Future of Indigenous forestry

Highlighting Indigenous forestry enterprises at the Institute of Foresters National Conference 2017

"Tropical Forestry: Innovation and Change in the Asia Pacific Region" is the theme for the Institute of Foresters of Australia’s conference on 14 - 17 August 2017 in Cairns. 

This theme recognises the rich history of Australian Foresters who have contributed to the development of the professional practice of Forestry in South East Asia and the Pacific as well as at home.

Tropical and temperate forest managers should attend the conference where they will find sessions covering subjects such as:

·       Indigenous commercial forestry,

·       Conservation management in the tropics,

·       Tropical plantation success drivers

·       Certification and sustainability impacts on forest practice,

·       Forestry role in emissions reduction, and

·       Innovative forest industry development

Dr Kevin Harding, Convener of the conference said, ‘One session that delegates may find of particular interest is Indigenous Commercial Forestry.

‘Delegates will hear from speakers such as Rob De Fegely talking about Indigenous economic development while Mark Annandale will discuss Bauxite mining and Indigenous community forestry.

‘A session about Building Aboriginal enterprises in NSW state forests will be led by John Shipp and Kathy Lyons while David Lee gives a very topical perspective from Cape York about Sandalwood for Indigenous commercial forestry.

‘These presentations will follow nicely from the keynote address given by Noel Pearson, one of Australia’s foremost Indigenous leaders.

‘What a lot of people don’t know is that 30 per cent of Australia’s forests are owned, managed or controlled by Indigenous people’, said Kevin.

http://www.ifa.consec.com.au/register.html

Media contact: Dr. Kevin Harding 0410471957