WoodChat Podcast

21.07.22: Ep 24 - Showcasing Australian forestry’s environmental stewardship
  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 leading the way by committing to […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 23 - How technology is being used to make Australian forests smarter
  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 airborne sensors.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 22 - Future-proofing the forestry industry against the impact of bushfires
  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.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 21 - Re-imagining the log and woodchip export supply chain for improved efficiencies
  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 […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 20 - A digital forest? The future is coming!
  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 could be the first step […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 19 - Ensuring forestry continues to work in harmony with threatened Tasmanian species
  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 […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 18 - Supporting Indigenous communities in the NT to create a sustainable forestry industry
  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.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 17 - Boosting forestry knowledge amongst young online learners during COVID-19
  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 … […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 16 - New business models to inspire investment in trees on farms
  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 landowners and […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 15 - New technology to predict wood quality in standing trees
  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 Products Australia-supported research say […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 14 - Building with wood in bushfire-prone areas
  In this episode, we share best-practice methods on building with wood in bushfire-prone areas, with a focus on the important work FWPA is doing to provide resources for the construction industry and consumers about building resilient homes with timber.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 13 - FWPA joins Aussie researchers representing local R&D on global stage
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21.07.22: Ep 12 - Forest and Wood Products Australia joins cross-industry collaboration for fast, accurate detection of pests
  In a unique collaboration, Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has joined forces with other Australian agriculture and horticulture industries to develop exciting new diagnostic technology for crop protection.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 11 - How Virtual Reality is being used to launch forestry into the future
  Fascinating new projects are seeking to bring the seemingly opposing worlds of Virtual Reality (VR) and forestry together.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 10 - How forestry is preparing its future workforce
  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.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 09 - How electronic tags can enhance construction benefits of prefabricated timber
  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 […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 08 - Emerging Australian leaders discover global timber advancements
  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 […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 07 - 3D printing using timber waste for high-performance construction material
  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.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 06 - The increasing use of drones in forest management
  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.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 05 - Advocating the environmental benefits of timber in construction
  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.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 04 - Revolutionising seedling selection using DNA
  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.Read More

21.07.22: Ep 03 - Research centre to put Australia at forefront of best practice
  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 […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 02 - Predicting future growing conditions with the click of a mouse
  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 […]Read More

21.07.22: Ep 01 - Wood & Wellbeing in the Workplace
  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 […]Read More