On
December 10, 1997, Julia Hill ascended an ancient giant
redwood tree in
Humboldt County, CA to protest and draw attention to the mismanagement of
old-growth timberland. On
December 15, 1999, she entered into agreement with
PALCO (
Pacific Lumber Company) that the redwood (variously known as "
the Stafford Giant", to locals, and "
Luna", to Julia and her
Earth First! supporters) and the
ecosystem in which it grows (about 3 acres), shall be protected and preserved
in perpetuity.
Julia spent most of those two years perched at least 180 feet above the forest floor, enduring harrassment from Pacific Lumber employees, surviving
El Nino storms, giving interviews and contributing to the
Earth First! cause.