I chose forestry because I love the bush, being outdoors, and close to nature. In my career I’ve been fortunate to work in the field, in operational, advocacy, technical and policy roles.

These activist groups persistently push the narrative that sustainable forest management is “deforestation.” This is simply misinformation. In Australia, forestry is strictly regulated and governed by some of the world’s toughest environmental laws to ensure that no deforestation occurs and that plants and animals are protected. Our forests are also independently certified to internationally recognised standards, ensuring that biodiversity, water quality, soil health, Indigenous rights, and climate outcomes are safeguarded.

A sustainably managed forest provides far greater climate benefits than one left unmanaged. Young, regrowing trees absorb more carbon than older trees – a fact recognised globally by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Harvesting and regrowth cycles maintain a steady supply of young, healthy trees that pull carbon from the atmosphere while providing a renewable material to replace more carbon-intensive materials such as steel and concrete.

History shows what happens when management stops. In the 2000s, large portions of the Pilliga Forest were converted to national park to protect the koala. At the time, the Pilliga held arguably the largest koala population in Australia. I was proud, as a forester, to showcase this thriving population, which benefited from a sustainably managed regrowing thriving forest environment. Yet, two decades on, reports now describe koalas in the Pilliga as “functionally extinct.” As an environmentalist this makes me very sad. Similarly, also in NSW species such as bandicoots and potoroos became locally extinct in a national park and had to be reintroduced from nearby state forests where they were thriving under active management.

What this shows is that doing nothing is not the same as managing the bush. When active, science-based management stops, forests can shift in ways that reduce food sources, increase the risk of catastrophic wildfires, habitat diversity, and resilience for species like koalas. Selective harvesting, carefully planned and carried out by skilled operators, together with independent third-party certification, helps maintain a balance of species and habitats. This balance plays an untold role in keeping forests healthy and able to support wildlife alongside providing the renewable materials we all rely on.

Australia’s forests have adapted to more than 60,000 years of human disturbance through active and adaptive management by First Nations people. Practices such as fire-stick farming shaped our landscapes, creating biodiversity, encouraging wildlife, and reducing the risk of catastrophic fire. To think we can now “lock up” forests and walk away is naïve and ignores this long history.

Unfortunately, activist campaigns often focus narrowly on a single species, like the koala, but also the Leadbeater’s possum or the swift parrot, portraying them as endangered in managed forests when the government’s own science shows they are doing well there. By concentrating on emotion and ‘cute and cuddly’ imagery, these campaigns divert attention from the bigger picture: the many other species and whole ecosystems that rely on active, responsible management to remain healthy. Processes of disturbance and regeneration is part of a forest’s ecology, perhaps activist groups driven by their love of nature appear to see disturbance as unnatural and damaging, but in reality, it is an essential component of forest ecology and removing disturbance has adverse outcomes. These activist groups should put their time and effort into the real threat to Australia’s native plants and animals, such as land clearing and feral animals.

As a forester, I am proud to work in an industry that not only provides positive environmental outcomes but also delivers significant socio-economic benefits, contributing billions to the economy and supporting local manufacturing. The forestry industry is a sustainable self-funding renewable industry made of people who love and care about the environment. In other parts of the world, communities take pride in their sustainably managed forests, recognising them as part of the solution to climate change and biodiversity conservation. Sadly, here in Australia, misinformation has too often driven policy.

If we truly care about koalas, we need to ask: are we making decisions that actually protect them, or are we just offshoring our environmental responsibility? Australians love timber, and we will need more of it for a sustainable built environment. If we lock up our forests without a plan, where is that timber going to come from?

Beyond the jobs, livelihoods, misinformation, political points, buy-outs and handouts, I think most of us want the same thing: a sustainable future for our kids and to protect the bush, wildlife and places we love for the next generation. Yet I can’t help but feel we’re living in an episode of Utopia… make a decision, score the points, forget about the detail and the long term.

Dr John Raison’s recent article, Sustainable Management of Australia’s Native Forests: The Community Should Not Be Misled by Ideology and Misinformation, highlights the ongoing battle against misinformation surrounding sustainable forestry. These misconceptions, ranging from claims that harvesting equals deforestation to the idea that native forests can easily be replaced with plantations, are dangerous because they influence public policy and consumer attitudes. If we don’t actively communicate the truth to those outside the industry, we risk allowing these falsehoods to shape the future of forestry in Australia.

To tackle this, we must step outside our comfort zones and engage with new audiences. I recently attended the Sustainability Networking Event in Melbourne, the Impact X Summit in Sydney, and am about to attend the Sustainable Industrial Manufacturing – Asia Pacific Conference (SIM-PAC) in Brisbane. These events provided an opportunity to discuss the benefits to society provided through sustainable forest management and the role of certified wood in reducing embodied carbon in construction. I spoke with architects, engineers, policymakers, and sustainability leaders many of whom were unaware of the stringent sustainability frameworks that govern forestry, from federal and state legislation to internationally agreed upon criterion and indicators all the way to voluntary certification systems like PEFC. These outside-of-the-echo-chamber interactions were invaluable in starting dialogues and shifting perspectives. It’s a small but important step when it comes to highlighting certified forest and wood products as the ultimate renewable resource.

The forestry industry cannot afford to be an echo chamber. Industry professionals know that sustainable forestry supports biodiversity, mitigates climate change, and provides economic benefits to rural communities. We understand that responsible harvesting practices regenerate forests rather than destroy them. However, unless we actively communicate this to those outside our industry, misconceptions will continue to dominate the conversation. Keeping the synergy between sustainable forests, their products and environmental responsibility top of mind is so critical, not only to guide informed consumer choices but also to ensure our message resonates clearly beyond industry borders, shifting perceptions to trust and understanding. Market research consistently shows most people aren’t fundamentally against sustainable forestry; rather, they haven’t been engaged effectively or clearly enough to understand its benefits and positive impacts. Our opportunity lies in proactively shaping the narrative to improve meaningful understanding.

Dr Raison’s article underscores the need for evidence-based discussions, but we must take it a step further by ensuring that scientific research and industry expertise reach mainstream audiences. Continued and frequent engagement with policymakers, urban planners, builders, climate advocates, and educators is an important step. We need to show how responsible forestry is part of the climate solution – not the problem.

At Responsible Wood, we are committed to expanding these conversations. Through our partnerships with organisations like SIM-PAC and Forestry Australia, we are working to integrate sustainable wood solutions into broader sustainability discussions. Additionally, we host field trips where attendees experience firsthand the operations of certified sustainable forestry. These hands-on experiences provide a deeper understanding of responsible forest management and its role in sustainable construction.

We are also engaging with the next generation by speaking directly to students about the importance of forestry. I have also had the opportunity to present to a schools, where I highlighted the diverse career opportunities within the sector, the environmental benefits of sustainable forestry, and how responsible wood sourcing supports climate and biodiversity goals. Educating young people ensures that future decision-makers understand the critical role forestry plays in a sustainable future.

Social licence is more than industry events, social media posts, clicks, and conversations, it’s about building genuine trust and credibility through authentic, meaningful engagement with the wider community. Most people aren’t against forestry; they’re simply unfamiliar with the real benefits sustainable forest management can offer. By actively engaging beyond our usual channels, communicating transparently, and listening authentically to community concerns, we build the trust and confidence needed to secure the long-term social licence forestry deserves.

We need more voices from the forestry sector to step up and participate in these conversations. If we want the public and policymakers to understand the value of sustainable forestry, we must go beyond our traditional circles. The future of forestry depends on how well we communicate our story. Let’s break out of the echo chamber and ensure that the right messages reach the right audiences.