Female foresters grow as Australia’s gender gap narrowsFriday 13 Mar 2026
That is according to Jacquie Martin, Forestry Australia’s CEO, who revealed that women are now playing an increasing role in the future management of Australia’s forests and the science that underpins it. Those figures reflect something Forestry Australia has worked hard to build: a profession that is becoming more attractive, more inclusive and more reflective of the communities it serves. “We are seeing real change in the pipeline. More women are joining the profession, moving into leadership, and shaping the future of how we manage and value our forests. That matters not just for equity. It matters for the quality of decisions being made and the long-term sustainability of the sector.” “Whilst we celebrate these achievements, we also acknowledge there is still more work to be done to create an environment where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive, and that includes women, people from non-English speaking backgrounds and First Nations People.” Balancing the scales That’s why Forestry Australia is fully behind this year’s theme, Balance the Scales, which calls for concrete action to dismantle the structural barriers that hold women back from equal opportunity, representation and leadership across every profession. “For forestry, that means continuing to invest in mentoring and leadership pathways and building organisations where individuals at every career stage feel genuinely welcome. And that means taking deliberate action, empowering supporting allies and creating cultures where diversity and broader perspectives can thrive.” Martin will chair a panel discussion at the University of Sunshine Coast Forest Research Institute on Monday, joined by Dr Lyndall Bull, Charlotte Raven, Dr Leanda Garvie and Kelly Stewart. According to Professor Mark Brown, UniSC Forest Research Institute Director, the day is an ideal opportunity to recognise the full contribution of women to advancing forest science. “International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the remarkable contributions women are making across every part of forestry research and practice. When we bring diverse voices, experiences and perspectives to the table, we strengthen not only our research institutions but also the forests and communities we serve,” Professor Brown said. More >> Source & image credit: Forestry Australia | ||
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