In celebration of the International Day of Forests, 21 March 2022, Forestry South Africa (FSA) released two short videos that highlight how sustainably managed South African forestry is contributing to a greener, more sustainable, future.
“The International Day of Forests is an opportunity to promote and create awareness about both indigenous and planted forests. This year’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) theme – sustainable production and consumption – speaks to the sustainable forestry being practiced in South Africa.” – Dr Ronald Heath, FSA Director: Research and Protection.
To raise awareness about the social, environmental and economic benefits of sustainable forestry and to promote the production and consumption of sustainably managed forest products, Forestry South Africa has commissioned a video that creates a link between South Africa’s planted forests and the forest products and services the industry provides. The full 3-minute video will be launched at FSA’s AGM on 5 May 2022, with the 40 second trailers launched on 21 March in celebration of the International Day of Forests.
“We truly support the FAO’s campaign ‘Sustainable Wood for a Sustainable World’ (SW4SW) which will be launched at the World Forestry Congress. However, we also identify the need to more closely link sustainable forestry to this. There is still a huge disconnect for people outside our industry, between sustainable forestry and the multitude of forestry products they use in their everyday lives. The FSA video addresses this, by introducing the concept that South African foresters are not only growing pine, eucalypts and wattle, they are growing medicines, clothing, sustainable livelihoods and businesses, glues and paints, cosmetics, food items and so much more. By reconnecting sustainable forestry to the forestry products that all South African’s benefit from, we will be raising awareness about forestry’s potential and promoting sustainable consumption and production”, Dr Ronald Heath, FSA’s Head of Communications and Director of Research and Protection.
FSA is also sponsoring an International Forestry Students Association (IFSA) South Africa photo competition to celebrate the International Day of Forests.
“The forestry students of today, will become our industry’s leaders of tomorrow. It is important that we include their voice in the promotion of forestry and forests, especially on International Days such as this. They are already incredibly passionate about forestry and the benefits it provides. Many of them have grown up in forestry communities and so know first hand the employment and entrepreneurial opportunities it brings. By partnering with IFSA and the Forest Sector Charter Council (FSCC) and using the FSA Instagram profile @forestry_explained to host the photographic competitions, we are providing forestry students from across the country, the opportunity to add their voice to those promoting sustainable production and consumption of forestry products this International Day of Forests”, explains Dr Katy Johnson, FSA’s Communication Consultant.
View the students photographs on 21 March by visiting @forestry_explained
Did you know?
Commercial forestry and its value chains in South African provides employment to approximately 150 000 people, many of whom live in rural communities where poverty and unemployment are at their highest rates. These figures are likely to increase significantly with the investment promised under the Presidentially-led Public Private Growth Initiative (PPGI) and corresponding Forestry Master Plan, where the industry has committed to spending R23.9 billion over the next five years and creating 108 000 new jobs by 2023[1].
Over 80% of the land under forestry production is certified under Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)[2], an international scheme that ensures forestry is conducted in a sustainable fashion. A second certification scheme, Sustainable African Forestry Assurance Scheme (SAFAS) was introduced in 2018 providing a second string of accreditation for sustainable forestry, this time under the guidance of PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).
Within the patchwork forestry landscape 289 713 hectares of natural ecosystems can be found, of which 159 198 hectares of natural grasslands, 47 416 hectares of water bodies and 61 197 hectares of indigenous forests which are all managed, monitored and maintained by the Industry[3]. These natural spaces play an important role within the forestry landscape, harbouring a wealth of biodiversity, recreational opportunities and natural attractions.
Forestry currently contributes 10.4% of South Africa’s Agricultural GDP, while forest products contribute 4.5% of the Manufacturing GDP; with the Sector recording a positive trade balance of R2.7 billion[4]. South Africa’s commercial forests also provides the hundreds of sustainably produced wood-based products that benefit our local market. These include the obvious – poles, paper, pencils, pine furniture and planks, along with the countless applications that most people would never believe originated in our forests, including glue, pill coatings, washing powder, creams and lipsticks, dresses, flavouring, xylitol[5] – the list goes on.
Our plantations and the wood-based products they produce have an important role in the fight against climate change[6]. By now we know the benefit of planting trees and across South Africa’s commercial plantations thousands are planted every day. These capture atmospheric carbon from the day they are planted, locking it into their wood and the soil around their roots. Upon harvesting, new trees are planted to continue capturing CO2, while the harvested trees keep the carbon locked safely in their wood as they begin their transformation to their ultimate product. So be it a book, some MDF board, wood-based fabric, paper or card, the carbon captured by the trees remains safely stored until the day you throw it into a landfill or burn it!
References
3. Forestry Protecting Forests Infographic
4. SA Forestry and Forest Products 2019 and Forestry Facts Pamphlet
5. Not all Forest Products are Wooden Infographic
6. FAO State of the World’s Forests
Media enquiries should be directed to – Dr Ronald Heath, FSA Director: Research and Protection ronald@forestrysouthafrica.co.za