OFO helps next generation of foresters

OneFortyOne and Tenison Woods College are excited about embarking on a new partnership. Students from year levels across the College will attend a planting session taking place this Friday, to coincide with National School Trees Day. Through this experience and others planned for the future, both OneFortyOne and Tenison Woods College are eager to the share the rich and important history of forestry within the Green Triangle and the importance of a sustainable future within our region.

Whilst Planet Ark’s National Trees Day on 29 July focusses on planting local native plants not pine trees, both Tenison Woods College and OneFortyOne are keen to use the day as an opportunity to teach the students about the many benefits of sustainable forestry for the Green Triangle region. Tenison Woods College Sustainability Coordinator Tom Linnell and OneFortyOne’s Estate Manager Andrew Matheson have conceptualised a first for both organisations in the experience, engaging young people with forestry in a deliberate hands-on practical way. Toyota, a major sponsor of National Schools Trees Day, through local Toyota dealership Noel Barr Toyota, will continue to support the College in the planting day, through generously providing colourful t-shirts and gardening gloves, as well as a presence on the day.

Andrew Matheson said “Our local team is passionate about what they do and have worked in these Green Triangle forests for decades. Pretty quickly the idea was put forward about using this as an opportunity to share our love and passion of sustainable forestry with local children”.

OneFortyOne Forestry’s sustainability credentials are certified every year by independent forestry experts ensuring OneFortyOne’s forests are conserved and managed responsibly to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits now and for future generations.

Whilst OneFortyOne protects over 3,000 hectares of native forest patches within its commercial pine estate, the team wanted to teach the children that the Green Triangle forests not only protect the environment, but they also store carbon, provide local jobs, are a really great place for people to find a ghost mushroom and generally just reconnect with nature.

“Sustainable forestry has been the backbone of this region for 100 years, and we want to help inspire the next generation of local children to feel the same passion about this industry as we do, keeping it sustainable for the next 100 years. Wouldn’t it be great to think that one of the young children out there planting today, will now start thinking about a local career in forestry, and maybe even one day become the Chief Executive Officer of OneFortyOne”, said Mr Matheson.

Tom Linnell comments; “Through an innovative curriculum at the College, we are seeking alternate learning experiences within our community, linking sustainability to the many varied industries within our dynamic region. We have recently begun developing a curriculum package, GreenSTEM, aimed at student driven, problem-based projects integrating STEM subjects from a sustainable viewpoint.