Places are still available for the Gottstein Understanding Forest Science course, which kicks off on July 28th at Mooloolaba, in south-east Queensland.
“By far the best professional development I have done, during many years in the sector, was the bottom line from not one but two participants of the last course held at Coffs Harbour,” according to Helen Murray who confirmed the details about the programme to Wood Central this afternoon.
“We especially encourage all Queensland and northern NSW industry people and associates to take advantage while it’s on their doorstep,” said Suzette Weeding, chair of The Gottstein Trust, who will share her extensive experience in a session on forest biodiversity.
“There’s no doubt that interstate participants are in for a great experience seeing the nuances of forest management at the various sites on the field trips, and we’re delighted that the Forest Research Institute at the University of the Sunshine Coast is supporting program delivery for the first time.”
Course Details:
There is still time to book, and intending participants are encouraged not to delay locking in their place.
When: Registration is followed by a group meal on Sunday evening, July 28th, 2024, and the course ends late morning on Friday, August 2nd, 2024.
Venue: The Mantra Mooloolaba. Located directly opposite Mooloolaba Beach on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, it offers pleasant walking and swimming options before and after the course sessions. Accommodation is available at a special rate for course participants.
Who is presenting at the conference?
- Professor Mark Brown – the University of Sunshine Coast’s Forest Research Institute leader and also leader of USC hub of the brand new Australia Forest and Wood Innovation
- Dr Brad Law – the world’s leading koala research ecologist,
- Rob de Fegely – respected forestry sector consultant with Margules Groome and chair of Sustainable Timber Tasmania
- Lara Shaw – farm forestry expert based in Queensland
- Steve Walker – COO with HQPlantations, whose estate we will be visiting on the field trips
- Dr Fabiano Ximenes – Australia’s leading timber life cycle carbon researcher
- Jodie Mason – Forest Research Lead with Forest and Wood Products Australia
- Associate Professor David Lee – forest genetics researcher and tree improvement expert
- Michael Stephens – CEO of Timber Queensland
- Dr Will Woodgate –research scientist at the University of Queensland specialising in remote sensing technologies.
- Suzette Weeding-General Manager Conservation and Land Management with Sustainable Timber Tasmania and vice-chair of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) International Board.
Fantastic Field Trips
Two fascinating Field trips will ensure participants see diverse industry activities and sites, including a tour of a significant tree nursery, a spotted gum genetics research site, major softwood plantations, and a hardwood production site.
“The Gottstein Trust is grateful to HQP, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and Private Forests Queensland for assistance with the field trip learning program and logistics,” Ms Murray said.
In addition, Ms Murray said industry companies that generously donate to support the capacity-building activities provided by The Gottstein Trust (a registered charity) are eligible for a discount of 10% (sponsor donors) or 20% (patron donors) for the first two registrations.
“It will be another two years before this program runs again in 2026, and we don’t want anyone interested in attending to miss out on this truly valuable opportunity,” according to Ms Murray. “We would like to thank Forestry Australia and the Australian Forest Products Association for notifying their members about the course.”
“These courses build knowledge for participants from any part of the forestry and wood products sector, including service providers, and we are thrilled that they appeal to a broad cohort of industry”, Ms Weeding said. “We are focused on keeping the courses contemporary and incorporating new and emerging issues and initiatives for the forest and wood products sector”.
If you have queries about the course, email team@gottsteintrust.org or call 0419 991 424. “The friendly team will make everyone welcome next month in Mooloolaba,” Ms Murray said.