NAME: Julia ("Butterfly") Hill
CLAIM TO FAME: Spent 738 days living in a giant redwood tree to protest the destruction of ancient forests by loggers. She came down to earth last December when a lumber company agreed to preserve the tree she nicknamed Luna. In her new book, Legacy of Luna, Hill tells the story of her fight to save the redwoods.
Q: How did you feel when your feet touched the ground for the first time in more than two years?
A: I felt a great sense of sadness, because I was leaving the best friend I ever had. I was also elated that the 1,000-year-old redwood tree was saved from being turned into someone's deck.
Q: How did you survive in the tree for so long?
A: I lived on a two- by three-meter platform. I had a solar-powered phone and radio to stay in touch with the world. Friends brought me food every few days. I'd climb the tree fir exercise.
Q: How did you spend your days in the tree?
A: I spent a lot of time on the phone with the media trying to get the message out.
Q: What advice do you have for kids who want to make a difference?
A: Everyone is an activist, whether we realize it or not. It's up to us to decide if we will take positive actions. You can make a difference by just offering whatever you do best.
PHOTO (COLOR): Julia Hill lived in this redwood tree for more than two years. She named it Luna.
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