Environmental Forestry 2024: Empowering the Next Generation of Environmental Foresters

The Environmental Forestry 2024 event, proudly supported by the WIDE Trust, showcased the convergence of industry expertise and youthful innovation. Bringing together over 150 representatives from the forest industry, local and central government, the event provided a comprehensive platform for discussing, learning, and networking about sustainable forestry practices.

A Gathering of Environmental Stewards

The event attracted a diverse array of attendees, including environmental foresters, senior operation managers, regulatory and compliance staff, national government agency personnel, and forest engineering contractors. The central aim was to share knowledge and improve outcomes across various environmental objectives, extending beyond the management of production forestry operations.

Key Topics and Discussions

The programme featured a range of case studies and discussions on pivotal topics such as:

  • The new Government’s Policy Environment

  • Industry-wide Research Perspectives

  • Case Studies from Large Environmental Projects beyond Forestry

  • Continuous Cover Forestry – International Practices

  • An Iwi Perspective on Forestry Environment Management

  • Wilding Conifers

  • Workshops and Interactive Audience Discussions

Supporting Young Innovators

The WIDE Trust sponsored the attendance of seven young graduates, providing them with a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders and deepen their understanding of contemporary forestry challenges. The selected participants were Zizi Hayward, Callum Hartley, Jack Truelock, Josh Pepperell, Folkert Burger, Emma Walters, and Maria Babbington.

Insights from the Next Generation

Zizi Hayward highlighted the impact of the presentation by Courtney Hamblin from Zero Invasive Predators, which effectively communicated strategies for tackling invasive pests. She also found Jodanne's PhD research on kea compelling, particularly the insights into how kea utilise pine plantations for feeding and nesting. Zizi appreciated the networking opportunities and the in-depth pre and post-conference workshops.

Josh Pepperell valued the insights on the new slash regulations under the NES-CF. He was particularly impressed by a speaker who detailed the use of drones for measuring slash volumes and assessing the risk of mobilisation, which has enhanced compliance and prioritisation of high-risk areas. The pre-conference workshop provided Josh with a broader understanding of regional complexities in consenting and compliance.

The Future of Environmental Forestry

The Environmental Forestry 2024 event underscored the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in the forestry sector. By bringing together experienced professionals and young innovators, the event highlighted the potential for innovative solutions and sustainable practices in forestry management.

The WIDE Trust is committed to supporting the development of future leaders in the forestry industry. By supporting events like Environmental Forestry 2024, the Trust aims to foster a new generation of environmental foresters equipped with the knowledge and skills to tackle the pressing challenges of our time.

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