A British climate risk specialist and Jeanette Fitzsimons, former co-leader of the Green Party, will be key speakers at the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association national conference being held in Blenheim in April. Sources: The Marlborough Express, Stuff Co NZ
Julian Roberts, executive director of Willis Agribusiness and Weather Risk, will speak about assessing the risks of a changing climate on farming and forestry.
Fitzsimons will outline her vision for the sustainable use of diverse forests.
“We aim to cover a lot of ground in farm forestry and landscape issues and have lined up top speakers for the opening and throughout the event, ” said conference co-chairman Paul Millen.
The theme of the conference is “Diverse landscapes – planted by people who grow trees and our economy”.
As much time as possible will be spent on field days and workshops throughout Marlborough, a region that can grow just about anything – from hazelnuts and olives to pine plantations and native forests.
Workshops include growing eucalypts for dry landscapes, new methods for forestry harvesting on steep slopes and high country farming properties that combine forestry, native restoration and tourism.
Three field days focus on the Marlborough Sounds. Millen said the Sounds is a unique part of New Zealand and the conference will highlight the need for integrated management of the area to allow sustainable economic land use for forestry, farming, tourism and aquaculture.
The conference program includes: Queen Charlotte Sound: Restoring native biodiversity to the Marlborough Sounds. This is a boat trip to look at native planting and pine removal, predator-free Motuara Island, and the Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust’s project.
