Julia Line

Julia Butterfly Hill, born Julia Lorraine Hill, is an American activist recognized for her significant environmental protest. Between 1997 and 1999, she resided for 738 days in a nearly 1,000-year-old redwood tree named Luna, located in California. Her elevated dwelling, a tent platform situated high in the tree, was a direct action to prevent Pacific Lumber Company loggers from felling the ancient tree. This prolonged tree-sit ultimately led to an agreement, ensuring the preservation of Luna and a surrounding buffer zone. Hill's activism extends beyond this notable event; she is also an advocate for tax redirection and has been involved in other environmental and social justice causes. Her experiences have been documented in her own writings and various media, inspiring others.

Prior to her tree-sit, Hill experienced a life-altering car accident in 1996 that profoundly shifted her perspective. This near-fatal incident, which left her with severe head injuries requiring extensive therapy, prompted a reevaluation of her life's priorities. She moved away from a career-focused existence towards a path of making a positive impact. This spiritual and personal quest led her to environmental activism, specifically concerning the preservation of old-growth redwood forests. Her journey into activism began after attending a fundraiser aimed at saving these forests, eventually leading her to participate in the tree-sitting protest.

Julia Butterfly Hill gained widespread recognition for her 738-day protest in a California redwood tree, affectionately named Luna. From December 1997 to December 1999, she lived in a tent suspended 180 feet above the ground to protect the approximately 1,000-year-old tree from being logged by the Pacific Lumber Company. This act of civil disobedience, undertaken after a personal crisis and a spiritual quest, brought national attention to the destruction of old-growth forests. Hill's commitment involved enduring harsh weather conditions, harassment, and isolation, all while communicating with the outside world via solar-powered phones and hosting media. Her persistence culminated in a landmark agreement where the logging company pledged to preserve Luna and a 200-foot buffer zone, in exchange for a financial contribution and a commitment to sustainable forestry research. This event highlighted the power of direct action in environmental advocacy.

Hill's life took a significant turn following a severe car accident in 1996, where a steering wheel penetrated her skull. The extended recovery period and rehabilitation offered her a profound opportunity for introspection. She described this experience as a wake-up call, realizing her previous life had been imbalanced, overly focused on career and material success. This near-death event catalyzed a spiritual journey, steering her toward a new direction and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the future. Her subsequent exploration led her to environmental causes, particularly the fight against deforestation in California's redwood regions, setting the stage for her iconic tree-sit protest.

Following her historic tree-sit, Julia Butterfly Hill continued her commitment to social and environmental change. She became a prominent motivational speaker and author, sharing her experiences and advocating for various causes. Notably, she became a proponent of tax redirection, choosing to allocate a portion of her federal taxes directly to community programs such as after-school initiatives, arts and cultural projects, and environmental protection. Hill also co-founded organizations like the Circle of Life Foundation and the Engage Network, focusing on eco-friendly initiatives and leadership training for social change. Her activism extended to protesting the sale of urban farms and opposing destructive development projects, demonstrating a consistent dedication to her principles.

“As I recovered, I realized that my whole life had been out of balance... I had graduated high school at 16, and had been working nonstop since then, first as a waitress, then as a restaurant manager. I had been obsessed by my career, success, and material things. The crash woke me up to the importance of the moment, and doing whatever I could to make a positive impact on the future. The steering wheel in my head, both figuratively and literally, steered me in a new direction in my life.”

“Nobody else would volunteer so they had to pick me”

“I'm not refusing to pay my taxes. I'm actually paying them but I'm paying them where they belong because you refuse to do so.”