More than 190 people have already registered for the 2026 Forestry Australia Symposium, where the sector will spend three days on a question how forestry can strengthen public awareness, build social licence and communicate more effectively with people beyond the sector.

The Symposium runs at the Rex Hotel in Canberra from Wednesday, 7 to Friday 9 October. The theme is The forestry story: strategies for improved awareness, social licence and effective engagement. Registrations have come from foresters, scientists, growers, researchers, educators and communications professionals across the country.

Standard registration rates apply until Friday, 11 September. Final-tier rates apply from Saturday, 12 September.

“It’s a strong program focused on a critical issue for the future of the sector. How we communicate, engage and build trust with the broader community is increasingly important, and the Symposium gives us an opportunity to look critically at what works, what needs to change and how we can do better, ,” Forestry Australia Chief Executive Jacquie Martin said.

Four sessions are drawing particular interest.

• Insights from other rural sectors. A Wednesday afternoon plenary brings in people who have run the same argument elsewhere, in salmon, farming, mining and energy. Speakers include a former chief executive from Tasmania’s salmon industry, Alexandra Gartmann of the Australian Farm Institute, Janina Gawler, a former Rio Tinto executive and Sarah Norris of Snowy Hydro.
• Building influence and politics. A Wednesday panel on advocacy and the political process, with the Hon Nichole Overall MLC alongside speakers from the union movement and the corporate sector.
• The communications workshop. A facilitated session on Thursday will bring communications and engagement professionals together to identify the key messages and themes the sector can align around, while exploring how those messages can be adapted and delivered in ways that are authentic and relevant to each organisation’s brand, mission and stakeholders.
• Lessons for what comes next. A closing panel on where the sector goes from here.

The programme opens with a plenary from journalist and commentator Professor Stan Grant exploring the nature of public debate and the challenges of discussing complex issues. Thursday opens with Dr Simon Longstaff AO of The Ethics Centre.

Friday has five field trips.

All five depart from and return to the Rex, and delegates choose one: urban forestry in Canberra; research and legacy at the Australian National University; community access and plantation forestry with the ACT Parks and Conservation Service; native silviculture, thinning and fire management at Tallaganda State Forest; and alpine ash and snow gums under a changing climate.

Members attending the Symposium earn 15 CPD points. Full registration covers all sessions on 7 and 8 October, the Welcome Reception, the Symposium Dinner at the National Arboretum, and one field trip.

ENDS

Contact: Jason Ross, Marketing and Communications Manager, M: 0448 190 055

MORE INFORMATION

Registration: https://www.forestryconference.com.au/registration/

Full programme: https://www.forestryconference.com.au/program/

Field trips: https://www.forestryconference.com.au/field-trips/

ABOUT FORESTRY AUSTRALIA

Forestry Australia is a not-for-profit, professional association of more than 1,100 forest scientists, managers and growers who work in native forests, plantations and provision of environmental services. Its members are committed to the principles of sustainable forest management and applying these principles to generate environmental, social and economic outcomes in all types of forests and land tenures.