To recognise the departure of Richard Moore, our hard working and conscientious Executive Officer, the committee presented him with a gift at his last Committee meeting on Friday 18th May.

This was in recognition of Richard’s wonderful contribution to AFG and SWAN, whether in a voluntary or paid E.O. role, and more so for his work on building relationships with private tree growers or stakeholders around the State during his active forestry career.

​Bob Hingston worked with Richard since 1979 so knows him pretty well and said:

"His early work with agroforestry research laid the foundation to working with farmers around the State and he became one of Australia’s early pioneer agroforestry researchers."

Richard was also instrumental in bringing the Australian Master Tree Growers Program to WA in 1998 as part of the CALM Farm Forestry Unit strategy to broadening landowner’s empowerment and education of farm forestry. More recently this had led to bringing the Peer Group Mentor Project to WA.

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Cath Miller met Richard at the Master TreeGrower Course held in Margaret River in 2014, and he so inspired her, she became a Mentor in the Peer Group Mentor Program and took on editing the newsletter, website and facebook page, she said:

"Meeting Richard, has literally changed my life!  His enthusiasm for forestry and his teaching skills opened my eyes on the potential for trees on our farm. We thinned and pruned the 3ha spotted gum plantation and planted casuarina cumminghamiana on the southern boundary as a windbreak, screen and fodder plant.  We planted tagasate, Cas. Obesa and Acacia melanoxylon as fodder belt for goats and sheep and a variety of flowering plants to attract birds and bees and just installed a couple of hives. We also planted a windbreak/shelter belt on the wetter part of the property with Obesa and E Grandis with a view to planting fruit/nut trees in the future and planted a windbreak for the oat paddock with E Utilis, E Leucoxylon Rosea, Grevillia Robusta and C Citriodora and a small patch of ironbark E Tricarpa for sawlogs.   We then applied for and got funding for a revegetation project over 2.2 ha and are now looking at managing the remnant vegetation to provide better regeneration of Jarrah with selective thinning."

​​​"Firstly, it has been an absolute pleasure working with SWAN and with each of you over the past eight years or so.  For me the things we do as an organisation feel really worthwhile.   It gives me great satisfaction to see our members and landowners in general sharing and learning together.

From my perspective SWAN has a bright future.  There is such a diversity of approaches to and a range of benefits from using trees in rural landscapes - and, with that, come many opportunities for SWAN.

I look forward to catching up at future SWAN events."

Demonstration Workshop:
Planting Techniques for Riparian Revegetation Success
Thursday, August 9, 2018
3:00 PM  5:00 PM

The Lower Blackwood LCDC is committed to working with landholders in the restoration of our catchment waterways through revegetation plantings of riparian species along creek lines. As part of that commitment we are very pleased to offer you an opportunity to learn from the experts on planting techniques that will ensure plants will not only survive, but thrive.  This opportunity is offered at no cost due to the generous donation of time by planting contractors Landform and by permission to view on site by the landholders where the demonstration is to take place.

 What will I get from the workshop?

Aspects to consider before starting a revegetation project.
A takeaway example of a revegetation plan.
A detailed demonstration on riparian planting techniques.
A takeaway species list and planting profile as an example of what contractors or the Lower Blackwood LCDC can provide for you to ensure high revegetation success

Workshop Logistics:

The 2 hour workshop will be held the on 9th of August however may be moved if rain is forecast. Any change of date and the property address will be confirmed prior to the event.

Workshop Application:

In order to ensure that the workshop provides maximum benefit to all participants, numbers will be limited so please get your Expression of Interest in to us quickly to guarantee your place. To register your interest or for more information please contact:

Chiara Danese, Landcare Project Officer

Mobile: 0447 742 000 Email: chiara.danese@lowerblackwood.com.au

Institute of Foresters of Australia 
WA Division Field Activity
Field Visit Bussells conifer arboretum

Sunday 5th August
12.30pm - 4pm

WA Division members and friends are invited to join a field visit to the Bussells conifer arboretum on the afternoon of Sunday 5 August. Bussells arboretum was established in the late 1960s and includes plantings of a wide variety of exotic and native conifer species.The Parks and Wildlife Service have recently  undertaken maintenance at the arboretum, and the field trip will provide an opportunity to observe the growth performance of different species on a high quality site after more than four decades.
 
An outline of the itinerary is provided below. You can travel in convoy from the Parks & Wildlife Service office at Bunbury or meet at the nominated point on Mungalup Road as shown on the attached map. Bring a thermos and afternoon tea to enjoy in the bush.
 
12:30 – Leave Bunbury from Parks & Wildlife Service office car park.
13:10 – Meet at intersection of Mungalup and Yabberup Brook Roads (can meet any others not leaving from Bunbury) 
13:20 – Stop 1 – Pinus pinaster/ Pinus elliotii 
Introduction to Bussells Arboretum
13:40 – Stop 2 – Callitris endlicheri - Black cypress pine
 Discuss thinning regime
13:50 – Stop 3 – Sequoia sempervirons - Californian Redwood
 Discuss thinning regime
14:20 – Stop 4 - Mixed eucalypts
 Discuss future plans for arboretum
14:40 – Stop 5 – Pinus canariensis
 Discuss potential as a plantation species
15:00 – Depart for Bunbury
15:40 – Arrive Parks & Wildlife Service office car park.
 
