International Year of Forests Launched

Media Release from Wood Council of New Zealand (Woodco):

International Year of Forests Launched

10 March 2011

The 2011 International Year of Forests was launched last night (SUBS: 9 March 2011) at Parliament by Minister of Forestry David Carter and Woodco Chair Doug Ducker.

"New Zealand's forests are an integral part of our country, economically, socially, and recreationally" said Mr. Ducker.

"Over twenty thousand New Zealanders are directly employed in forests and wood, often in some of the most underemployed and underprivileged parts of the country. New Zealanders are housed in wood, the most environmentally sustainable and reliable buildings available. And forests are worth over four billion dollars every year to this country"

Both Mr Ducker and Minister Carter looked to see wood used extensively in the rebuild of Christchurch, as a material with impeccable earthquake-proofing credentials.

"I’d like to see a significant amount of timber used in the rebuilding programme – any observer of Christchurch will see that many timber structures have survived. Older stone and brick have not" said Minister Carter in his speech.

The International Year of Forests will see a program of events taking place throughout the year, with groups throughout the sector involved.

The IYF steering committee consists of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry, Wood Processors' Association, Forest Owners Association, SCION, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Department of Conservation. The lead sponsor is NZ Wood.

ENDS

The full text of the Minister's speech is available at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/launch-international-year-forests

© Scoop Media