Talk about going out on a limb! Since December 1997, Julia Hill has been living high in the branches of a redwood tree. She sleeps on a wooden platform and gets food deliveries from supporters. Hill, who goes by the name Butterfly, is there to protest the logging of redwoods in the California forest where she lives.
Last week Hill's cause got a big boost from the government. State and federal officials made a deal with the Pacific Lumber Company, which owns the Headwaters Forest in Sacramento, California.
The U.S. paid Pacific Lumber $480 million for 12 square miles of the forest and two other redwood groves. The land and ancient trees that grow there will be set aside as public nature preserves.
"These redwoods are a natural treasure," said President Bill Clinton. "I am truly grateful that we are able to bestow this priceless gift on generations to come."
Still, some environmentalists, including Hill, would like to see even more forests protected. Until that happens, Hill has vowed, she will not budge from her tree.
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March 12, 1999 Vol.4 No.20
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