A Message From Focus Organizers

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your valuable contributions to the success of Focus on Forestry 2023. The event, hosted by CMO, Nelson Mandela University, and Forestry South Africa, took place from 7-9 November 2023 at the picturesque Karkloof Country Club in the KZN Midlands, South Africa.

Under the theme "The Value of Forestry in a Greening Economy," Focus on Forestry 2023 aimed to engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including forest landowners, growers, managers, contractors, academics, researchers, consultants, training providers, governmental organizations, and equipment suppliers in the forestry industry.

Throughout the three days, the conference delved into various aspects of the forestry value chain, covering topics such as nurseries, fire management, silviculture, forest engineering, wood biomass, carbon, and other areas relevant to the theme. The inclusive approach ensured that participants from small growers to large-scale industrial plantations, as well as those interested in sustainably managed natural forests and related ecosystems, found valuable insights.

On Day 1, the focus was on general forest management, nurseries, silviculture, fire, and other risk management and certification. Day 2 centered around forest engineering, carbon, and biomass harvesting. Both days were thoughtfully structured to provide meaningful content for participants with diverse subject area specializations.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Sappi for generously granting us access to their plantation, a pivotal contribution that enriched the Focus on Forestry Field Day and Live Demo held on November 9. Their provision of this venue near the conference site facilitated immersive hands-on experiences and impactful practical demonstrations, enhancing the overall quality of our event.

Regarding ticket prices, we offered early bird and standard pricing options for both conference days, as well as separate rates for Day 1 and Day 2. A special discounted ticket was made available exclusively for full-time students, allowing them to attend both conference days and the field day at the affordable price of only R2000. To all students who took advantage of this special offer, we thank you for your participation.

Once again, thank you to the attendees, sponsors, presenters and everyone who contributed to making Focus on Forestry 2023 a resounding success. Your support and enthusiasm have truly made a positive impact, and we look forward to welcoming you all to our next Focus On Forestry conference in 2025.

In the meantime, please take a moment to peruse the presentations delivered by our esteemed speakers who contributed significantly to the success of the Focus on Forestry Conference 2023. Kindly access the desired presentation by selecting the respective title. This action will seamlessly redirect you to the corresponding PDF file for your perusal.

Interested in revisiting presentations from Focus on Forestry?

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