What is the future?

People have used forests for tens of thousands of years – for everything from recreation and inspiration to industry and employment. As the earth’s climate changes, the things we have learned about the global role of forests will help us manage them for the future.

Australia has some of the most beautiful and productive forest areas in the world. These fantastic and magical places mean a lot of different things to different people.

• Some of us work with the wood from the forests
• Some work with the creatures that live in the forests
• Some people live in the forests and some play in the forest (camping, hiking, exploring) and
• Many of us just love looking at and being in a forest!

Australian forests provide us with products we use everyday. From house frames to floorboards, furniture to newspapers, forests are essential to everyday life. Not only do forests supply timber for our needs and employment for local industry, they are also managed to protect animal habitats, and air and water quality. Plus they provide for a myriad of recreational opportunities; from bushwalking, camping and bird watching, to mountain bike riding, car rallies and adventure sports.

The challenge for foresters is to balance the competing needs and uses of forests. The future of our forests is in the hands of professional foresters trained to sustainably manage these valuable natural resources!