging operations, shipped across Australia and the globe to be sold to unwitting gardeners and landscaping businesses as garden decorations, steps, border logs and garden mulch. The largest logger of Tasmanian tree ferns is located in north east Tasmania, supplying Bunnings stores and other garden centres across Australia and internationally.

​Buying into the tree fern trade is like buying into the wildlife pet trade of animals taken from the forests when they are logged, and then sold for profit. It is not rescuing the tree ferns or rehoming them. Many tree ferns do not survive being cut out of the forests, and are cut up as rounds for paving or plant pots, or mulched and  sold as compost and potting mix. The Victorian Fern Society estimates half of Tasmanian tree ferns do not survive transplanting into gardens.

All are welcome to join on Saturday May 22 from 10am. RSVP via link or go straight to https://www.bluederbywild.org/event-details/citizen-science-tas-tree-fern-survey