Gary Clarke – New Staff member comes on board

Private Forestry Southern Queensland (PFSQ), based in Mary Street Gympie, has recognised that the services provided by the Noosa and District Landcare Group’s Farm Forestry Program must continue to be offered to landholders and the community.

Gary Clarke will be joining the PFSQ team as their Operational Manager, with responsibilities covering delivery of services previously provided by The Farm Forestry Program as well as extended duties associated with the overall role of PFSQ as a Private Forestry Development Committee (PFDC).

Gary has 25 years professional experience in natural resource management including:

* Eight years as a Forest Officer in the Queensland Forestry Service

* Five years private consultancy and landscape management

* Three years Resource Manager in the timber processing industry

* Eight and a half years as the Farm Forestry Program Manager for Noosa and District Landcare’s Farm Forestry Program

Gary has a great passion and knowledge of forests and forest processes that he applies to all his dealings with landholders and their forests. He has his own plantation and native forest projects under active management and also has a keen passion for making furniture from Camphor Laurel and native species.

PFSQ will now be able to offer a wider range of educational consultation and on-ground implementation services including:

* Total property planning

* Plantation consultancy and design

* Revegetation establishment and regeneration

* All aspects of plantation maintenance

* Fire management plans

* Weed management

* Forest infrastructure

* Plantation inventory

* Seedling supply

* Erosion mitigation

All consultancy and implementation will be delivered in a whole of landscape style, allowing for integration of existing farm practices and lifestyle objectives and maximum economic and environmental benefits. Gary has implemented many projects in partnership with PFSQ over the past eight years and has developed good working relationships with current staff.

To kick off the 2009 farm forestry season we will be holding a farm forestry field day at Uri Muri Plantations on Louis Bazzo Road at Cootharaba on the 18th April 2009. A flyer with workshop details will be sent around in the coming month. Gary Clarke will be starting work with PFSQ on the 2nd March 2009, although he will be contactable prior to March on 0413 967 833.