Soil and water training helps protect forests
From the Autumn 2008 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Forests NSW dozer driver, Graham Salmon; supervising forestry officer, Ray Claffey; and forester, Adele Wedding inspect a road drainage structure near Tumut as part of a workplace assessment for the roading elective of the Forests Soil and Water Protection course. Photo by David Priem
More than 2000 people have now been accredited in Forest Soil and Water Protection, through courses run by the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Forest Industry Training Centre based at Tumut.
Accreditation in this course is a requirement of the Forest Operator’s Licence, enabling operators to work in State forests.
Key course attendees include Forests NSW staff and contractors associated with operations in timber harvesting, roading, haulage and site preparation.
“It relates to essential environmental care aspects of soil and water protection and other important conservation values,” David Priem, manager of the TAFE Forest Industry Training Centre, said.
“The course has been running for 11 years and is now a well established part of the training scene.”
Three people deliver the course across the State, aided by the much appreciated support and expertise of Forests NSW staff in the regions.
The course involves a day of theory, covering environmental legislation, plan interpretation, and best practice environmental care techniques according to the operational elective they are undertaking.
The theory is followed by a half day field trip and workplace assessment to gauge competence.
“There has been an obvious improvement in attitude and understanding by people who work in our State forests in relation to the way they approach environmental aspects of their work.
“They understand the need for training and genuinely appreciate learning how to best apply soil and water protection techniques as part of their day to day operations,” David said.
Sarah Chester - Public Affairs & Media, Albury
