BATHURST NSW MARCH 20 – 21st 2024

Natural Capital

Trees as an alternative crop

Conference Speakers:

The organising committee of the New South Wales Tree Conference is honoured to announce the following speakers who will be contributing their expertise to our 2024 agenda:

  • Rowan Reid

    Bambra Agroforestry Farm, Private Tree Grower, Author of "Heartwood - the art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit"

    In 1985, at the age of just 24, Rowan co-authored the book Agroforestry in Australia and New Zealand. He has since been a leader in the development of agroforestry education and extension programs in Australia having developed the first undergraduate course in agroforestry in Australia and the very successful Australian Master TreeGrower Program. Rowan was awarded the 2000 Eureka Prize in Environmental Education for his work on the program.

    Rowan as authored many books, conference papers and scientific papers. His latest book is: Heartwood: The art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit.

  • Professor Rodney Keenan

    School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Melbourne

    Rod is former Professor and Chair of Forest and Ecosystem Sciences at the University of Melbourne. Rod has research interests in sustainable forest management, forests and climate change, trees on farms, ecosystem services and forest and climate policy. He has worked across Australia, in Canada, Papua New Guinea and South East Asia and has led major research projects on farmer-timber industry partnerships and quantifying the business case for trees on farms in Australia.

  • Dr Fabiano Ximenes

    Senior Research Scientist in Forest Science, NSW DPI

    Fabiano has worked in carbon and biomass issues for over twenty years, including more recently the potential for biomass use for a range of applications. Fabiano was one of lead authors of the IPCC 2013 Revised Supplementary Methods and Good Practice Guidance Arising from the Kyoto Protocol (Harvested Wood Products chapter). More recently Fabiano has established a network of woody crop trials across NSW, as an opportunity to grow trees in marginal, less productive land to supply growing biomass needs for decarbonisation outcomes.

  • Dr Daniel Florance

    Senior research officer, Australian National University Sustainable Farms Team

    Dan is a field-based research ecologist with the Sustainable Farms team at the Australian National University. Dan has a strong interest in the conservation of native biodiversity, using scientific research to provide practical, evidence-based solutions to effectively integrate conservation within Australian agricultural landscapes and achieve genuine environmental outcomes. Much of his research has focused on the design and management of on-farm natural assets including shelterbelts, agroforestry and revegetation projects to maximise multipurpose benefits to the environment and agriculture

  • Dr David Bush

    Director of the CSIRO Australian Tree Seed Centre

    Dr David Bush is Director of the CSIRO Australian Tree Seed Centre based in Canberra. His research interests include the conservation and utilisation of Australian tree species for multiple uses including forestry, integration into agricultural landscapes, revegetation and to underpin new industries including carbon sequestration and biomass for bioenergy. He has extensive experience with designing programmes for testing new tree and shrub species both overseas and in Australia with a particular focus on species for challenging sites.

  • Nick Milham

    Group Director Forestry Policy, Research & Development, Department of Primary Industries

    Nick has been with DPI for over 30 years and has been leading the forestry group for the past seven years. His team includes the Plantation Regulation Unit, which is responsible for the delivery of implementation and compliance of the Plantations and Reafforestation Act and Code. Nick will share his knowledge of the legislative requirements and standards for plantations in NSW including farm forestry and plantings for biodiversity, carbon, biomass and timber.

  • Sara Castillo

    Director of the Capacity Building at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

    Sara Castillo is an experienced professional whose career spans across the private, public and non-profit sector, working towards sustainability outcomes. Her key skills are working with stakeholders and fostering collaboration. She is currently Assistant Director of the Capacity Building team in the Biodiversity Markets Branch of Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

  • Catherine Riordan

    Director of the Engagement and Analysis at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

    Catherine Riordan is a lawyer and political scientist who has worked with Commonwealth, State and local governments to create good policy outcomes for the public. She is currently Director of the Engagement and Analysis team in the Biodiversity Markets Branch of Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

  • Heath Molden

    Manager of the Central West Forestry Hub

    Heath Molden is the manager of the Central West NSW Forestry Hub. With a background in accounting and consulting he has overseen the delivery of resources that support the forestry industry in Central West NSW.