Forest Management - FAQ
How are forest managed?
Photo: SAForestry
The Australian Government has been working with the forest industries for many years to maximise new national and international opportunities whilst also protecting the environment and contributing to the prosperity and quality of life of those living in rural and regional Australia.
During this time, the community’s understanding of forest ecology has increased and attitudes towards forest conservation have changed. To reflect these changes the Australian Government has developed new management practices to maintain and protect a range of forest values whilst still meeting sustainable wood yields for the forestry industry.
One of the most important influences on forest management in Australia today is the Montréal Process. This is a set of criteria and indicators developed by an international working group in 1994 to achieve sustainable forest management. Implementation of policies and programs based on the criteria are voluntary but already twelve countries on five continents, representing 60% of the world’s forests, have decided to incorporate the guidelines.
Australia took the first step towards assessing the sustainability of its forest management with the development of a 'regional framework' of criteria and indicators based on the Montreal Process. This framework has been incorporated into a national forest policy and subsequent forest management practices.
Read more about the: Montreal Process and sustainable forest management.
Read more about: forest management policies and programs in Australia
Or, for more information on the Montreal Process, visit the Montreal Process website.
