28th August 2023 Newsletter
PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Once again, the forestry industry has found itself in the spotlight due to a windthrown site which sent logs and mud over SH35. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the incident's visual impact is far from positive. As expected, the anti-forestry voices have seized the opportunity, using the incident to their advantage. Even the Prime Minister commented on it. As a result, I participated in a TV3 interview, which boiled down a ten-minute conversation to a mere ten seconds. Despite this, I believe we must continue engaging with the media. Our presence is vital not only to correct misinformation but also to demonstrate our genuine concern and commitment to improving our practices. We mustn't allow others to dictate our narrative.
In our latest journal, I'm pleased to highlight an insightful piece by Councillors Rob Millar and Andy Wiltshire. This article delves into our social license in the upper South Island. While acknowledging room for improvement, the piece recognises numerous positive initiatives undertaken by many of you. Although discussing these achievements within our circles is great, we must also share these success stories with a wider audience. The general public remains unaware of our industry's accomplishments, and it's time we change this. I encourage you to share your positive examples with me, enabling me to incorporate them when engaging with the media in the future.
Recently, I had a productive meeting with Forest and Bird's CEO. While initial scepticism existed, I believe common ground can be found for collaboration. If we can have organisations like Forest and Bird advocating for professional forest management, our message gains more traction. Similarly, my upcoming meeting with the CEO of Federated Farmers holds promise for shared goals. These partnerships carry more weight than individual efforts in promoting our cause.
I have also been in discussion over the last fortnight with "Wahine in Forestry" (WIF), which was started to address concerns from female students at the School of Forestry that the sector was male dominated, old fashioned and not able to accommodate their needs in the workplace. Additionally, as we are aware, there is a very small number of females (18%) working in the forest sector, and many young female graduates only work for one or two years and leave the sector. By linking these students with women who are currently working in the sector and providing them with skills, reality and experiences linking them to forestry workplaces, WIF hopes they will ensure they remain in the sector and provide the platform to encourage more women to enter the sector.
I discussed our Women in Forestry Special Interest Group, which, while not particularly active as a Special Interest Group, it does have the support of Council and NZIF. We are going to look at ways where NZIF and WIF can work together to promote WIF, in a similar way we have with Future Foresters. It would be fantastic to get our Women in Forestry SIG working closely with WIF building a similar momentum as Future Foresters.
Looking forward, our 2024 conference in Nelson from September 5th to 7th, themed "Sowing Tomorrow's Forests - Sustainable Practices for a Resilient Future," is on the horizon. We've begun seeking sponsorship, which is critical to keeping attendance fees low and recognising our sponsors' contributions. If you're interested in supporting us, please reach out for a sponsorship package. To those who have already agreed to a package, I thank you, and for those of you who have received a pack but have not settled on a package, I encourage you to contact me to discuss options.
I'm honoured to be speaking at the Carbon Conference in Rotorua this week and presenting at the TIF conference in Wellington on September 14th. I am working hard to advocate for all forests and for professional management of all forests. However, if you feel there is more we can do, please let me know. I thank those members who do write to me with ideas and thoughts and encourage you to continue to do so. While I try to respond to you all, sometimes it takes a few weeks for me to get around to it. As a voluntary role I hope you will grant me a bit of leeway on timing.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the above two conferences and as always, I welcome discussion on any issues within this newsletter.
EVENTS
Future Foresters Planting Day
Future Foresters are hosting a native planting day on the 2nd September 2023, with Ecan at McLeans island.
We would love to have as many of you along as possible - with the School of Forestry invited so it should be a good outing, with some food and drinks provided afterwards.
Meeting at 10:00am at this location: -43.4679028, 172.4811918.
The first right off Mcleans Island Road after Coringa golf course.
To Register: Please email Dom: Dominic Cleary if you intend to go.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Dominic Cleary
Wāhine in Forestry Breakfast
Date: 13th September 2023
Where: Rydges Hotel, Rotorua
Cost: $35.00
Speaker: Dr Elizabeth Heeg
Wāhine in Forestry is a dynamic and inclusive collective aimed at supporting women in the forestry sector of New Zealand. This growing community comprises women with diverse roles within forestry, united in their mission to exchange personal and professional insights, learn from experts, network, provide mutual support, and celebrate their significant contributions to the sector.
The vision of Wāhine in Forestry is to encourage and empower women to thrive in New Zealand's forestry sector. Its mission is to establish a vibrant community that supports, connects, and advocates for women in forestry. This mission is pursued through initiatives promoting gender equality, professional development, and networking opportunities. We focus on education, learning, connection, support, and celebration.
Log Market Update
Chris Rayes
Marketing Director, Rayonier Matariki
Chris will be speaking to the group re: Log Market Update
Date: Wednesday, 20th September 2023
Time: 5:30pm
Location: School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, Forestry Road, Christchurch
2023 ANZIF Conference
Date: Sunday 15 to Wednesday 18 October 2023
Location: Twin Towns Conference Centre, Gold Coast, QLD
Website: www.forestryconference.com.au
The 2023 ANZIF Conference, the premier Asia-Pacific Conference for forest scientists, foresters and forest growers will be held from Sunday 15 to Wednesday 18 October 2023.
The theme of the conference, Embracing Our Natural Capital: The Science, Technology and Art of Managing Forests For All Values, will facilitate conversation and collaboration – highlighting the need for active and adaptive management of our natural capital using evidence-based and emerging innovation, technology, skills and knowledge to support our forests and secure our future.
The program will facilitate both structured and informal dialogue and networking, and will incorporate a day of field sessions to explore the conference themes. The 2023 ANZIF Conference will also feature a number of social functions, which will enable networking and collaboration in an informal and relaxed environment.
The Conference is an exciting joint event from both Forestry Australia and The New Zealand Institute of Forestry – and it builds on the enormous success of the 2019 ANZIF Conference held in Christchurch, and Forestry Australia’s 2021 National Conference in Tasmania. In 2023, the ANZIF Conference will be based in the spectacular Gold Coast region, and will be held at Twin Towns Conference Centre on the border of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta.
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2023 ANZIF Conference!
