Forestry is not just about felling trees, but about how we protect, sustainably manage and restore forests. In the most recent episode of Branching Out: the Forest Podcast, hosts Jose Bolaños (IUFRO HQ) and Dante Bertocci (International Forestry Students' Association, IFSA) talk to one of the Co-Coordinators of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations' (IUFRO) Division 3 - Forest Operations, Engineering, and Management.

René Zamora-Cristales (Oregon State University and World Resources Institute), Co-Coordinator of Division 3, explains that this Division focuses on how forestry activities are carried out - from seed collection and forest restoration to logging and resource management. He emphasizes that forest operations go far beyond timber harvesting, playing a key role in biodiversity conservation and forest landscape restoration.

He also highlights that meeting global restoration targets, such as 350 million ha of forest landscapes by 2030 goal set by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, requires careful planning. Without proper operations and engineering, even well-intentioned restoration efforts can fall short.

Artificial intelligence-powered satellite imagery and drone technology are helping scientists map forests, analyse tree health, and optimize resource use. However, René emphasizes that AI remains a decision-support tool - human expertise and local knowledge remain vital for responsible forest management. 

As we navigate global challenges, Division 3's work reminds us that the 'how' of forestry is just as important as the 'why'.

Listen the Branching out: the forest podcast wherever you enjoy your podcasts, on Spotify and Apple Podcasts or on our website, and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review! And keep an eye out for our next episode, where we explore Division 4 - Forest Assessment, Modelling and Management!