Pictured: Teaming up for Future Foresters Technology Day, from the left: Sorbus Director Phil Wade, RFS Future Foresters Officer, Adam Todd and Jenni Hedges, Moulton Countryside Management
New technologies are helping to transform forestry and arboriculture into one of the most progressive and exciting land based sectors to be involved in. The Royal Forestry Society’s first national conference for students will bring together those at the forefront of technology with the users of the future.
On 20 October 2017, up to 250 students – all foresters, arborists, woodland & countryside managers in the making – will have the chance to hear and quiz top speakers and join in interactive demonstrations of some of the most advanced and sophisticated technologies coming on to and currently used in the forestry/arboriculture market.
The conference – the Future Foresters Technology Day – is being held in partnership with Sorbus International, hosted by Moulton College in Northamptonshire and sponsored by Stihl. It is open to current and recently graduated forestry, arboriculture and countryside students from all universities and colleges around the UK.
RFS Future Foresters Officer Adam Todd says: ” A thriving UK forestry sector needs high tech savvy workers. Robotics, sensing equipment and other new technologies have helped transform forestry into one of the most progressive and exciting land based sectors to be involved in.
“Today’s foresters will increasingly be using an array of sophisticated computer, drone, mapping and measuring technologies; be involved in cutting edge research to develop trees which meet customer requirements from timber quality to disease resilience; or be using computerised processing and harvesting equipment costing many £100,000s.”
Sorbus International, supplier of specialist and hi-tech equipment for arboriculture, forestry, utilities, grounds maintenance, and landscaping has been involved in the organisation of the day from the beginning. Director Phil Wade says: “Sorbus are delighted to be involved in this exciting initiative to enthuse existing and the future generation of prospective forestry and arboriculture professionals. Those of us already involved in these sectors know that some very hi tech equipment and systems are already in use and are being constantly developed. We need to be proactive in convincing more students that a career in a land based discipline is one that will be rewarding and provide a high degree of job satisfaction.”
Moulton College Principal Stephen Davies adds: “We are delighted to be involved with such an exciting and progressive project, I firmly believe that students will find the conference both challenging and rewarding and will further their ambitions within the area of forestry and arboriculture.”
Simon Hewitt, Head of Marketing at STIHL, is also enthusiastic about the project, and said “We are really excited to be a part of the conference. STIHL is a company that prides itself on innovation and we are looking forward to sharing our passion for cutting-edge technology with the next generation of foresters.”
On the day, Haglof will be presenting a complete DP II computer calliper mensuration system the participating college that best makes the case for “The impact of advancing technology on Future Foresters” .Details of how to take part are available on the Future Foresters Technology Day event site.
Full details and tickets are available at www.rfs.org.uk/events/future-foresters .
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