RSVP to Lachie McCaw on ifawadivision@gmail.com or 0429 977 998.

“All the experience and knowledge that has come out in one day is great support for the people who are trying to grow trees and develop an industry out of it.” 

This was how Peter Clifton, Regional Landcare Facilitator, summed up the recent field day run by the SW Agroforestry Network.  The main topics covered during the day were fire, shitake mushrooms and the use and selling of thinnings.

The 35 people who attended the field day in the Pemberton district on a glorious day in early May visited two contrasting properties.  Andrew Mountford of Mountford Wines showed us his patch of native karri forest.  Like many landowners with native forest, Andrew values his forest and wants to look after it.  He’s aware that it is overstocked and needs thinning.  The challenge of finding markets for thinnings was explored in some depth - watch video - with participants sharing a range of perspectives and practical experience.  It appears that thinning for export chips is probably the most feasible option at this time – not highly lucrative but costs should at least be covered.

Fire is the other major issue for Andrew, particularly as his house is located at the top of the hill above his karri forest.  He outlined how he is reducing fuel levels using mild patchy burns.  To view some of the discussion about Andrew’s forest go to YouTube.

Lunch at Big Brook Dam was a chance to catch up with friends and colleagues.  It was also a chance to hear brief updates from some local groups working in the environmental scene; Kathy Dawson from the Warren Catchments Council on biochar (see video on YouTube), Jess Beckerling on the Forests for Life proposal and Bevan Eatts from the Southern Forests Food Council.

The afternoon’s program switched to a focus on planted trees.  Julian Sharp, avid tree grower for more than 30 years, active mentor with the Mentoring Program run by SWAN and current Chair of the Warren Catchments Council, shared his experience with species for timber.  A highlight was his latest venture – growing shitake mushrooms on small logs from his plantings of eucalypts (watch video on YouTube).   For more on Julian’s story and some of the discussion see video on YouTube)

SWAN is grateful to the SW Catchments Council, for their support for the day via the Regional Landcare Facilitator Program.  Feedback from participants suggests there was plenty of sharing and learning going on, which is essentially what such days are about.  As Bridgetown tree grower, Peter Rydings said during the wrap-up session

“I think the experience and knowledge is widespread and people have been willing to share it.  I think we’ve all taken some great advantage from that today.  I hope we can in some way pass it onto others as well.”
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by Richard Moore, ex-EO, South West Agroforestry Network

What fabulous weather we were lucky to have for the SWAN field day down near Pemberton! With so many people attending with a range of experience and perspectives a good assortment of ideas and viewpoints were put forward throughout the day.. Participants included growers, industry reps, SWAN mentors and the local Greens MLC Diane Evers.

Starting in the karri regrowth forest at the Mountford Winery (did a few pre-lunch tastings happen?  We're not telling!) people discussed management ideas (particularly fire management in this area and thinning needs) for this section of forest and potential marketing options.

Moving on to Big Brook Dam for lunch and a range of short talks we enjoyed hearing about local issues, biosecurity and feral animal management, land management issues and biochar. Ever heard about biochar and it's uses? Fascinating stuff.

The last stop was at Julian Sharp's property on the edge of the Warren National Park.  We were there primarily to consider his mixed eucalypt plantation and small section of karri regrowth, but also ended up with a short but inspirational discussion on how to grow shiitake mushrooms in one of his sheds. While we were there, it was very interesting to note the Amanita muscaria (fly agaric or fairy mushrooms) growing there. These normally grow in and around pine plantations, but here they were very happily popping up in a eucalypt environment. These aren't native mushrooms by the way and please don't eat them (or pick them)!
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This was the final field day that Richard Moore organised as he has a few things up his sleeve for the future - a very big thank you Richard for all your efforts!

Wesbeam is the only Australian-owned producer of LVL. Their LVL products are engineered to span further, carry greater loads and withstand the tough Australian climate. The real beauty of Wesbeam's LVL is that construction becomes more efficient and economical as you'll use fewer materials and avoid the need for heavy lifting gear!
Take a video tour of the factory.

"..Western Australia is joining the timber trend sweeping the eastern seaboard with its first timber-framed building, a 10-storey hotel at inner city Northbridge. WeWork has recently been announced as the sole tenant in the building, which is Lendlease’s sixth engineered timber building in Australia."

Woodsmiths Margaret River have erected their traditional hand hewn timber frame structure at Burnside Organic Farm. There is no beter way to promote a better way of using local timber to provide beautiful, long-lasting structures. 

www.facebook.com/Woodsmiths.M.R/

In June, Woodsmiths Margaret River erected a traditional timber frame structure on Burnside Organic Farm in Margaret River.   The timbers were hand hewn beams from some spotted gum (Corymbia maculata) grown on the Fair Harvest plantation that they manage just 2km from the site. It doesn’t get much more local than that!

