Forests NSW continues to  extend its offer to local communities to visit State forests and learn more  about forestry and forest management.

Last year, staff hosted  two tours of State forests near Eden.  The trips focused on issues specific to the south coast, with staff presenting  information about the local industry, various types of timber and forest  products, and the strategies employed in sustainable forest management.

Hosted by chief  executive, Nick Roberts, and Southern regional manager, Ian Barnes, the trips  were focused on community leaders.

“The feedback we received  was overwhelmingly positive,” Ian said. “I think our locals really appreciated  the opportunity to talk one-on-one with staff about the issues and get an  up-close look at the processes we employ.”

For ten years, Forests  NSW has also been running teacher education trips to forests - a great  opportunity for teachers to see first-hand some of the activities they teach in  class.

In 2009, groups headed  out to State forests near Coffs Harbour and Bathurst.

In Bathurst, the focus was pine plantations and  examining the cycle from establishment through to harvest. The group was able  to see the variety of harvesting methods used in plantations – thinning,  clearfall and cable logging.

In Coffs Harbour,  the group visited harvesting sites in native forests and met with the local  Aboriginal cultural heritage officer and ecologist to examine the extensive  planning undertaken prior to harvesting.

Upcoming forestry  experiences are promoted on our website.

This article appears in the Autumn/Winter 2010 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.