Three foresters have started in specialist roles within Forestry Corporation after completing a two-year graduate training program.

Staff members Lydia Kearns, based at Wauchope, Jack Power at Batemans Bay and Justin Yip at Tumut started with Forestry under the 2022/23 graduate intake.

Over the course of the past two years, they have completed ‘on-the-job training’ undertaking a series of work rotations across different Forestry divisions.

Graduating as foresters, they have now started in roles within their chosen fields of forest science.

Lydia Kearns is now working within the Hardwood Division as a Planner.

“It’s a position where I deal with many sides of the business, assisting teams who work across Tourism Partnerships, Roading and Production, Cultural Heritage and Ecology in a role that combines a good mix of time in the office with trips out into the field,” Lydia said.

Originally from the Blue Mountains, Lydia started with Forestry Corporation after graduating from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies Majoring in Environmental Science, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

“I really appreciated the opportunity to join Forestry as a graduate here in Wauchope. It was a great starting point where I got to learn the whole perspective of Forestry both as a science and as an industry,” Lydia said.

“The program is a good gateway for anyone wanting to get involved in this style of work, particularly university students who might not necessarily know what silviculture involves.

“Highlights in the job for me have been helping to provide ecology plans and working in the field with ecologists on their wildlife monitoring and trapping programs.

“I have also enjoyed the experience of becoming an accredited firefighter working on wildfires and hazard reduction burns to protect state forests and native wildlife from bushfires."

Justin Yip is now working with the Softwood Division’s Forest Resources Team on plantation and tree improvement programs.

Originally from Sydney, Justin started with Forestry Corporation after graduating from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management degree, specialising in Parks, Recreation and Heritage.

“During the two-year program in Tumut, I rotated through Silviculture, Harvest and Roading, Forestry Resources and Fire and Stewardship. During this time, I was given the opportunity to gain an insight into the inner workings of each division,” Justin said.

“What I appreciated most about this program was the opportunity to work with a range of talented people in different areas of the business,” he said.

Justin said he gained a wealth of professional satisfaction working on significant State Forest projects.

“During my rotation with Fire and Stewardship, I was privileged to be involved with the Bago State Forest Nature-Based Tourism Enhancement project, which is important because it represents the community’s ongoing recovery following the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires,” Justin said.

“I played a part helping with the installation of infrastructure at the new iteration of the Sugar Pines and upgrade to the Lochinvar Rest Area.

“I particularly enjoyed my involvement with these projects as open space management was one of the subjects I enjoyed most during my studies.

“Throughout the program I was completely supported by each team. I felt my work was meaningful and contributed positively to the business with opportunities to develop professionally. I also formed positive working relationships with colleagues and contractors,” he said.

For decades, Forestry Corporation has offered pathways to university graduates, who have completed studies in the fields of forestry, agriculture, environmental science and natural resources.

All Forestry Corporation staff train and serve as forest firefighters providing fire protection and land management across 2 million hectares of state forests in NSW.