Port Blakely recently had the opportunity to visit Fairlie Primary School in Canterbury, as part of the Wood is Good education initiative.
Wood is Good connects forestry professionals and transport operators with primary school students to showcase the importance of plantation forestry, stewardship, wood products, and the career opportunities available within the sector. A key focus of the program is also helping students understand how to stay safe around log trucks and other heavy vehicles on local roads.
Foresters Cass and Ash from the Port Blakely team were joined by Dean Adams from Phillip Wareing Transport, who brought along a truckload of Douglas fir logs to provide students with a hands-on look at the forestry industry in action.
The visit featured plenty of highlights, including students dressing up in forestry safety gear and having their "tree diameters" measured by Cass and Ash. Students were also fascinated by a demonstration of how drones are used in modern forestry operations, providing a look into the technology that enables sustainable forest management. And, unsurprisingly, the log truck was a crowd favorite, giving students an up-close look at an important part of New Zealand's forestry supply chain.
Port Blakely is proud to support programs that help young people better understand sustainable forestry, the journey from forest to wood products, and the important role the industry plays in communities across New Zealand.
Thank you to the staff and students at Fairlie Primary School for the warm welcome and enthusiasm throughout the day.