The second day of Forestry Australia’s 2025 Conference, held in Adelaide, continues to bring together 400 attendees under the theme Restoring forests and landscapes and securing Australia’s future.

Running from 20 to 23 October, the conference aligns with the 150th anniversary of plantation forestry in Australia and celebrates the 90-year anniversary of the Institute of Foresters of Australia, trading as Forestry Australia.

As part of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, today’s sessions focus on integrating traditional knowledge with modern practices to advance sustainable forest management. A key highlight is the exploration of First Nations’ leadership in managing Australia’s vast forest landscapes, alongside innovative approaches to balancing ecological, cultural, and economic outcomes.

Day 2 Highlights

• The Hon. Clare Scriven MLC, South Australia’s Minister for Forest Industries, launched the book ‘Evolution of the Forestry Industry in South Australia 1975 – 2025’.
• First Nations and Forest Management Panel

With First Nation communities owning or controlling nearly  80 million hectares of Australia’s forests—60% of the total forest estate, including Indigenous Protected Areas, land under Indigenous Land Use Agreements, and forested land subject to Native Title—this session explored how traditional ecological knowledge can be integrated with western science. The panel highlighted new forest management paradigms that reflect cultural values, enhance biodiversity, build climate resilience, and create sustainable economic opportunities for local communities. Discussions also addressed challenges and requirements for successful collaborations between First Nations communities, government agencies, and the forestry sector to achieve long-term cultural, ecological, and economic outcomes. Panellists include:

• • Courtney Hunter-Hebberman, a Peramangk fire custodian, cultural educator, and advocate. She leads cultural fire projects that restore ecosystems and strengthen Indigenous knowledge systems, using her award-winning art and poetry to share stories and inspire future generations to protect Country.
  • Gibson Farmer Illortaminni, Deputy-Chairman of Tiwi Plantations Corporation and Chair of Port Melville Pty Ltd. A Senior Tiwi Aboriginal man, he has been instrumental in developing forestry and woodchip exports on the Tiwi Islands, creating jobs and income for Tiwi communities since starting his forestry career at age 17.

• • Tolita David-Angeles, a Cobble-Cobble woman from western Bunya Mountains, Queensland who grew up on Butchulla Country, chair of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Indigenous Working Group.

• • Kim Puruntatameri, Chair of Tiwi Plantations Corporation and Deputy Chair of Port Melville Pty Ltd. A Senior Tiwi Aboriginal man, he has championed large-scale forestry and employment opportunities on the Tiwi Islands, ensuring representation from all eight Tiwi clan groups.

Media Contact:

Jenna Hammond – 0448 424 899
For more information, visit: https://www.forestryconference.com.au/speakers/

ABOUT FORESTRY AUSTRALIA
Forestry Australia is an independent, not-for-profit professional association of more than 1,000 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.