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Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Meet Shaun Foster
Job:
Establishment Manager at Southwood Export.
Job description:
I manage the forest estate primarily in regards to land preparation, silviculture, forest health, forest mensuration and maintain our GIS and stand record system.
Work background:
I work for Southwood Export, they are a forest manager and processor of mainly Eucalyptus nitens forest for pulp wood production which is used to make high quality paper products. We manage a production forest estate in Otago & Southland of 12,400 ha made up of 42 individual forests.
Favourite part of job:
The diversity of work and the opportunity to work both indoors and outdoors.
Least favourite part of job:
Some of the compliance/paperwork required.
What I am working on now:
We are currently in the middle of our annual forest certification audit for both FSC and PEFC certification which ensures compliance with environmental, social and economic aspects of forestry. We are also preparing to start our replanting program in July with over 600 ha ready to be replanted with either Eucalyptus nitens or Radiata Pine by local siliviculture contractors.
A quick story about a job well done:
Having worked for the company for 12 years it has been quite enjoyable seeing the second rotation of trees I have helped establish continue to grow well. The data we have collected to date shows growth rates exceeding the first rotation in most cases.
Qualifications:
Bachelor in Forest Science – Canterbury University.
Interests outside work:
Trailbike riding, fishing and hunting, squash.
Shaun Foster is the Establishment Manager at Southwood Export. Image: Southwood.