December 18th In History: Julia Butterfly Hill Comes Down After Spending Two Years Living In A Tree

Julia Butterfly Hill (Instagram/juliabutterfly.hill)

JAKARTA - For 738 days Julia Butterfly Hill lived in a 600-year-old 180-foot-tall California Redwood tree nicknamed Luna. He lives there as a form of world awareness, that the existence of ancient forests is increasingly being threatened.

Butterfly or butterfly is a small name for Julia. As the name suggests, he has undergone a great metamorphosis in his life. Julia grew up in a deeply religious family as the daughter of a nomadic evangelical pastor who later settled in Arkansas, United States (US).

The origin of his love for redwood trees can be traced back to 1996. At that time he was in a car accident and was seriously injured.

Then during nearly a year of medical care and recovery, Julia had time to reflect on her life goals. Two weeks after being released by his doctor, he headed west on a journey of self-discovery. He didn't have a specific purpose, but the first sight of ancient redwood trees amazed him.

From then on, he began to cultivate his love for the environment, particularly activism to protect this ancient tree. Hence, when she learned that the tree's existence was threatened, Julia did not remain silent.

"When I entered the magnificent cathedral in the redwood forest for the first time, my spirit knew it had found what it was looking for," Julia was quoted as saying on her personal website, juliabutterflyhill.com.

"I knelt down and started crying because I was so overwhelmed by the wisdom, energy and spirituality that this holiest shrine has," he said.

Civil resistance

Julia, lived in a tree since December 10, 1997. About two years later, today, December 18, 21 years ago or in 1999 she just decided to go down.

His courageous resistance has received international attention for the conservation of ancient redwood trees and other environmental and social justice issues. She summarizes these problems in her book entitled The Legacy of Luna: The Story of a Tree, a Woman, and the Struggle to Save the Redwoods.

Basically why Julia did it to prevent illegal loggers from the Pacific Timber Company. With support from steel workers and environmentalists, Julia managed to negotiate on a permanent basis for the company and local regulators to commit to protecting the 1,000 year old tree and the surrounding forest covering nearly three hectares.

During her stay in the tree, Julia announced to the public that only about 3 percent of ancient redwood trees remained. Meanwhile, the Headwaters Forest Agreement, drawn up by the government and Pacific Timber Corporation or Laxxam Corporation, had absolutely no thought of that. They would not adequately protect the forest and the living things in it according to Julia.

The world knows Julia, who, when she came down, was 26 years old, as a heroine who speaks out for environmental preservation. His courage, commitment, and deep clarity in articulating messages of hope, empowerment, and love & respect for all lives, has inspired millions of people around the world.

After Julia returned to land, she traveled the world to share her experiences, and about the many lessons she had learned. At that time the book became one of the bestsellers. His audio release entitled Spiritual Activation was broadcast in almost all corners of the country.