A day for global recognition of sustainably managed forests World Forestry Day on 21 March 2009 is an opportunity to celebrate Australia’s forests and the benefits this world-class renewable resource provides for all Australians.
“World Forestry Day is an opportunity to highlight the outstanding economic, social and
environmental benefits of the industry and its links to many aspects of our society. Australia’s production forests are managed to world’s best practice standards of environmental sustainability, while directly employing more than 78,000 people with an annual economic turnover of over $19 billion,” said Allan Hansard CEO of the National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI). 
“With appropriate government support the forest industry will continue to grow and over the next decade will deliver an additional 16,000 jobs and $19 billion in new investment, largely in rural and regional Australia. This is significant growth, particularly at a time when many industries are downsizing.
“Given climate change issues, the importance of forestry is now more important than ever. In addition to the direct economic benefits Australia’s sustainable forest industry can provide are significant environmental benefits, including the capacity to sequester around 81 million tonnes of carbon each year.
That’s around 25% of Australia’s total carbon reduction target.
“Forestry is recognised as Australia’s only carbon positive industry; the forests we sustainably manage are carbon sinks, the products we produce are renewable and continue to store carbon, and the fuels and energy produced from wood waste can reduce Australia’s reliance on fossil fuels.
“The concept of having a World Forestry Day originated at the General Assembly of the European Confederation of Agriculture in 1971 and was soon adopted by the United Nations. World Forestry day coincides with the autumn equinox in the Southern Hemisphere and the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere to celebrate the many facets of forestry such as production, recreation and environmental quality.
“On World Forestry Day, let’s all take the opportunity to celebrate Australia’s sustainable and renewable forest industry which is delivering real triple bottom line – economic, social, environmental – benefits for all Australians,” Mr Hansard said.