International Day of Forests (21 March) was a celebration of what our forests, timber and wood products mean to our lives, and the critical importance of sustainable management to protect the environment. Source: Timberbiz
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, said the theme for 2018, ‘Forests and Sustainable Cities’, brought home the reality of just how much timber and wood were a part of our lives.
“Australia has some of the most well-managed forests in the world, and we are proud of our sustainable forestry industry and our beautiful national parks—we have the balance right,” Minister Ruston said.
“As our cities continue to grow and develop it is important that we plan strategically to ensure our forestry industries are able to sustainably support this growth while our forests also play their natural role in storing carbon and providing habitats,” the Senator said.
Improving quality of life
“Architecture in Australia’s ever-growing cities is embracing the use of wood and plants to create living, breathing buildings which improve the quality of life for the community.
“Generations of home renovators are also finding out just how much of a difference wood products make to a special home—from a new deck to beautiful hardwood floors.
“There is also a renaissance in the Australian-made timber furniture industry as more and more Australians are seeking to fill their homes with beautifully handcrafted Australian wood products,” Senator Ruston said.
“The forestry industry has always been an innovative contributor in making use of as much of the tree as possible, and is involved in the development of the next generation of products that are sometimes not associated with timber and wood—food, medicine and even batteries.
“I am proud of our forestry industry in Australia and look forward to working together to continue to innovate and grow in a sustainable way.”
Changing trends
Bob Gordon, National President of the Institute of Foresters of Australia, said trends in urban planning and architecture were bringing more and more trees into our cities causing reduction in energy use by improving the local climate, storing atmospheric carbon, reducing fine particulates in the air and reducing noise pollution.
“Members of the Institute of Foresters of Australia are intimately involved in advising local governments across the country on how to incorporate trees, particularly native species into urban environments,” he said.
“We also understand that sustainably managed forests around urban areas can also benefit biodiversity and habitat while providing the fuel and fibre needed in today’s society.
“It is often said that the 21st Century is the century of wood with its benefits as a construction material now being realised worldwide and the Institute looks forward to a time when timber buildings dot our skyline with trees growing freely between them,” Mr Gordon said.
Later this year, the Institute of Foresters of Australia and the Australian Forest Growers are holding a combined conference in Canberra called: Forests for healthy cities, farms and people.
“This builds on the UN theme for International Forests Day and from 2-5 September international and local experts will speak about the increasing importance of urban forests in our growing cities, the continuing importance of trees on farms, and the links between healthy tree-scapes and healthy people.”
Timely reminder of growing importance
Ross Hampton, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), said the 2018 International Day of Forests’ theme of ‘Forests and Sustainable Cities’ was a timely reminder of the ever-growing importance of Australia’s forest industries.
“The UN forecasts a global population of 9.5 billion people by 2050. The huge increasing demand for fundamentals such as food, shelter and clothing driven by this population growth will mean that the world will have to turn ever more to wood fibre, the most renewable of resources,” Mr Ross Hampton said.
“Recent research conducted by the University of Canberra and strategic market research firm Pollinate, made possible by Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA), is also timely, finding that ‘wood is good for you’, that is, exposure to wood products has real and measurable health and wellbeing benefits.
“The presence of wood in design and furnishings has positive physiological and psychological benefits that mimic the effect of spending time outside in nature. It lowers blood pressure and heart rates, reducing stress and anxiety and increases positive social interactions. The findings from this research can be used when designing and furnishing aged care facilities, health centres, offices and schools,” Mr Hampton said.
“Australia’s sustainably managed forests and plantations are a natural way of producing environmental benefits (like carbon, water quality and biodiversity) and the wood produced from those forests create products that are good for consumers’ long-term health and wellbeing. With increasing international demand for sustainable and renewable forest products, Australia is well placed to become a global leader.
“AFPA will be looking to all sides of politics to support the forthcoming National Forest Industries Plan, which will detail a comprehensive suite of policy settings and targets that will underpin our renewable and healthy future,” Mr Hampton said.
