The important role active and adaptive forest management can play in mitigating climate change and resulting flood and fire events has been centre stage of Day 2 of Forestry Australia's National Symposium, which wrapped up today in Albury.
Hailing the success of the symposium, which saw over 320 delegates share knowledge and ideas about the future of forestry, Forestry Australia President Bob Gordon said sustainable forestry held many solutions for Australia's growing climate woes.
"Forestry Australia is immensely proud to have brought such a diverse and talented group together to reimagine the future of forestry in Australia and discuss how we can tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead of us collaboratively," Mr Gordon said.
"The widespread flooding we've seen this year, including this week at the Murray River which runs just down the road from where we are holding the symposium in Albury, is a stark reminder of the impact of climate change on our nation.
"In weather patterns such as this it can be easy to forget that not-so-long ago Australia was in the midst of a bushfire crisis. While it's wet in many places now, we know that if don't take action to address bushfires we will see repeats of the 2019-20 summer, time and time again.
"Forestry Australia was pleased to launch today a landmark new body of work designed to assist Australia in the battle against bushfires and save lives, land and property.
"Prepared by Forestry Australia's Forest Fire Management Committee and the Forest Fire Management Group, Turning the Goals of the National Bushfire Management Policy Statement into Objectives and Key Performance Indicators aims to guide improvements in bushfire management and provide consistent reporting nationally on achievements.
"The ultimate outcome is that Australian lives will be saved from bushfires, Australia's environment will be better protected with enhanced ecosystem biodiversity, conservation and maintenance of soils and water catchments in a healthy state, and Australia shall be able to better address climate change impacts and reduce carbon emissions."
Today's symposium program kicked off with a panel discussion titled; The politics and policy to expand the forestry estate, featuring Jenny Bradley (Clean Energy Regulator), David Jochinke (National Farmers Federation), Cathy McGowan AO (former Federal MP), Ross Hampton (AFPA) and Dr Kevin Harding (farm forester and former AFG President).
After the launch of the bushfire KPI framework, delegates then broke out into concurrent sessions focussed on Climate Change Adaption; Fire; Water; Recovery & Resilience.
Esteemed Author, Broadcaster & former host of the ABC's The New Inventor's, James O'Loughlin made sure delegates went home with plenty to think about, wrapping up the plenary presentations with a session about the important topic of innovation.
Official symposium proceedings concluded with the 2022 Forestry Australia AGM, before delegates and presenters came together to celebrate a successful two days at the Symposium Dinner.
Tomorrow, delegates will have the opportunity to participate in a choice of field trips, with groups taking in local examples of innovative and resilient forestry.
