Southern Cross University students, studying Bachelor of Science in Forest Systems, have visited state forests near Grafton to gain a first-hand insight into forest management.

The field trip coordinated with Forestry Corporation showed students from the Lismore Campus how sustainable timber plantations are established and managed in the region.

The tour included visits to plantation pine compartments in Whiporie and Yaraldi State forests.

These forests were established using seedlings supplied by Forestry Corporation’s Grafton Nursery, which last year helped to produce more than 10 million seedlings to be planted in NSW state forests.

Grafton Management Unit Production Coordinator Mufudzi Gambiza said the field trip and forest tour was a shared learning opportunity that discussed the different stages of forest management from seed to sawlog.

“It was a valuable experience for both the students and our team here at Forestry Corporation and we look forward to hosting more visits like this in the future,” Mr Gambiza said.

“In Whiporie State Forest, students were shown how sites are prepared in plantation forest compartments ahead of replanting operations.

“The university students also measured pine tree plots in 15-year-old and 20-year-old unthinned age class stands, as part of their assignment requirements,” he said.

During the visit to Yaraldi plantation, the group was shown how mechanized thinning operations are undertaken to ensure production of high-quality timber for the Australian building industry.

In an average year, NSW state forests, managed by Forestry Corporation, produce enough timber to construct a quarter of new home builds across Australia.

Find out more about Forestry Corporation’s softwood forests at www.forestrycorporation.com.au