Fig in the forest, QueenslandAndrew Smith

Competition: Other States May 2012

We could have it so much better! Leisure, not logging, is the future of native forests.

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Magnificent places under threatThink about it. Huge tracts of spectacularly forested hills. Panoramic ocean views periodically peek through the canopy. Creeks lined with lush rainforest trickle down gullies, providing pure, clear water for anglers and oyster farmers. A peaceful relaxing breakfast in the eco-lodge. Relaxation doesn’t last long for people seeking more energetic pursuits! This is perfect terrain for mountain biking, orienteering, climbing, canyoning and adventure racing. This is an ancient landscape, not too steep like across the Tasman, but constantly undulating and changing form. There are spectacular places to spend a weekend.

These are NSW’s state forests, two million hectares of public land, with most between Bega and Ballina east of the Great Divide, containing the best landscapes outside national parks. Native forest logging shuts us out of these forests and prevents us from maximising their economic return and public benefit . Sure, Forestry Corporation will claim that recreation is allowed in state forests and that’s true - until logging starts, when it’s everyone out. And, sorry about this, but your bike track now runs through carnage.

A convergence of interestsWe could have it so much better. There is another model for state forests that has better economics, is much more equitable, sustainable and … is fun! We can use our state forests to dramatically expand high-quality outdoor recreation, nature-based tourism and nature conservation. Despite having some of the finest landscapes in the world for outdoor sports we lag far behind other countries. Anyone who has visited New Zealand knows how true that is. Here’s how it could work. But first, a disclosure.

I’m an ecologist and am passionate about the conservation of Australia’s unique flora and fauna. I want my kids to be able to see the wonders that I have. This is my primary motivation to end native forest logging. But I also love hiking, mountain biking and cross country running. Most people in our

organisation, the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA), love the outdoors almost as much as they dislike logging. That’s the joy of this idea: conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts share a common interest!

A win for the environment …The NPA sees national parks as being under siege. Everyone wants a piece of them because they are the most intact large landscapes left. But using them for recreation such as horse riding, mountain biking and large running events compromises conservation outcomes, spreads weeds and damages fragile species and ecosystems. Encouraging these activities in state forests with lower conservation values would buffer national parks while simultaneously expanding outdoor recreation opportunities. Talk about a win-win!

Under this model, some state forests would become national parks, primarily areas that contain forest ecosystems that are under-represented in existing national parks. Others may be particularly important for iconic threatened species like koalas or quolls. But as the reserve network is heavily biased to upland areas1,2, it’s likely that many outstanding ecosystems will be on the coastal lowlands. Or, to put it another way, those that are flat and boring and not so much fun for recreation. Another win-win perhaps.

And a win for the community!The remaining forests could be classified according to their attributes. For example, forests which have suitable terrain and are close to large towns and future urban growth areas could be prioritised for higher impact recreation. Those linking to or between national parks could be prioritised for connectivity and low-impact recreation. This would allow people maximum opportunities to get out and play and cater for the needs of a growing population, while still preserving important natural values. It may even help to prise kids away from screens.

There’s no catchBut what about wood? What about jobs? Well, the startling fact is, 80% of NSW’s

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100 year forest, Nature Reserve, PembertonCredit: Tourism WA

wood is produced from plantations3. In the last decade, plantation wood production has steadily grown while native timber output has crashed. The once-mighty timber company Gunns went bankrupt, and mills have closed all over the state. Between 2009 and 20124 the Forestry Corporation lost $85 million, paid by NSW taxes. And their workforce has steadily declined to 5965 in 2014. In contrast, tourism directly employs 159,000 people across the state and is growing6. It’s clear that tourism and nature-based activities provide a far better economic return than logging, and provide far more jobs.

We pay huge sums of money for logging, driving our most iconic species to extinction7, stimulating forest dieback8, creating the only global deforestation front found in a developed nation9 and fuelling social conflict7. Temperate eucalypt forests are also some of the most carbon dense in the world10. Logging releases this carbon, which drives climate change which in turn is predicted to increase extreme weather11 in a country of extremes.

We could have it so much better. We could allow these remarkable forests to do what they do best: provide homes for wildlife and services to humans. And we could have economic profit from forests too. Because

our natural assets are the envy of billions of people worldwide, investing in ecotourism will give NSW a competitive advantage. Grab a map. Have a look. It’s almost possible to travel from the Victorian border to Nowra without leaving a state forest! It’s not much different between Ballina and Port Macquarie.

How can we pay for this?The reality is we are already paying for forest management via treasury grants to pay for fire management and feral animal control. Weeds are rife and a pain for neighbours. Forestry Corporation’s business model doesn’t account for these basic management requirements.

One funding model could see initial investment by government to provide infrastructure to support and encourage private tourism investors. A portion of their profits would pay for forest management and tourism infrastructure. New Zealand successfully operates such a model. Another option is user pays, where forest visitors pay a fee which goes towards infrastructure maintenance. One example of this is the successful NSW recreational fishing licence.

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