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End the Forest Wars: MONA Founder Weighs in on Forestry Debate

More than 300 people have packed into this year's Forestry Australia symposium.


Tue 29 Oct 24

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Australia could have the best forest practices in the world; however, stakeholders—both for and against native forestry—must move the negotiations about the future of the country’s hardwood industry out of “ugly board rooms.”

That is, according to Kirsha Kaechele, co-owner of MONA and sponsor of the Forest Economics Congress, who delivered a keynote address to more than 300 scientists, researchers, forestry professionals and foresters at the Forestry Australia National Symposium in Ballarat today.

Ms Kaechele, who oversaw the highly successful three-day Forest Economics Congress last year, spoke of the importance of “radical diplomacy,” challenging all sides to be “brave enough to welcome broad conversation and invite peer review to achieve truly sustainable practice.”

Last year, Wood Central revealed that Ms Kaechele’s “dream scenario” involved developing a “roadmap” for valuing forests and a list of recommendations provided to governments to make informed decisions.

This year’s focus: Healthy and resilient forests for our future

The key theme for this year’s Forestry Australia Symposium is healthy and resilient forests for our future. According to Dr Bill Jackson, Forestry Australia’s Acting President, healthy forests can deliver various environmental, social, cultural, and economic benefits – and are much more likely to withstand future shocks and stresses, such as those generated by bushfires, invasive species and climate change. 

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Standing room only at the Forestry Australia symposium today in Ballarat. (Photo Credit: Supplied)

Among the guest speakers at the symposium was Professor Lori Daniels from the Forest Services Centre in Canada, who spoke about the need for transformative change based on active management that combines the depth of Indigenous knowledge with Western ecological science.

“In Canada, forest managers are considering a new future of diversified, proactive, collaborative and evidence-based management for forest resilience,” Professor Daniels said.

Meanwhile, Adam Fennessy, the Secretary of the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, identified the critical role forestry can play in solving many of societies’ key challenges. At the symposium, Mr Fennesy announced that the federal government will support investing in national forest policy, capacity and capability, climate change, and research and development.

  • Please Note: Wood Central will have exclusive coverage of the symposium in the coming days.

Author

  • Jason Ross

    Jason Ross, publisher, is a 15-year professional in building and construction, connecting with more than 400 specifiers. A Gottstein Fellowship recipient, he is passionate about growing the market for wood-based information. Jason is Wood Central's in-house emcee and is available for corporate host and MC services.

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