At the Healthy Forests Foundation, we believe that real understanding begins on the ground.
Over the past few months, our team has visited public and private forest sites across Tasmania and Western Australia to learn more about ecological thinning practices in action. From the Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) forests of Tasmania to the jarrah/marri (E. marginata and Corymbia calophylla) woodlands of southwestern WA, these visits have been an invaluable opportunity to deepen our understanding of how forest managers are working to restore structure, health, and resilience in landscapes shaped by disturbance.
Thinning isn’t right in all situations – such as rainforest ecosystems or sparsely spaced forests. But in some areas where post-colonial pressures have led to significant overcrowding, carefully applied thinning can help nudge a forest closer to its pre-1750 structure. That in turn can create the conditions needed to safely and effectively reintroduce cultural burning and other traditional practices.
We’ve linked to one of our recent factsheets below for those interested in the science behind ecological thinning. But this webpage isn’t about theory – it’s about practice. And the value of being there.
As a charity, we’re mindful of our footprint. These visits are usually paired with other travel and often support our early-stage project planning. They’re about listening, learning and asking the right questions of those who’ve been managing these places for decades. They help ensure that any projects we develop are grounded in reality – not just policy or satellite data.
These trips remind us that good restoration work depends on good relationships. Between people and place. Between science and practice. And between those who manage land today and those who have done so for generations.
Read our ecological thinning factsheet
Let’s keep learning—together.
Case studies