WARNING - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised this episode may contain the names or voices of deceased people. A recently completed research project has showcased great potential for the development of sustainable native forestry activities in the Northern Territory led by Traditional Owner communities. In this episode of Wo…

In 2023, the FWPA-supported Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life entered an exciting new stage in its evolution with the appointment of its new Director, Professor Tripti Singh.With more than 20 years of experience in managing collaborative, multi-million-dollar research programs, Professor Singh is a leading figure in wood protection resea…

This episode we take a focus on biosecurity. You’ll hear about three exciting research initiatives aimed at improving Australia’s protection measures to help mitigate the risks posed to our forests by exotic pests and diseases.Lucy Tran-Nguyen, GM of Partnerships and Innovation at Plant Health Australia, tells us about The National Forest Pest Surv…

Today we bring you the second part of our focus on the latest initiatives from the FWPA-supported ForestLearning program.Tune in for everything from ForestLearning resources that utilise the latest technologies, to award wins, outstanding feedback from kids and teachers, and much, much more!By WoodChat

In today's episode, we focus on the latest achievements of the FWPA-supported ForestLearning initiative. And with so much exciting news to report - from new and highly innovative resources, to award wins, glowing testimonials from kids and teachers, the embracing of new technologies such as drones, and much, much more - we’ll be presenting this epi…

During the latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast series, listeners will hear from two thriving Australian forest and wood products companies adopting smart manufacturing principles.Applying these principles during the wood processing stage brings a range of benefits, including increased profitability, improved worker safety, and better environm…

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 imp…

A hugely positive mid-term review of the FWPA-supported National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life has resulted in the extension of the Centre’s important research activities for a further five years, with the potential for three more.The latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast series features an interview with Director, Professor Jeff…

Discover how new research into priority areas identified by Australian forest growers will be addressed, thanks to six new PhD research scholarships at the University of Tasmania.The research projects were selected for funding by a working group of FWPA and forest grower members, known as the Grower Research Advisory Committee (GRAC). Successful Ph…

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 lead…

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 a…

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.By WoodChat

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…

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 co…

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 Resea…

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.By WoodChat

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 …

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 l…

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 Produ…

By WoodChat

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 d…

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, ultimate…

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, V…

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 engag…

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 tes…

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 Engineer…

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.By WoodChat

Episode 4 of WoodChat sees hosts Sam and Victoria talk to Robert Southerton, Managing Director at Gondwana Genomics about the genetic DNA testing system they developed. The world-leading technology can predict key commercial attributes of a future adult eucalyptus tree using just a single seedling leaf in the early stages of its life.…

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 …

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…

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…