Inspiring forestry education

The ‘Wood is Good’ programme recently came to Motueka South School to educate children about forestry’s role in daily life.

Dan Lane, employed in the forestry sector, has three children at the school and reflects on the impact of the visit.

“Seeing kids realise how often we use forestry products every day, like our Weet-Bix boxes, was the best thing. Often the wood industry is unheard of and never seen, yet we are out here pumping millions of dollars into the economy every year.”

The programme, that educates children about forestry’s role in daily life, includes a forestry session and a session out at a loaded log truck for every classroom, as well as activities, videos and activity books.

The sessions give a detailed background to where and why log trucks are on the roads we travel on. Topics covered include carbon storage, using drones as tools, and road safety, whereby students get to sit in the driver’s seat of the log truck and gain an understanding of blind spots.

“It was a great day; the programme was well-received, and our three kids loved it,” Dan adds.

Supported by the Wood Industry Development and Education Trust and the Forest Growers Levy Trust, ‘Wood is Good’ not only highlights the forestry sector’s importance but also aims to inspire future generations to consider involvement or careers in this important industry.