WoodChat

WARNING - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised this episode may contain the names or voices of deceased people.

A recently completed research project has showcased great potential for the development of sustainable native forestry activities in the Northern Territory led by Traditional Owner communities.

In this episode of WoodChat, we hear from two of the leading researchers from this project - Northern Territory Government Project Manager Dallas Anson and University of the Sunshine Coast Associate Professor (Adjunct) Mark Annandale.

Dallas and Mark discuss their involvement with the initiative, which aimed to boost the forestry capacity of Indigenous communities in the East Arnhem region.

During the episode, listeners will also hear from Indigenous project participants, Mabo Mununggurritj and Balupalu Yunapingu about their experiences.

The project saw training offered to Traditional Owners in operational skills and forest management principles, and the establishment of a Sustainable Native Forestry Demonstration Site where products were manufactured from locally harvested timber.

Other activities included raising stakeholder awareness of the value of sustainable Indigenous-led commercial forestry, and the exploration of potential business development opportunities.

With thanks to the Traditional Custodians of the Gumatj lands.

Read more about this project: https://fwpa.com.au/report/indigenous-commercial-forestry-opportunities-east-arnhem-northern-australia/

In 2023, the FWPA-supported Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life entered an exciting new stage in its evolution with the appointment of its new Director, Professor Tripti Singh.

With more than 20 years of experience in managing collaborative, multi-million-dollar research programs, Professor Singh is a leading figure in wood protection research.

In this episode of WoodChat, we catch up with Tripti to find out about her plans and vision for the future of the Centre.

We also speak to the researchers heading up two key Centre-led projects - one that's investigating the termite resistance of fast-grown plantation heartwood timber species, and another that's focused on improving the environmental profile of treated timber by identifying appropriate alternative uses for it at end-of-life.

This episode we take a focus on biosecurity. You’ll hear about three exciting research initiatives aimed at improving Australia’s protection measures to help mitigate the risks posed to our forests by exotic pests and diseases.

Lucy Tran-Nguyen, GM of Partnerships and Innovation at Plant Health Australia, tells us about The National Forest Pest Surveillance Program - also known as Forest Watch Australia - which commenced on the 1st of July 2022, and recently completed its first full year of activity.

Lucy also told us about The MyPestGuide Trees app, which equips all forestry stakeholders with the tools to do their bit and help minimise the damage caused to Australian forests and trees by the presence of exotic pests and diseases.

In addition, you'll hear from Dr Madaline Healey, Research Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Forest Research Institute, about work to improve risk management for invasive forest pests and diseases right across the South East Asia region.

Today we bring you the second part of our focus on the latest initiatives from the FWPA-supported ForestLearning program.

Tune in for everything from ForestLearning resources that utilise the latest technologies, to award wins, outstanding feedback from kids and teachers, and much, much more!

In today's episode, we focus on the latest achievements of the FWPA-supported ForestLearning initiative.

And with so much exciting news to report - from new and highly innovative resources, to award wins, glowing testimonials from kids and teachers, the embracing of new technologies such as drones, and much, much more - we’ll be presenting this episode in two parts … a first in the history of WoodChat!

So make sure to keep an eye out for Episode 2 next week.

During the latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast series, listeners will hear from two thriving Australian forest and wood products companies adopting smart manufacturing principles.

Applying these principles during the wood processing stage brings a range of benefits, including increased profitability, improved worker safety, and better environmental outcomes.

Hosts Sam and Georgia spoke to Trevor Innes, Technical and Sustainability General Manager at Timberlink, and Daniel Wright, Director and National Business Development Manager at Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH), about some fascinating recent innovations in timber manufacture.

In the face of a climate likely to become hotter and drier in the future, and with bushfires continuing to pose a significant threat, a variety of forestry-related research initiatives are currently underway across Australia.

As an industry, forestry is particularly vulnerable to bushfire threat, with the associated risks having the potential to impact plantation companies, native forest managers, wood processors and manufacturers in a variety of ways.

The latest episode of WoodChat focuses on a recently-completed FWPA-supported research project aimed at increasing the industry’s capacity to minimise the impacts of future bushfire events. This work is focused on updating fuel accumulation and fire spread models for Australian forestry plantations. The project was co-funded by most of Australia’s large plantation managers, with matching funding from the Australian Government.

During the episode, we also provide a round-up of other interesting projects around bushfire mitigation and management happening around Australia.

Discover more about what you hear during the episode at the following links:

https://www.forestry.org.au/nbmp-objectives-kpis/

https://fwpa.com.au/characterising-and-managing-fire-risks-to-plantations-under-changing-climates/

djadjawurrung.com.au

A hugely positive mid-term review of the FWPA-supported National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life has resulted in the extension of the Centre’s important research activities for a further five years, with the potential for three more.

The latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast series features an interview with Director, Professor Jeff Morrell, who talks about the evolution of the Centre since commencing in 2017, its work to place Australia at the forefront of international best practice, and efforts to underpin consumer confidence in timber products.

Listeners will also hear directly from scientists involved with exciting Centre-led research projects.

Transcript: https://fwpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FWPA_WoodChat_transcript_episode-26.pdf

Discover how new research into priority areas identified by Australian forest growers will be addressed, thanks to six new PhD research scholarships at the University of Tasmania.

The research projects were selected for funding by a working group of FWPA and forest grower members, known as the Grower Research Advisory Committee (GRAC).

Successful PhD students will work to address a wide range of challenges, from the risk that browsing herbivorous mammals pose to plantations, to traits in genetic material that affect resistance to drought, heat, diseases and pests. Also covered will be management approaches to help maximise tree survival under various conditions.

For each of the six projects, GRAC members and companies with a particular interest in each specific research area will become project partners and/or advisors, meeting regularly with supervisors and students in either a formal or informal capacity, to allow industry direct input into the projects.

Discover an approach that will enhance the Australian forestry industry’s sustainability credentials through improved use of natural resources.

Learn more about a recently completed FWPA-commissioned report which lays out a series of sample ecosystem accounts for use by the forestry industry.

Plus discover how one Australian forestry company is leading the way by committing to the development of an annual report relating to its own activities in this area.