Institute of Foresters of Australia

Going strong since 1935, the Institute of Foresters of Australia is a professional body with over 1100 members engaged in all branches of forest management and conservation in Australia. The Institute is strongly committed to the principles of sustainable forest management and the processes and practices which translate these principles into outcomes.

The membership represents all segments of the forestry profession, including public and private practitioners engaged in many aspects of forestry, nature conservation, resource and land management, research, administration and education. Membership is not restricted to professional foresters. Other forestry professionals are welcome to join IFA. The IFA is registered nationally as a Company Limited by Guarantee operating under a Constitution. The ‘Objects’ of the Institute are:

• To advance and protect the cause of forestry.
• To maintain a high standard of qualification in persons engaged in the practice of forestry.
• To promote professional standards and ethical practice among those engaged in forestry.
• To promote social intercourse between persons engaged in forestry.
• To publish and make educational, marketing and other materials available to those engaged in forestry.
• To provide the services of the Institute to forestry organisations inside Australia and in overseas countries as the Board may deem appropriate.

The Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA) has obtained a grant from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources - Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund to develop leadership skills in early career professionals (up to age 35yrs). Limited sponsorship from the Australian National University’s Jack Westoby Fund will be also available to support participation of IFA student members in the conference.

Forest management is concerned with the ecosystem as a whole, integrating all components of a particular ecosystem to achieve the objectives set by the forest or land owner. Forest management problems often require a multi-disciplinary approach, so a forester may work with other professionals such as zoologists, hydrologists, economists, entomologist and accountants.

A unique characteristic of forestry is its focus on the long term sustainability of forested ecosystems. This requires that foresters deal with day-to-day variables, such as weather, but also consider the long term view often more than 100 years. Planning is therefore a large part of forest management: short term planning for each season of a year and long term planning to enure that all other activities contribute to the long term objectives of management.