Tree change for a career in forestry

Born in Violet Town, two hours north of Melbourne, she is now an operations and protections forester for Forests NSW. As part of her role she has about 90,000ha of timbered land to take care of, so it’s not your average office space.

“Sometimes it’s a little bit hard to get your head around what needs doing and what’s a priority,” Lancaster says.

Based at the NSW Forests office in Tumut, on the southwest slopes of NSW, Lancaster has been in the role for just over 12 months.

It’s her first job since graduating and her tasks include weed and pest-animal management, fire safety and plant fertilisation.

Her childhood home helped develop her love of nature, and Lancaster says she always had a strong interest in working with natural resources.

At school, geography and an outdoor environment education class sparked her enthusiasm for forests.
It led her to complete a three-year bachelor of forest science degree at the University of Melbourne.

“A lot of people think that you just cut down trees, whereas the course itself looks at all aspects (of the industry),” she says.

This includes the management of native forests for conservation and sustainable timber production, wood quality, soil, harvesting and logistics.

“Most employment is probably in harvesting and the timber-production industry, but there is a lot more conservation-focused work that people don’t always associate with forestry,” Lancaster says.

As well as employment with state forestry agencies such as Forests NSW or with national parks, opportunities exist in the private sector with conservation groups or research organisations.

“It’s such a broad field,” Lancaster says of the industry.

Needless to say, getting experience on the ground is a challenge from a city-based office, so Lancaster knew she would have to move to a country town for her career. Not that she minds. “I like being in a small town. It’s a really good atmosphere.

“The lifestyle associated with a country town is much more relaxed and laid-back,” she says.

“The Tumut office is very good because it’s large and you can get experience in all the different aspects without having to move towns.”

Lancaster suggests work experience can be valuable. Her own postings certainly proved their worth.

“When I came into forestry my idea was to work in a more conservation-type role.

“But through my course I became more interested in working in the timber production industry. Now I love it.”