Bright future ahead for Australia’s young foresters

Forestry Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of two new co-chairs to lead its Future Foresters Initiative (FFI) Committee.

Alannah Rowe and David Faluyi will head up the committee made up of young forestry professionals and forest science students which aims to support career growth and foster the next generation of forestry leaders.

Ms Rowe and Mr Faluyi replace outgoing co-chairs Pat McCarthy and Tegan Brown.

Forestry Australia President Bob Gordon welcomed Ms Rowe and Mr Faluyi to their roles, saying they represented a bright future for young foresters in Australia.

“The Future Foresters Initiative aims to provide support to students and early career forestry professionals, as well as highlight the wide-ranging career pathways available within the forestry field,” Mr Gordon said

“Forestry is such a diverse sector, and the committee is made up of talented young foresters with wonderfully diverse skillsets and backgrounds to match the many opportunities ahead for the next generation.

“Both Alannah and David are highly skilled and extremely passionate young professionals and together with the committee, represent a bright future for the forestry profession in Australia.

“I’d also like to thank outgoing co-chairs Pat McCarthy and Tegan Brown for their commitment and leadership of the committee, particularly throughout the challenges presented by the pandemic.”

Alannah Rowe is currently working as an Environmental Consultant and conducts botanical surveys for mining clients throughout Western Australia.

Ms Rowe said her desire to address the need for climate change adaptation through ecologically sustainable forest management practices led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in environmental management.

“I am honoured to represent the Future Foresters Initiative as co-chair,” she said.

“Being a part of a wonderful and amazingly talented group of like-minded individuals and discussing forestry at a national level is pretty remarkable, and I’m delighted to continue to collaborate, share and explore my passion, which is more than just a job to me.”

Mr Faluyi is a GIS and Spatial Systems Officer at Sustainable Timber Tasmania and is passionate about improving environmental outcomes through sustainable Forestry, Agriculture and Energy production.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with the community of students, young professionals, and other young people who are interested in our sector,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to fostering collaborations and contributing to the resilient and thriving forestry sector that we all love, as well as growing our own induvial skillsets, together.”

Nine FFI committee members including Ms Rowe and Mr Faluyi met in Canberra last weekend for a Leadership and Planning weekend, funding for the weekend was provided through the Department of Agriculture’s Leadership Grant.

The group refined the FFI’s mission, planned their strategy for the coming years and developed their leadership skills.

Committee members also took part in a field trip hosted by Prof Peter Kanowski and Peter Langdon to the National Arboretum, Namarag Nature Reserve, where the group recognised Traditional Owner, forest and landscape restoration, and the Downer Micro-forest – a community led urban forest initiative.

Media contact:
David Abbott
Font PR
0400 446 736
davida@fontpr.com.au