Forestry research leader visits Australia

Gorothy Gibson,
Landscape and Biodiversity officer,
examines a teak plantation in PNG
(photo by Paul Jones)

ACIAR representatives are greeting the Director General of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Dr Peter Holmgren, as he arrives in Australia’s capital this Sunday evening.

ACIAR’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nick Austin, and Forestry Program Manager, Mr Tony Bartlett, will be accompanying the delegation.

Dr Holmgren is in Canberra to open the Institute of Foresters of Australia’s national conference and is using the visit as an opportunity to meet colleagues in research and development agencies, policy makers and industry representatives.

Prior to his position at CIFOR, Dr Holmgren worked at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. He joined FAO, working in forestry, and under his leadership the concept of ‘climate-smart agriculture’ emerged, whereby agricultural productivity, resilience and climate change mitigations are addressed together at all levels.

Dr Holmgren will be joined by Deputy Director General, Professor Peter Kanowski, who is well known internationally for his work in forestry management. Prof Kanowski is also recognised locally for his contributions to Canberra's National Aboretum project.

CIFOR is a nonprofit, global facility dedicated to advancing human wellbeing, environmental conservation and equity. The centre conducts research that enables more informed and equitable decision making about the use and management of forests in less-developed countries.

ACIAR has a long history working with CIFOR, which is part of CGIAR research programs and is this year celebrating its 20^th Anniversary.
 

Farmer Lukus Namai is implementing agroforestry techniques in PNG

The nature of ACIAR’s forestry project work with CIFOR is diverse. There is collaboration on activities from forest conservation and rehabilitation to livelihood enhancement initiatives involving development of mahogany and teak industries.

Forestry development provides livelihood improvement opportunities

ACIAR’s Tony Bartlett is also joining Dr Holmgren at the conference and is chairing a session on International Forestry. As part of this session, case studies of forestry projects in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam will be explored.

The Institute of Foresters of Australia’s “Managing our Forests into the 21^st Century” National conference program is available here. 

Watch Dr Peter Holmgren’s address for the inaugural International Day of Forests (21 March 2013)

(Posted by Alexandra Bagnara, ACIAR Communications)