Earth in Balance FERNGULLY: THE LAST RAINFOREST
Our world was much larger then. The forest went on forever. We tree spirits nurtured the harmony of all living things, but our closest friends were humans. Then, as sometimes happens, the balance of nature shifted and Hexxus – the very spirit of destruction – rose up from the bowels of the Earth and rained down his poison. The forest was nearly destroyed. Many lives were lost, and the humans fled in fear, never to return. Most think they didn’t survive. It was only by calling up the magical powers of nature that I was able to trap Hexxus inside an enchanted tree and save FernGully.
— Magi Lune (Grace Zabriskie)
FernGully has been protected for many years by Magi Lune, a wise rainforest fairy with strong powers. In the opening sequence of FernGully: The Last Rainforest (Bill Kroyer, 1992), she describes a time of ecological balance and the challenges of restoring that balance. Her intention is to teach her granddaughter, Crysta (Samantha Mathis), about the interconnections between ‘all living things’ and how these interconnections can change environments.
FernGully is an animated musical fantasy that addresses the concept of sustainability. The film’s message – ‘We all have a power and it grows when it is shared’ – endorses the importance of individual and collective environmental stewardship. The Australian Curriculum places emphasis on sustainability as a priority for study:
Education for sustainability develops the knowledge, skills, values and world views necessary for people to act in ways that contribute to more sustainable patterns of living. It enables individuals and communities to reflect on ways of interpreting and engaging with the world. Sustainability education is futures-oriented, focusing on protecting environments and creating a more ecologically and socially just world through informed action. Actions
