Story: Logging native forests

Beech forest

Beech forest

In the 1970s, there was controversy over Forest Service plans to combine clearfelling and managed regeneration in West Coast beech forests. Many West Coasters, aware of the local economic benefits, supported the Forest Service scheme. But groups such as Action for the Environment condemned the likely destruction of what they saw as a beautiful asset with great potential for recreation and tourism. This photograph of beech forest in the upper Grey Valley was published with a 1973 newspaper article outlining their views.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP-Agriculture-Trees-1950s to 1970s-03

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Logging native forests - Managing native forests, 1920s–1970s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12759/beech-forest (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 24 Sep 2007