NEWS
Can't see the wood for the trees?
– Learn more about SA's forestry sector
An infographic-rich website explaining South Africa's forestry
sector has been launched to coincide with The United Nations'
International Day of Forests.
All images courtesy of Forestry Explained
C
ommercial forests are often forgotten, despite the
fact that they touch our lives in a myriad of ways.
“From roof trusses and benches, to paper,
packaging and tissue and the cellulose used in food and
medicine, fibre from commercially grown trees play an
integral part in everyday life,” says Forestry South Africa
executive director, Michael Peter. “If we were to remove
wood and paper-based products from our daily routines,
we would soon appreciate the important function they
perform.”
There is also more to forestry than planting and
harvesting trees. “Thorough research, planning and
management goes into keeping trees, and the land on
which they grow is healthy and productive. The sector also
provides jobs and supports communities.” Add to this the
diverse animal and plant species that call forestry-owned
land home, and you have an environmentally conscious
sector that delivers an array of renewable, carbon neutral
and versatile end-products.
At a local and personal level, forestry touches people –
through the products they use every day without even
knowing it – and communities, through education and
skills development. Forestry also has a positive influence
on climate change mitigation, provides a sustainable
alternative to the deforestation of natural forests and is a
renewable source of energy and construction materials.
A one-stop guide to forestry, the new portal offers itself
as ‘a beginner’s guide to forestry in South Africa’ and
caters for users of all ages. It covers the basics of forestry
and forest products, and everything from water-use to
recreation, pest control, ownership and end uses. This one-
stop resource offers in-depth but easy-to-read content supported by well-illustrated infographics and additional
links for those who want to explore the industry further. It
is ideal for students and teachers.
Sustainably managed commercial forests should be
celebrated for the benefits they bring to our daily life. To
do this we need to understand them and the complex
ecosystems that they are.
Forestry Explained does this and it’s well worth a visit:
www.forestryexplained.co.za.
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JUNE / JULY 2017 //
Seedlings. Image: Sappi