In the face of a climate likely to become hotter and drier in the future, and with bushfires continuing to pose a significant threat, a variety of forestry-related research initiatives are currently underway across Australia.

As an industry, forestry is particularly vulnerable to bushfire threat, with the associated risks having the potential to impact plantation companies, native forest managers, wood processors and manufacturers in a variety of ways.

The latest episode of WoodChat focuses on a recently-completed FWPA-supported research project aimed at increasing the industry’s capacity to minimise the impacts of future bushfire events. This work is focused on updating fuel accumulation and fire spread models for Australian forestry plantations. The project was co-funded by most of Australia’s large plantation managers, with matching funding from the Australian Government.

During the episode, we also provide a round-up of other interesting projects around bushfire mitigation and management happening around Australia.

Discover more about what you hear during the episode at the following links:

https://www.forestry.org.au/nbmp-objectives-kpis/

https://fwpa.com.au/characterising-and-managing-fire-risks-to-plantations-under-changing-climates/

djadjawurrung.com.au

Episode 27 - Modelling the future to help minimise the impacts of bushfire events on forestry

Biophilia is the principle that exposure to nature increases human wellbeing. In this episode of WoodChat, we talk to Associate Professor Jacki Schirmer of the University of Canberra about research that suggests bringing biophilic elements such as wood into the workplace can boost employee satisfaction and productivity, and what that could mean for the forest and wood products industry.

Ep 1 - Wood & Wellbeing in the Workplace

In this episode, we meet with distinguished international academic and leading industry figure, Professor Jeff Morrell of Oregon State University. We discuss, amongst other things, his recent appointment as Director of Australia’s National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, and what he hopes the Centre will achieve for the industry both in Australia and internationally.

Ep 3 - Research centre to put Australia at forefront of best practice

Forest managers will now be able to gauge the likely effect of the climate on growing conditions in their specific areas, thanks to a new interactive online tool developed by the CSIRO. In this episode of WoodChat, we talk to CSIRO Research Scientist, Dr Patrick Mitchell, about the revolutionary new tool and what it could mean for the future of the industry.  You can request to the tool via Google Forms https://bit.ly/2JkG2zx

Ep 2 - Predicting future growing conditions with the click of a mouse

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.

Ep 6 - The increasing use of drones in forest management

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.

Ep 7 - 3D printing using timber waste for high-performance construction material

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.

Ep 8 - Emerging Australian leaders discover global timber advancements

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.

Ep 9 - How electronic tags can enhance construction benefits of prefabricated timber

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.

Ep 10 - How forestry is preparing its future workforce

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.

Ep 11 - How Virtual Reality is being used to launch forestry into the future

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.

Ep 12 - Collaborating for pest detection across industries

WoodChat is a series of podcasts produced by Forest and Wood Products Australia. We’ll be sharing in-depth conversations with industry experts and academics about a range of news stories, discoveries and innovations. For more information, visit www.fwpa.com.au

Episode 27 - Modelling the future to help minimise the impacts of bushfire events on forestry

WoodChat

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