By Raquel Mustillo
A PASSIONATE environmentalist will cut off half his beard and hair in a unique approach to funds for endangered rainforest regeneration and conservation.
Penola resident Angus Ralton will sport a ‘half cut’ to raise money for conservation charity HalfCut, which aims to protect forests for habitat for endangered species.
Mr Ralton said he was encouraged to participate in the initiative – which also raises money to purchase properties in the Daintree National Park for conservation and prevent further development.
“If we want generations after us to see these places before they get developed or cut, we have to work to save it now,” he said.
“It’s a good opportunity to raise some money and have some fun during a miserable time.”
Despite a portion of the rainforest declared as a national park and given World Heritage Area status, two-thirds of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest has been excluded from inclusion.
More than 1100 blocks have been developed in the rainforest, resulting in the construction of 50km of roads and the building of hundreds of houses.
In the past two years, HalfCut has purchased 10 Daintree Forest properties for conservation.
“Australia has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world, which is not a nice badge to have,” Mr Ralton said.
“What HalfCut tries to do is get that land off the market and preserve it, because we need to protect what we have.”
Mr Ralton encouraged community members to join up to the initiative, with planning for an event scheduled for later this month.
“I am going to go bald and have a half beard, but you don’t need to go all out, you can braid or dye your hair and still be involved,” he said.
“I’d love to see an army of half cutters stand up in what is a half cut revolution.”
Visit go.halfcut.org for more information or to sign up.
