ForestSAT 2024, proudly hosted here in Rotorua and brought to us through an amazing effort by Scion. Forest Growers Research (FGR) and the Precision Silviculture Programme were proud to sponsor this global forestry conference.

Reflecting the keynote by Dr. Crystal Schaaf.

We took a trip down memory lane with Terra (EOS AM-1), a multi-national scientific research satellite operated by NASA in a Sun-synchronous orbit around the Earth. Launched in 1999, Terra is the flagship of the Earth Observing System (EOS) and the first of its kind, followed by Aqua in 2002 and Aura in 2004. Terra takes simultaneous measurements of Earth’s atmosphere, land, and water to understand how Earth is changing and to identify the consequences for us in our lives on Earth.

Loved hearing the reality of the Terra launch from someone who was there! Not without challenges—a new launchpad, fresh software, Y2K fears, and even a hang glider flying into the launch area just before liftoff! Despite the hurdles, Terra made it to space, established contact, and began its mission with an expected design life of just 6 years.

Memorable Moments ☕️

– Susana Gonzalez Aracil from Interpine Innovation showcasing TreeTools, a desk-based and real-time field tool for foresters to guide thinning assessments. The BETA system, available at treetools.interpine.nz, uses LiDAR and RGB imagery for pre- and post-thinning maps, including tree location, stocking, and crown area. Supported by the Precision Silviculture Programme.

–Robin Hartley from Scion presenting his Master’s research on branch characterisation using laser scanning, he has a knack for making complex topics accessible, which as a simple person I greatly appreciate!

– Hearing Brian Strahm from Virginia Tech who is exploring influences on the nitrogen cycle in forestry, highlighting enrichment factors that offer new insights into ecosystem response. Thanks also for the shout-out to our stand!