The NSW native forest industry understands the importance of education and outreach to schools. That includes Andrew Hurford, CEO of Hurford Hardwood, who is based in the north coast and mid north coast NSW, has made a huge effort for more than a decade to speak to the young people in his region.
A keen participant in local shows and school visits, he understands the importance of reaching out and addressing difficult questions. “We are obvious businesses in our communities and frequently sponsor sporting clubs, schools’ events, festivals, field days and the like, and it is so important to ensure you are part of the community,” he said.
He said that many timber businesses underestimate the value of spending time with kindergarten, primary and high schools when you understand the ideology that many of them are taught during the school year. Young people often ask direct and challenging questions, but if you answer them honestly and provide the scientific basis behind forestry, they are generally accepting of the need for a forest industry.
According to Hurford, the Hurford Group decided many years ago to support Forest Learning and has provided a significant amount of the vision and photographic material for their educational programmes. “We have just finished covering the Lismore and Kyogle Shows, which and Primex Field Days at Casino, and during the past few years we also exhibited at Nimbin,” he said.
The Commonwealth-supported North East Regional Forestry Hub has begun exhibiting at local agricultural shows and regional shows. “It’s good to watch people listen to the experts and the science.”
