Senior Fellow, Rick Zenn Keynotes National Conference in Australia, Meets with Alums, and is Guest Instructor at National Arboretum

Senior Fellow, Rick Zenn Keynotes National Conference in Australia, Meets with Alums, and is Guest Instructor at National Arboretum

Zenn addressing the national STEM Conference

A round trip across the international dateline and back that included thirty-eight hours in the air allowed for Senior Fellow, Rick Zenn time to catch up on reading, movies, and brush up on his eucalypts.

Zenn was invited by Forest Learning Australia and the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA) to address the national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) conference in the city of Canberra, sponsored by the Australian government and PIEFA. Zenn promoted the Oregon Forest Literacy Plan and urged participants to “see forests in three dimensions” when looking at career opportunities for students in the forest sector.

Rick in the Snowy River National Park,
 located in the alpine and East
Gippsland regions of Victoria, Australia.

“PIEFA is doing important work and Ben Stockwin and his board are taking a leadership role. Lots of good things are happening in Australia in food and fibre education.” Zenn said.

Zenn was also a guest instructor at the National Arboretum Canberra at a two-day workshop led by the director of Forest Learning Australia, Beth Welden. Several leadership exercises from the World Forestry Center International Educators Institute (IEI) program were combined with lively hands-on learning activities from the Forest Education Foundation team from Tasmania.

Forty professionals from business, government, associations, higher education, and local schools participated. World Forestry Center program alums Phil Lacy of PF Olsen Australia, Liz Langford of VicForests, and Darcy Vickers of the Forest Education Foundation in Tasmania, also served as instructors. The Fenner School of Forestry at the Australian National University hosted an evening lecture and BBQ dinner on campus.

(Left to right) WFI alumus, Tony Scherl, Dr. Cris Brack, and Rick Zenn at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia 

“The beautiful hilltop location above the city,” Zenn said, “was the perfect setting for the workshop. We were surrounded by smart, passionate people who are working hard to protect Australia’s forests and all want to share their knowledge and experience. Beth organized a super event to help everyone improve their skills, share resources, and think more creatively when helping students, stakeholders, and the public understand and value sustainable forestry.”

Liz and Peter Langford arranged for Zenn to join them on a three-day field study tour to visit the mountain and coastal forests of Victoria and East Gippsland. He also met with our alums working in Melbourne and Canberra. “It was wonderful to see everyone again and catch up on news about their families and careers” Zenn said. “There is a strong connection in Australia to the World Forestry Center and the World Forest Institute.”

(Left to right) WFI and IEI alumni, friends, and family in Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia:
 Mick Hodder, Danielle and Blair Freeman, Krystina Kny with baby Erik, Lee Meizies,
Phil and Janice Lacy, Kathy Overton, Rick Zenn, and Liz Langford.