As previously reported, ForestTECH 2020 is being run this year. At this stage, because of COVID-19 restrictions limiting travel, it’s being run as a physical conference along with exhibitions in Rotorua, New Zealand on 18-19 November.
Those unable to travel or get into New Zealand also have the opportunity of being involved as for the first time this year, it’s going to be streamed live to a wide range of Australian and international delegates.
In addition to the changed format for delivery, for the first time, the well-established two-day event is broken into two themes, the first being advances being made in remote sensing, data capture and forest inventory which has been the focus since the annual technology event’s inception back in 2007.
The second theme will be focussing on mechanised planting and automated silviculture. European technologies are already well advanced and are being trialled on flatter terrain by some of the larger forestry companies in New Zealand and Australia. Full details of the programme for both days can be viewed here.
As an extra to those who will be attending the Rotorua event in person, three workshops or meetings have been set to capitalise on those travelling into Rotorua.
1. The first is a two hour focussed workshop being run by Eagle Technology at the conference venue on the morning of Tuesday 17 November. It will provide an updated overview of the ArcGIS platform (10.8.1) and a focus on GIS insights and location intelligence powered by drone flight data with ArcGIS.
2. The second is a half-day Remote Sensing Cluster Group meeting that’s being run on the afternoon of Tuesday 17 November. The meeting will combine recent research focussing on tree detection and forest health with a presentation around developing a sector-wide strategy to bring the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) to small and large forest growers. The second part of the meeting will present a series of talks that launch a new working group focussed on tech transfer of UAV related research to industry. This “Tools For Foresters” Working Group, will comprise a cluster of foresters and researchers who will be able to beta-test research tools and methods, accelerating the research and tech transfer process. Further information can be obtained by emailing: michael.watt@scionresearch.com. Please also find attached an outline of the planned programme.
3. A half-day demo and workshop on the Hovermap LiDAR simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) technology which is being used for collecting very detailed stem data under canopy, is also being run by Interpine and Emesent following the conference and exhibitions on the morning of Friday 20 November. Numbers may need to be limited for this practical workshop. Further details will be supplied shortly.
Information on the three workshops running in and around the ForestTECH 2020 event in Rotorua can be read here
Full details on the planned two-day ForestTECH 2020 event can also be seen here.
Photo: Interpine
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