The beams were formed in the traditional way with axe and adze. It provides an aesthetic that can't be found any other way. It's extremely hard work, but working the wood in this way brings joy.

"We are so happy and grateful to have been given the opportunity to complete this project for Burnside Organic Farm and promote a better way of using local timber to provide beautiful, long-lasting structures.

Thanks to everyone involved in our vision up to this point, and a special thanks to SWAN and Fair Harvest Permaculture for your continued support. . 

Tim and Gab
Woodsmiths Margaret River
Burnside Road
6285 Margaret River, Western Australia
0437 801 789

The Ludlow Forest is the only naturally occurring Tall Tuart Forest in the world. The area has reduced from some 45,000 hectares to a current 3,000 hectares. Cattle grazing, timber harvesting, clearing for agriculture, plantation development, mining and infiltration of various debilitating threats have left the area in a degraded state.

The Ludlow Tuart Forest Restoration Group was established last year to ensure the preservation, restoration and protection of the forest and now has its own webpage.  Anyone wishing to join the group can now join online.

www.ludlowtuartforest.org.au

The Ludlow Tuart Forest is also adjacent to the internationally significant Vasse-Wonnerup Wetlands. The Wetlands are so crucial for water birds that they are recognised under the International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

On Sunday 30 September 2018 there is a seedling planting day and the group is inviting people along to the Ludlow Settlement to help. The day is open to all children, parents and friends. See website for more information.

Total forest area in Ireland represents 11% of the land area. Conifers continue to represent the bulk of forests at 71.2% – most of it sitka spruce. Leitrim was the most densely forested county with 18.9% of its land mass under trees. The county has seen the fastest increase in afforestation, with over 3,500ha planted in the past five years. The pace of forest development has been controversial in the county. Cork has the largest forest estate by size, with just over 90,000ha, representing 11.6% of Ireland's national forests. Minister of State for Agriculture Andrew Doyle said that the 1.28 million m³ increase in annual timber harvesting over the past five years was "a positive indicator of increased wood mobilisation and represents a valuable source of revenue for forest owners and a source of additional employment in the rural economy through harvesting, transport and downstream processing". Read more...

The UK's top trade associations in the forestry and forest products sectors have proposed a merger, the Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor) and the UK Forest Products Association (UKFPA).  Confor chair Athole McKillop. “We have so many challenges facing us, from Brexit to plant health, to securing future wood supply, it’s vital that we make best use of the sector’s resources to promote our interests and to provide technical advice and services to businesses in the industry.” Echoing that sentiment, UKFPA vice-presidents Gavin Davidson and Rod Gordon said: “In view of the challenges and opportunities facing our sector, we believe that the time is right to bring together the two trade associations, to provide a stronger and more effective voice for our industry." Read more...

Millions of tonnes of illegally logged timber from forests across Papua New Guinea, are being exported to China and from there to the world as finished wood products.  A new report from Global Witness has revealed that government-issued permits are often illegally “extended” and fail to enforce laws surrounding logging in prohibited and ecologically sensitive areas. About 70% of PNG is covered by forest, and the majority of the developing country’s 8 million-strong population depends directly on the land for sustenance, livelihoods and cultural practices. PNG has lost 640,000 hectares of forest to logging in the past five years, and 3% of its total tree cover since 2000. 

“PNG is China’s single largest supplier of tropical logs ... the US and EU, in turn, are China’s largest markets for its plywood and wood furniture exports. While China has not yet banned the import of illegal timber, the US and EU have."

PNG is one of the latest signatories to China’s $1tn belt and road initiative and one-quarter of all of PNG’s debt is owned by China. Read more...

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Overview
The Peer Group Mentoring Program is based on the principle that landowners listen to landowners.  Graduates of Master TreeGrower courses with some experience in using trees can choose to become mentors of other landowners.  SWAN provides training in effective mentoring.  Mentors are paid for their time in supporting landowners who want to use trees and revegetation but aren’t too sure how to start. 

The evidence is that mentoring is an effective method for helping landowners on their journey of using trees.  ‘Stories’ collected using the social research technique called “Most Significant Change” show clearly the positive impacts of the Program 
 
Current situation
There are currently 12 trained and active mentors.   The mentors are located in two cells; one in the Busselton/Margaret River area and the other in the Manjimup/Pemberton area. There have been approximately 10 requests per year from landowners who want to participate in the Program.
 
Summary of mentoring process
The first step in the process is to set up an initial site visit.  The visit usually involves three mentors.  The focus of the initial site visit is on listening to what the landowner is interested in doing and discussing ideas on how the landowner might be able to achieve his/her interests. 

A report is prepared for the landowner.  The report is essentially a summary of the conversation and usually includes suggestions on next steps and useful contacts.

One of the mentors takes on the role of contact person for the mentee.  The idea is to provide on-going support; i.e. staying in touch and helping the landowner over any hurdles, such as how to order seedlings, how to do weed control and how to plant a tree.
 
KOMATSU Live your Dream
SWAN member Clare Kent and her partner Peter Huf were successful in securing a "Live your Dream" grant from Komatsu which will support the development of the PGM over the next 6 months. 

The funds will support the existing mentoring team in the South West.
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