In December 2021, the Queensland Government’s Statewide Land and Tree Study (SLATS) released the most recent detections of forest and woodland destruction for 2018-19 using a new and more accurate methodology. This report analyses the 2018-19 SLATS data to quantify destruction of forested habitats for...

Australia is home to some of the world’s most ancient forests. This paper offers policy-makers a blueprint for assessing the true value of our native forests. Recognising the inherent preferencing of the quantitative (particularly when it comes to Expenditure Review Committee processes), the authors conduct...

In this paper, the author describes several ecosystem service frameworks and outlines how these frameworks can inform land use decisions, with a particular focus on those involving forests.

This draft strategy outlines the Western Australian government's approach to protecting and managing forests in Western Australia’s south-west national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, State forests and timber reserves.

This audit examines whether the Victorian Office of the Conservation Regulator (OCR) effectively regulate timber harvesting operations in the state.

This paper reports on a survey of local government urban forest professionals across Australia conducted in July 2020. Focusing on qualitative data from Likert scale and open-ended questions the authors interrogate the barriers and potential enablers to improved urban forest management on private land.

Forests play a vital role in New Zealand’s response to the climate emergency. They are also hugely significant to the economy and to Māori, both culturally and economically. This discussion document seeks feedback on ideas to better manage forests in New Zealand.

Human induced regeneration (HIR) is one of a suite of carbon capture initiatives known as ‘methods’ for creating carbon credits that is overseen by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER). The objective of this study is to develop a suitable methodology to assess the effectiveness of...

This survey report finds that biological diversity was the most highly valued aspect of WA’s south-west native forests, followed by habitat provision for threatened species and communities and a provision of ecosystem services. Furthermore, old growth forest areas, followed by threatened species and communities and...

This paper outlines strategies for stopping deforestation (and other forms of ecosystem conversion) in vulnerable tropical regions. These include our commitment to centre sustainable livelihood opportunities and human rights through bottom-up approaches that support rural communities as ecosystem stewards.

The authors explore the decision-making processes of a sample of Māori landowners in Te Tairāwhiti to understand the extent to which funding programmes and afforestation incentives from the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) enable them to meet their own aspirations for their land. Semi-structured...

This case study explores the effectiveness of the legislation in protecting the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area. It also provides a set of recommendations on how the current management regime can be further strengthened to ensure that the Waitākere Ranges are protected and restored for the...

In June 2020, the New Zealand Government passed the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Reform) Amendment Act 2020 (ETR Act) to reform the architecture of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS). As a result of the ETR Act, from 1 January 2023, post-1989...

As the Conservation Regulator enters its second year of operation, the events of the last year have shown us that it is more important than ever we protect our state’s natural environment so we can enjoy it today and protect it for future generations.

Despite many examples of innovative and sustainable land management practices, a barrier to broader adoption is the immaturity of tools and systems to enable adequate, consistent measurement of ‘natural capital’. This natural capital roadmap seeks to enable sustainable land use transitions through the measurement and...

This report documents how illegal logging by criminal networks and resulting forest fires are connected to acts of violence and intimidation against forest defenders and the Brazilian state’s failure to investigate and prosecute these crimes.

Australian forest policy is in need of an overhaul, and integrating research with decision making is a crucial piece of that puzzle, Rod Keenan writes.

Due to the fragility of forest ecosystems, developing forest recreational resources must consider sustainable ecological, economic, and social development, and reduce impacts from recreational activities. Diverse forests with different biodiversity could promote forest ecosystem services and resistance to the pressure of tourism development. Under such...

This plan describes how the New Zealand Government intends to grow innovative industries, as part of its new, sector-led approach to growing industry innovation and boosting productivity.

This Victorian State of the Forests 2018 report is produced to evaluate and report on the condition of Victoria’s forests, with recommendations for systemic and policy reforms.