Julia Hill

Inspirational People 

Environmental activist Julia Hill lived in a 1500-year-old California redwood tree for 738 days to prevent it from being chopped down by a company. She successfully saved the tree.

Julia Butterfly Hill, born on February 18, 1974, is an American environmental activist known for living in a 200-foot California redwood tree named Luna for 738 days from December 10, 1997, to December 18, 1999. Her tree-sit was an act of civil disobedience to prevent the Pacific Lumber Company from cutting down the tree. Hill ultimately reached an agreement with the company to save Luna and other redwoods. She is the author of the book "The Legacy of Luna" and co-author of "One Makes a Difference." Hill's activism has been featured in various media, including films, documentaries, and music. She has also been involved in other environmental causes and founded the Circle of Life Foundation

Julia Lorraine Hill is an American environmental activist and tax redirection advocate. On December 10, 1997, Hill ascended the redwood tree to a height of 180 feet (55 m). Hill lived on two 6-by-4-foot (1.8 by 1.2 m) platforms for 738 days. Luna's trunk was her sidewalk and exercise treadmill. Hill learned many survival skills while living in Luna, such as "seldom washing the soles of her feet, because the sap helped her feet stick to the branches better." 

Hill used solar-powered cell phones for radio interviews, became an "in-tree" correspondent for a cable television show, and hosted TV crews to protest old-growth clear-cutting. With ropes, Hill hoisted up survival supplies brought by an eight-member support crew. To keep warm, Hill wrapped herself tightly in a sleeping bag, leaving only a small hole for breathing. For meals, Hill used a single-burner propane stove. Throughout her ordeal, Hill weathered freezing rains and 40 mph (64 km/h) winds from El Niño, helicopter harassment, a ten-day siege by company security guards, and attempted intimidation by angry loggers.

A resolution was reached in 1999 when the Pacific Lumber Company agreed to preserve Luna and all trees within a 200-foot (61 m) buffer zone. In exchange, Hill agreed to vacate the tree. In addition, the $50,000 that Hill and other activists raised during the cause was given to the logging company, as stipulated by the resolution. The $50,000 Earth First! paid to Pacific Lumber was then donated to Humboldt State University as part of the agreement for research into sustainable forestry.

Hill and the events were featured in the 2010 Michael P. Henning documentary film Hempsters: Plant the Seed.

Vandals later cut the tree with a chainsaw. A gash in the 200-foot (61 m)-tall redwood was discovered in November 2000 by one of Hill's supporters. Observers at the scene said the cut measured 32 inches (810 mm) deep and 19 feet (5.8 m) around the base, somewhat less than half the circumference of the tree. The gash was treated with a herbal remedy, and the tree was stabilized with steel cables. As of spring 2007, the tree was doing well with new growth each year. Caretakers routinely climb the tree to check its condition and to maintain the steel guy wires.