The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2011 as the International Year of Forests. The theme is "Forests for People" - celebrating the central role of people in the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of our world’s forests.
The International Year of Forests is being celebrated around the globe. The objective is to raise public awareness around the importance of forests. Globally more than a billion people depend on forests for their daily livelihoods and sustainable needs. Forests are home to more than 60 million people, mainly members of indigenous and local communities, who reside in forests. Visit http://www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/ for further detail
On 9 March 2011 Hon David Carter, Minister of Forestry, launched the International Year of Forests at Parliament Buildings in Wellington. Hon Carter said, “They [forests] are an integral part of our natural resource-based economy, they provide a range of environmental benefits, and they have cultural significance.”
Read his speech at: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/launch-international-year-forests.
New Zealand IYF events are coordinated by a Committee.
The Committee works to celebrate the IYF and promote sustainable management of forests for conservation, recreation and sustainable production and use of forest products.
The Committee has IYF banners that feature the IYF logo and logos from organisations represented on the Committee. Banners are available for other IYF-related events. If you are interested in the banners, please contact us.
If you are involved in any IYF-related events and would like to be associated with the IYF, please contact a Committee member.
Other organisations are welcome to contribute their events - contact one of the committee members.
News
July
July 28: As part of the United Nations International Year of the Forest (IYF) celebrations, the New Zealand IYF committee is holding a photo competition. This is an opportunity for those training or working within New Zealand’s forests to capture on film those moments where forests improve New Zealand society.
Winning entries will receive either a Canon EOS1100D Twin Lens Kit – or similar ( three available), or an awesome camera accessories package. Winning photos will be displayed at the P F Olsen Forest Industries Expo, and around the forest industry for the remainder of the International Year of the Forest.
The competition is open NOW, and closes 12 noon 26th August 2011.
Full details are included in the accompanying entry form.
July 28: The IYF Committee is sponsoring a Forests for People Award for films focusing on what forests provide as part of the 5th annual sustainability film challenge for young people in New Zealand. We are looking forward to entries dealing with sustainable management, conservation and use of forests, including sustainable production and use of forest products, for the benefit of current and future generations.
The Competition is open now, and entries close on 30 September 2011.
To find out more about this competition go to http://theoutlookforsomeday.net/news/article/32.
The entry form is available here.
Winning films will receive:
July 12: The Department of Conservation has launched a new section on their website celebrating the IYF. Click here to view it.
June
June 30: The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is offering three awards (3 x US$1000) and running a Poster and Essay Competition (1st prize US$500, 2nd prize $300, 3rd prize $250) to celebrate the IYF. These awards aim to recognise the contributions of individuals, groups, communities and companies that positively contribute to the sustainable management and development of forest and tree resources in their country. For more information about this competition, click here.
For other information about what the Secretariat is doing to celebrate the IYF, go to www.spc.int/lrd/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=359&Itemid=514)%20or'.
Events
March
March 9: The IYF was formally launched in New Zealand by Hon David Carter.
March 12: Science in the Park organised by SCION.
Educational material published in Starters & Strategies magazine. Hard copies sent to Schools and it is available online at: http://www.teachingonline.org/TermOne2011/issue1/index.html. The magazine is targeted at teachers of students aged 5-14 years
April
April: Publication of a brochure on MAF' role in Forestry.
May
DOC's promotion of the 'Green Wave – Plant a tree and tell the world about it'. Green Wave is a multi-year global initiative organised by the United Nations and contributes to the Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign.
May 3-5: ANZIF Pacific Forestry Conference in Auckland.
May 20: Eastland Wood Council Forestry Awards.
Other future planned events:
June
Kauri 2000 community and school plantation in Coromandel Peninsula.
July
Televised session for the Young Farmers National Competition at the Masterton Showgrounds. The practical test will involve the competitors putting a chainsaw together, cutting logs, then stacking them with an excavator in a stack and scaling the logs to get the volume.
August
An article on the International Year of Forests in the Biosecurity magazine. The issue is dedicated to Forestry.
The 20th anniversary celebration of the NZ Forest Accord
Tane's Tree Trust's celebration
Bush discovery and Tree planting in Hawke's Bay.
September
Forestry expo in Rotorua.
The Carterton Event Centre inauguration. The Centre is being built using the same multi-story Timber technology as used for the NMIT.
October
Alliance Française photo exhibition. The exhibition is being held in conjunction with the NZIF/NZFFA seminar on the international comparison of forest governance of forests in small-scale-ownership.
Do you have any event that you want listed?
Contact us