Listen Now

Discover an approach that will enhance the Australian forestry industry’s sustainability credentials through improved use of natural resources. Learn more about a recently completed FWPA-commissioned report which lays out a series of sample ecosystem accounts for use by the forestry industry. Plus discover how one Australian forestry company is leading the way by committing to the development of an annual report relating to its own activities in this area.

Take a deep dive into some exciting Australian projects focused on the fusion of forestry and technology to help shape and strengthen the forests of the future. Listeners are invited to discover how scientists are working to make smarter, healthier and more productive forests, utilising everything from Artificial Intelligence (AI) to genomics and airborne sensors.

Listeners will hear about research efforts to increase the Australian timber industry’s bushfire preparedness, and capacity to minimise the adverse impacts of future fire events on forestry plantations.

Listeners will hear about a research project that took an in-depth look at the various elements of Australia’s log and woodchip export supply chain, and how it can most effectively be managed. The team behind the comprehensive FWPA-supported study reviewed optimum conditions for logs during storage, haulage and at ports. Their findings are now being used to identify solutions and innovations for an enhanced and more cost-effective timber export process.

In this episode we consider the potential for technologies to be installed permanently within forest environments, to inform better decision making and support optimal forest management. During the episode, listeners will hear about advanced technologies currently being used in Tasmania to monitor the nests of at-risk wedge-tailed eagles, in what could be the first step towards developing a ‘fully networked’ forest.

The latest episode of our WoodChat podcast series takes a look at a new research project that is monitoring the impact of forestry activities on a number of iconic at-risk Tasmanian species, such as wedge-tailed eagles, masked owls, giant freshwater crayfish and Tasmanian devils. During the episode, the hosts speak to Dr Amy Koch, Biodiversity Research Manager at the Forest Practices Authority (FPA) which is leading the initiative. Results will be used to improve understanding of the effectiveness of current protocols that guide forest management practices where these species are known to be found. This knowledge will help determine whether new or adapted approaches could better protect animals, and minimise the impact on forestry operations. “It’s hoped greater knowledge about the species’ habits will allow for the development of more finely-tuned, species-specific management practices that will benefit wildlife and foresters at the same time,” Koch explained.

The latest episode of WoodChat focuses on a new research project investigating the potential for commercial Indigenous forestry in the Northern Territory’s East Arnhem Land. The goal of the research is to support and empower the Traditional Owners to facilitate a sustainable forest-based livelihood.

This episode focuses on ForestLearning, a program of online learning options to educate children about the sustainable nature of forestry. The program includes various resources developed to enable school children to engage with and understand the world of forestry, and even pay virtual visits to locations they would not normally have had access to ... all without leaving the classroom! The current situation with COVID-19 has meant that teachers, parents and schoolchildren are seeking out new opportunities for remote learning. And for that reason, ForestLearning has continued to investigate, develop and roll out new resources. The program includes everything from online work sheets and quizzes, to opportunities to connect with foresters out in the field via Zoom, and the use of virtual reality to allow students to experience forest and mill environments first-hand.

This episode focuses on the development of new business models that could see areas of Australian farmland utilised for planting trees. A team of researchers have developed and tested a number of new business models for commercial tree plantations, which could yield mutual financial, social and environmental benefits for the timber industry, rural landowners and investors. The models were designed in collaboration with industry and rural landowners after analysing landowner needs and their past experiences with tree investment, and consider the positive impacts of trees on carbon, biodiversity and water. Listeners will hear from Professor Rodney Keenan of the University of Melbourne, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, who led the research.

This episode focuses on the development of new technology, allowing growers to easily and affordably assess wood quality across their resources. The researchers have been developing processes and tools that will support decision making around location and management, improving the quality of forest stands. The people behind the Forest and Wood Products Australia-supported research say the ability to predict, maintain and improve timber quality in plantations will help decrease risk and improve the productivity, competitiveness and profitability of Australia’s growers and processors.

In this episode, we share best-practice methods on building with wood in bushfire-prone areas, with a focus on the important work FWPA is doing to provide resources for the construction industry and consumers about building resilient homes with timber. Photo credit: Peter Bennetts

Today we focus on the exciting takeaways of FWPA and other Australian representatives who were amongst the 2,500 scientists from 92 countries at the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) World Congress. Hear directly from attendees who travelled to Brazil for the congress in October. Conversations cover key themes including deforestation and climate change, as well as the willingness amongst attendees to collaborate on a global scale for the benefit of forests everywhere.

In a unique collaboration, Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has joined forces with Australia’s other agriculture and horticulture industries to develop exciting new diagnostic technology. The latest episode of WoodChat focuses on the move, which has the potential to change and speed up the detection of airborne pests and diseases, ultimately boosting productivity and profitability for forestry and other industries. The project was made possible thanks to a grant under the Australian Government’s Rural R&D for Profit program, which enable nationally coordinated, strategic research that delivers real outcomes for Australian producers.

Fascinating new projects are seeking to bring the seemingly opposing worlds of Virtual Reality (VR) and forestry together. The latest episode of Forest and Wood Products Australia’s (FWPA) WoodChat podcast focuses on an initiative from the University of Tasmania demonstrating how field operators can accurately perform assessments in an immersive, VR environment, with benefits ranging from improved safety, to ease of access and reduced labour costs. We also learn about a series of recently launched VR tours for teachers and school children, which could completely change the way young people learn about Australian forests.

Ongoing evolution and rapid advancements in technology have led the forestry sector to take steps towards preparing current and future workers for the changing demands of the industry. The latest episode of Forest and Wood Products Australia’s (FWPA) WoodChat podcast focuses on initiatives that are equipping the industry’s future leaders, and engaging young people from disciplines not traditionally associated with forestry. We speak to Matthew Linnegar, Chief Executive of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and Tammy Auld of Timberlands Pacific about the FWPA-supported For Our Future initiative, as well as James Kondilios of the Australian National University, a recently announced recipient of an ABARES Science and Innovation Award.

The advantages of prefabricated timber systems in construction are being given a boost by researchers trialing Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tracking technology to improve on-site processes. In this episode of WoodChat we speak to Perry Forsythe, Professor of Construction Management at the University of Technology Sydney, which has been testing the value proposition associated with attaching small, computerised tags to timber construction elements manufactured off-site.

Engineering students from across Australia have been benefiting from exposure to the most up-to-the-minute technical developments and innovations in timber construction, thanks to support from Forest and Wood Products Australia. This week, we speak to a number of students for a rundown of their experiences at the World Conference on Timber Engineering – one of the most prestigious events in timber engineering, engineered wood products and the design of timber structures.

New research is showing positive results when harnessing 3D printing technology to combine timber waste products and recycled plastics, and create a high-performance construction element. In this episode, Professor Sandra Löschke, Director of Architecture Design and Technology at the University of Sydney, talks to us about her research in this area.

We explore the use of drones or ‘Unmanned Ariel Vehicles’ (UAVs) in forest management, speaking to Dr Christine Stone of NSW Department of Primary Industries and Rod Meynink of MBAC Consulting Group, who have put UAVs into action. The technology presents opportunities to detect animal habitats and support forest and fire management.

Hosts Sam and Victoria speak to David Rowlinson - Make It Wood Campaign Manager at Planet Ark about his initiative to educate and encourage the increased use of responsibly sourced timber in construction, due to the variety of compelling benefits when compared to other materials.