Marlborough Regional Durable Eucalypt Forestry and Biomass case study

One-day workshop

Friday 16 February 2024

Save the date

Marlborough-based NZ Dryland Forests Innovation (NZDFI) is conducting a regional case study to evaluate how new investment in planting naturally durable hardwood forests could contribute to sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Marlborough’s wine industry.

Above: Biomass sampling, Marlborough Regional Forest’s Pukaka Forest near Blenheim.

NZDFI is assessing the potential for fast-growing, dense exotic hardwoods to sustainably supply naturally durable posts, timber, and biomass for bioenergy for Marlborough’s wine industry. Research includes modelling the total volume of biomass that durable eucalypt forests grown locally could produce. This is done through whole tree destructive sampling in combination with deploying LiDAR to develop an accurate volumetric assessment of total tree biomass.

NZDFI is surveying potential applications for durable eucalypt biomass to supply bioenergy that will maximise the economic and environmental value of new forests.

The case study will provide a market and science-based pathway for developing this new forestry system. Developing a regional plan for a new forestry and wood supply chain could improve long-term sustainability and resilience for Marlborough’s wine industry and generate new investment and employment.

NZDFI will share the outcomes from this project with those interested in working towards making this happen. 

One-day workshop, Marlborough Research Centre, February 16, 2024

NZDFI and MRC invite those interested from Marlborough’s primary production and other relevant sectors to join this workshop, where you will hear the findings from the case study. Key research providers are the University of Canterbury School of Forestry, with input from the NZ Bioenergy Association.

There will be indoor presentations in the morning, followed by visits to nearby field demonstrations in the afternoon.

More details to follow, please save the date!

 Feel free to contact Paul Millen for further information about the case study and workshop.

The Marlborough Research Centre Trust is a NZDFI partner supporting this initiative.