Forestry Australia has reported another year of solid growth, with membership rising to more than 1100, an increase of 20 % in three years.
CEO Jacquie Martin said she was particularly delighted that student and young professional membership had doubled over the same period, now making up 16%.
“These members are the next generation of leaders in our sector and bring an amazing energy to Forestry Australia,” Ms Martin said.
“The growth in their membership highlights increasing recognition of the importance of our professional association in fostering a bright future for Australian forestry.
“In addition to this, representation of women in Forestry Australia continues to grow with over a quarter of members identifying as female.”
With this membership growth, 85% of members who participated in the 2023 member survey reported being either satisfied or highly satisfied with their membership. In 2019, just 59% reported being satisfied or highly satisfied.
Ms Martin said the increase in member numbers and growing satisfaction within the membership resulted from the hard work and passion of over 120 volunteers, the board’s strategic focus, and the high levels of service and commitment to members provided by the national office.
“It is clear that forestry professionals and forest growers are responding to Forestry Australia’s momentum and the expansion of services and benefits that are offered, including our webinar and mentoring programs, the launch of our Agroforestry Special Interest Group, and the highly successful 2022 Albury symposium,” she said.
“In addition to this, investing in advocacy, through the appointment of science policy officers, as well as prioritising the review of the registered forestry professional scheme, demonstrates that Forestry Australia is positioning itself as the go-to organisation for forest management expertise.”
