WoodChat

In this episode of WoodChat's Women in Forestry series, we speak with Tolita Davis-Angeles, a Cobble-Cobble woman from the western Bunya Mountains in Queensland who grew up on Butchulla Country. As Chair of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Indigenous Working Group, Tolita shares her perspective on Indigenous leadership in forestry, the importance of caring for Country, and the opportunities fo...

The Future Framing Initiative is the industry's blueprint for building more homes, faster, using modern methods of construction and lightweight timber framing. In Episode 42, we speak with two people who understand what it takes to move an industry forward. Ian Tyson spent a decade as CEO of Timberlink Australia & New Zealand from its formation in 2013 to his retirement in 2023, transforming a tra...

Episode 41 of WoodChat features Professor Tripti Singh, a globally recognised expert in timber durability and wood protection. With more than 20 years of experience leading collaborative, multi-million dollar research programs, Tripti has played a significant role in advancing how the industry understands timber performance and longevity. In this episode, she shares insights from her career, inclu...

Biophilia, biophilic design and timber buildings are back in focus in this episode of WoodChat, revisiting the theme of our very first episode from 2018. We explore how biophilia and biophilic workplace design use natural materials such as timber to support human wellbeing, reduce stress and improve comfort in office environments. The episode centres on T3 Collingwood, a mass timber office buildin...

In this episode, WoodChat speaks with Joseph Lawrence as he approaches one year leading Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI). Joseph discusses AFWI’s national strategy and how the institute’s work aligns closely with FWPA’s mission to strengthen Australia’s forest and wood products industry. Joseph shares how his background in engineering, higher education and government shapes his approa...

In this episode of WoodChat, we take a deeper look at how genetics is reshaping Australia’s forestry sector. Building on our FWPA article 'The power of genetics: growing stronger, more productive plantations', we explore the science and strategy behind improving forest stock, boosting yield and strengthening the resilience of plantations. Our guests unpack the major gains achieved in plantation fo...

Periodically, WoodChat places a focus on presenting the latest work around building safely in bushfire-prone areas, in particular highlighting the work of the Codes and Standards team. During this episode, we wanted to speak to Boris Iskra, National Manager Codes & Standards at Forest and Wood Products Australia in a more general sense to get a snapshot of the other important work that FWPA is inv...

At WoodChat, we explore a diverse array of forestry and timber-related topics. Some episodes have greater relevance to the Australian industry, while others have global significance. This episode is focused on bushfires. At the time of recording in January 2025, the catastrophic Los Angeles bushfires have been dominating headlines worldwide. Sadly, Australia has plenty of experience managing simil...

In the latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast, listeners are invited to explore the transformative role of nutrition in enhancing forest productivity across Australia. This insightful episode features researcher John McGrath, who shares insights about three pivotal projects, with the potential to shape the long-term future of forest management for maximum yield and productivity. The discussion...

Explore FWPA's Statistics & Economics program by listening to the latest episode of our WoodChat podcast series. Join us as we chat with Dr Erick Hansnata, FWPA Statistics and Economics Program Manager, to gain insights into the organisation's newly enhanced Data Dashboard - an essential tool that aims to transform industry data access and support critical business decisions. During the episode, E...

WARNING - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised this episode may contain the names or voices of deceased people. A recently completed research project has showcased great potential for the development of sustainable native forestry activities in the Northern Territory led by Traditional Owner communities. In this episode of WoodChat, we hear from two of the leading researcher...

In 2023, the FWPA-supported Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life entered an exciting new stage in its evolution with the appointment of its new Director, Professor Tripti Singh. With more than 20 years of experience in managing collaborative, multi-million-dollar research programs, Professor Singh is a leading figure in wood protection research. In this episode of WoodChat, we catch up wit...

This episode we take a focus on biosecurity. You’ll hear about three exciting research initiatives aimed at improving Australia’s protection measures to help mitigate the risks posed to our forests by exotic pests and diseases. Lucy Tran-Nguyen, GM of Partnerships and Innovation at Plant Health Australia, tells us about The National Forest Pest Surveillance Program - also known as Forest Watch Aus...

Today we bring you the second part of our focus on the latest initiatives from the FWPA-supported ForestLearning program. Tune in for everything from ForestLearning resources that utilise the latest technologies, to award wins, outstanding feedback from kids and teachers, and much, much more!

In today's episode, we focus on the latest achievements of the FWPA-supported ForestLearning initiative. And with so much exciting news to report - from new and highly innovative resources, to award wins, glowing testimonials from kids and teachers, the embracing of new technologies such as drones, and much, much more - we’ll be presenting this episode in two parts … a first in the history of Wood...

During the latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast series, listeners will hear from two thriving Australian forest and wood products companies adopting smart manufacturing principles. Applying these principles during the wood processing stage brings a range of benefits, including increased profitability, improved worker safety, and better environmental outcomes. Hosts Sam and Georgia spoke to Tr...

In the face of a climate likely to become hotter and drier in the future, and with bushfires continuing to pose a significant threat, a variety of forestry-related research initiatives are currently underway across Australia. As an industry, forestry is particularly vulnerable to bushfire threat, with the associated risks having the potential to impact plantation companies, native forest managers,...

A hugely positive mid-term review of the FWPA-supported National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life has resulted in the extension of the Centre’s important research activities for a further five years, with the potential for three more. The latest episode of FWPA’s WoodChat podcast series features an interview with Director, Professor Jeff Morrell, who talks about the evolution of the Ce...

Discover how new research into priority areas identified by Australian forest growers will be addressed, thanks to six new PhD research scholarships at the University of Tasmania. The research projects were selected for funding by a working group of FWPA and forest grower members, known as the Grower Research Advisory Committee (GRAC). Successful PhD students will work to address a wide range of c...

Discover an approach that will enhance the Australian forestry industry’s sustainability credentials through improved use of natural resources. Learn more about a recently completed FWPA-commissioned report which lays out a series of sample ecosystem accounts for use by the forestry industry. Plus discover how one Australian forestry company is leading the way by committing to the development of a...

Take a deep dive into some exciting Australian projects focused on the fusion of forestry and technology to help shape and strengthen the forests of the future. Listeners are invited to discover how scientists are working to make smarter, healthier and more productive forests, utilising everything from Artificial Intelligence (AI) to genomics and airborne sensors.

Listeners will hear about research efforts to increase the Australian timber industry’s bushfire preparedness, and capacity to minimise the adverse impacts of future fire events on forestry plantations.

Listeners will hear about a research project that took an in-depth look at the various elements of Australia’s log and woodchip export supply chain, and how it can most effectively be managed. The team behind the comprehensive FWPA-supported study reviewed optimum conditions for logs during storage, haulage and at ports. Their findings are now being used to identify solutions and innovations for a...

In this episode we consider the potential for technologies to be installed permanently within forest environments, to inform better decision making and support optimal forest management. During the episode, listeners will hear about advanced technologies currently being used in Tasmania to monitor the nests of at-risk wedge-tailed eagles, in what could be the first step towards developing a ‘fully...

The latest episode of our WoodChat podcast series takes a look at a new research project that is monitoring the impact of forestry activities on a number of iconic at-risk Tasmanian species, such as wedge-tailed eagles, masked owls, giant freshwater crayfish and Tasmanian devils. During the episode, the hosts speak to Dr Amy Koch, Biodiversity Research Manager at the Forest Practices Authority (FP...