A tree starts with a seed … and a well-managed forest starts with a seed database and correctly identified, recorded and stored seed collections.
Meet Joel Dawson, who works for Forestry Corporation of NSW, who is using his Gottstein Trust Skills Development Grant, awarded in late 2024, to develop a seed database for NSW state hardwood forests, which will be able to be accessed by land managers and forestry agencies to help manage at-risk eucalypt species.
“While other land managers have some of this information in databases already, our current dataset at forestry in NSW is in spread sheet format and is need of updating to a relational database”, said Joel. “We should be able to bring together more data such as spatial information and germination rates for specific environmental conditions.”
It’s an important platform for the future, with clear benefits that Joel highlighted, “This accessible database will help with restoration of forests after bushfires or other disruptions.”
“The grant has allowed me to conduct field trips across NSW, ACT, Tasmania and Victoria gathering information, and seeds, to develop a set of procedures for managing seed collections, storage and linking of information needed to restore hardwood forests.”
can be found here.
He’d found out about the Gottstein Trust Skills Development Grant through a colleague and encourages others to apply, something they must do before this year’s round closes in just a few days.
Based at Eden, NSW as Resources Supervisor – South, his role encompasses Batemans Bay, Tumbarumba and Eden management areas of the state hardwood forest estate. “Working in forestry and on coastal NSW is pretty special,” according to Joel
“The Gottstein Trust were great to work with in the application process. I found the application process really straightforward through the online form. If you have any idea of an area you’d like to upskill in don’t hesitate to apply, as it’s a fantastic opportunity,” he said.
