How a woman saved a 1,000-year-old tree by living on it for 738 days

In December 1997, 23-year-old Julia Butterfly Hill climbed a 200-foot redwood tree, known as Luna, in northern California. His mission was simple but profound: to save this ancient tree from being cut down by the Pacific Lumber Company, a subsidiary of Maxxam Corporation, which was clear-cutting redwoods for profit. What was initially supposed to be a few weeks of protest turned into a remarkable 738-day tree stand, a testament to his resilience, environmental advocacy and unwavering belief in protecting nature.

The environmental context

Hill’s protest was part of a broader environmental movement to preserve endangered ancient redwoods in Northern California. These trees, some over 1,000 years old, play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance. The Pacific Lumber Company, however, considered logging the forest, despite growing concerns about deforestation and habitat destruction.

The company’s aggressive logging methods, exacerbated by a hostile takeover bid, have led to widespread ecological damage, including landslides and destruction of homes. Environmentalists like Hill saw it as an urgent threat to both the environment and local communities. Luna, the tree Hill chose to protect, has become a powerful symbol of this environmental struggle.

Living in Luna: the challenges

Perched on a 6-by-8-foot platform nearly 200 feet above the ground, Hill faced brutal weather, physical isolation and psychological challenges. She survived violent storms, incessant cold and harassment from loggers. Hill’s platform was his home, his sanctuary and his battlefield. She has often described her experience as both physically grueling and spiritually transformative.

During his time in the tree, Hill communicated with the outside world via radio interviews and letters. Her courage attracted international media attention, transforming her into a spokesperson for the environmental movement. She said: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do it. »

The deal that saved Luna

After two years of negotiations and advocacy, Hill was able to reach an agreement with Pacific Lumber in 1999. Luna and a two-acre buffer were saved from logging through a conservation agreement facilitated by Sanctuary Forest, a non-profit organization that now manages the land. This victory, while monumental, came at a cost: Hill and his supporters raised $50,000, which was given to the logging company in exchange for protecting the tree. This compromise was bittersweet but marked an important step in environmental activism.

Even after Hill descended from Luna, the tree’s survival was threatened. In 2000, vandals attempted to cut down the tree, but thanks to quick action, Luna was stabilized using steel cables and the tree continues to grow under careful management.

Legacy and continued advocacy

Hill’s tree protest remains one of the longest in history, and her legacy as an environmental activist endures. She wrote Luna’s Legacyrecounting her time in the redwood, and continued her environmental advocacy through public speaking, writing, and supporting sustainable living initiatives.

Hill’s activism extended beyond forest conservation. In 2002, she was expelled from Ecuador while protesting an oil pipeline that threatened indigenous communities and ecosystems. In 2003, she participated in the war tax resistance movement, protesting the use of federal taxes for military purposes. Additionally, in 2006, she supported urban agriculture initiatives by participating in a tree planting at a community farm in South Central Los Angeles.

Her story has inspired an entire generation of activists and is often cited alongside more contemporary figures like Greta Thunberg. Hill’s decision to retreat from the public eye in recent years reflects her desire to live a quieter life, but her influence is still felt in environmental movements around the world.

A symbol of environmental resilience

Julia Butterfly Hill’s courageous 738-day protest atop Luna highlights the power of individual action in the fight against environmental destruction. Her story reminds us that even in the face of insurmountable odds, one person can make a difference. Today, Luna is a living testament to that effort, a giant sequoia that continues to thrive thanks to Hill’s dedication to preserving the natural beauty of our planet.

Hill’s legacy, like the tree she fought for, grows stronger with time, encouraging future generations to defend the environment in every way. His story remains an inspiration, proving that real change often requires perseverance, sacrifice and an unwavering belief in a better world.