Forests NSW Damien O’Reilly addresses the agricultural teachers on their field trip at Rosettes Road, Buccleuch State Forest, where they looked at the clear fall of the 1972 age class by Rosin Developments. Photo by Mal Baker.

Fifty three agricultural teachers from across New South Wales took a firsthand look at forestry when they attended a five-day NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers’ biennial conference based at Charles Sturt University, at Wagga Wagga, in late April.

As part of the conference, Forests NSW conducted a tour of its forestry operations in the Hume Region around Tumut and Tumbarumba. Forests NSW regional manager, Bob Germantse, said the field trip gave teachers a look at site preparation and harvesting in the pine plantations plus a tour of Forests NSW state-of-the art nursery at Blowering.

“Forestry and agriculture have a lot in common and supporting this conference is an excellent way for us to give teachers a better understanding of a dynamic  industry that is renewable, recyclable and responsible,” he said.

President of the NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers and conference organiser, Tony Butler, said the theme for the conference was ‘environmental sustainability’.

“Agriculture teachers were able to witness first-hand how businesses such as the timber industry utilise natural resources while maintaining sustainable work  practices.

“After seeing these practices, teachers will be able to incorporate what they have learnt into the way they teach agriculture,” Tony said.

This article appears in the Winter 2006 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.