Choosing the Right Forest Manager for Your Private Native Forest

How to choose the right forest manager is one of the most common questions faced by landholders looking to engage professional support to help them manage their private native forest. Managing a private native forest in Australia requires a careful balance of controlled burning, sustainable timber harvesting, and compliance with environmental laws all underpinned by silvicultural best practices.

Whether your goal is to generate income from timber sales, increase agroforestry potential, reduce bushfire risk or enhance biodiversity, engaging the right forest manager is a crucial step. A skilled forest manager will ensure your land is maintained sustainably while maximising its long-term health and productivity. Here’s what to consider when choosing a forest manager and the key questions to ask as a landholder.

What to Look for in a Forest Manager

1. Experience & Qualifications

Not all forestry professionals have the same level of experience or expertise. When selecting a forest manager, check their background in forestry, ecology, or land management. Ideally, they should:

• Have experience working with private native forests in your region.
• Be accredited by a professional organisation such as Forestry Australia.
• Understand sustainable forestry practices and biodiversity conservation.

2. Local Knowledge

A forest manager should have deep knowledge of your specific region, including:

• The types of tree species and ecosystems in your area.
• Local climate patterns and how they affect forest growth.
• Soil types and their impact on tree health and productivity.
• Regional regulations, such as state-based Private Native Forestry (PNF) Codes of Practice.

3. Sustainability & Conservation Focus

Sustainability is key to maintaining a healthy and productive forest. A good manager will:

• Promote selective logging rather than clear-cutting. Often suggesting removal of trees that although do not have high timber value will greatly improve overall forest health. Many logging contractors simply do not do this and will be interested only in timber with high value return.
• Implement best practices for harvesting including maximising the timber harvested and minimising any wastage, soil conservation and erosion control.
• Support habitat protection and biodiversity conservation.
• Ensure your forest can regenerate naturally after harvesting.

4. Regulatory Compliance & Legal Knowledge

Forestry in Australia is subject to strict regulations. Your forest manager should not only be familiar with, but also able to guide you on relevant legislation found in:

• Private Native Forestry (PNF) codes and other state regulations.
• Fire management laws and requirements for controlled burns.
• Conservation laws, particularly regarding threatened species and native vegetation protection.
• The necessary permits and approvals required for timber harvesting and land use changes.

A knowledgeable manager should:

• Assess the quality and value of your timber via a desktop and in person forest assessment. A quality forest manager will invite you along and explain the assessment findings in-person enabling you to ask as many questions as you require.
• Have connections with reputable timber buyers and sawmills.
• Understand market demand and trends to maximise your returns.
• Provide accurate valuation of potential earnings from timber harvesting.

6. Fire & Pest Management Expertise

Given Australia’s fire-prone landscape, fire management is one of the most essential practices to undertake as a rural landowner. Your forest manager should:

• Help develop a fire mitigation strategy, including advising and connecting you with partners who support landholders with controlled burns.
• Monitor and advise on pest species that may threaten forest health as part of assessment and forest management operations.
• Advise on fuel load reduction to minimise bushfire risks.

7. Transparency & Communication

A good forest manager will be transparent about their process, expected outcomes, and challenges. They should:

• Provide a clear, written management plan outlining strategies and objectives.
• Offer regular updates on forest conditions and ongoing forest operation activities.
• Take time to understand your long-term vision and goals for your property.

Below are some helpful questions you may like to ask a potential forest manager.

At Sustainable Forest Management, we see no question as a silly question. We happily invite all forest management questions you may have, regardless of whether you are a client or potential client of ours.

We love to help educate landholders on silvicultural best practices, including the importance of controlled burning and selective harvesting. We accept questions before, during and up to many years after your last harvest. We strongly believe there is a better way to manage Australia’s private native forest and are committed to providing landholders with the knowledge and support needed to achieve sustainable, productive, and environmentally responsible outcomes. Our goal is to ensure that every forest is managed with care, balancing economic benefits with long-term ecological health.

Top 10 questions to ask a potential Forest Manager

1. How long have you been managing private native forests in this area?
2. How will you assess the health and potential of my forest?
3. What management plan would you recommend for my property, based on my goals?
4. How do you ensure compliance with environmental and forestry laws?
5. What relationships do you have with local sawmills and timber buyers?
6. What trees would you recommend harvesting from my property?
7. Can you explain the forest management process I can expect?
8. How do you ensure my forest remains healthy and productive in the long term?
9. Can you assist with controlled burns and bushfire risk mitigation?
10. How do you ensure you can provide an accurate timber valuation for my property?

Final tips for choosing a Forest Manager

• Look for transparency: Avoid managers who make unrealistic promises about the income.
• Ask for recommendations: Speak with an existing client on their harvesting experience.
• Think long-term: A well-managed forest should be profitable and sustainable for future generations.

In summary,

Hiring the right forest manager is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a landholder. By choosing someone with the right experience, local knowledge, and a commitment to sustainability, you can ensure your private native forest remains a valuable asset for years to come. Take your time, ask the right questions, and work with a professional who aligns with your vision for your land.

Truth be told, you are already in a great place. Sustainable Forest Management prides itself on its commitment to sustainability, transparency with landholders and compliance to silvicultural best practice. Simply get in touch today for a free assessment and appraisal of your private native forest. With several decades of experience in private forest management, we know a thing or two about the trees you’ll find on your property. We can help you identify your tree types, health, forestry potential and timber value. Sustainable Forest Management specialises in management of private native forests across Northern NSW.