52 | FORESTRY M&R Forestland Management Environmental focus a pillar for firm Richard Loader For Blenheim based forest management company M&R Forestland Management Ltd, sustainable forestry is more than ensuring the continuity of forest estates. There is a symbiotic relationship between sustainability, the environment and biodiversity that comes down to the perpetual and valued social licence to operate and that is something the team at M&R Forestland Management take very seriously. “We have a freshwater ecologist on our team who manages all our streams, creeks and waterways,” says Managing Director Kyle Heagney. “She ensures we’re doing a good job at managing all our operations and not increasing sediment loads in streams and adversely affecting the freshwater environment. We also do a lot of wilding control in native areas to increase biodiversity. “We do a whole lot of pest control as well. Browsing damage by feral pests is quite significant in native areas, so we keep on top To contact us, Phone 544 8360 or Email brodie@sdtrans.co.nz Stuart Drummond Transport providing log cartage services to the Nelson Marlborough and West Coast regions since 1985. NATIVES • ORNAMENTALS • FORESTRY GROWING NZ SINCE 1968 www.appletons.co.nz “‘We need to ensure we learn from the past and if that means making changes then we need to do that. So, a focus on our environment is incredibly important for the future of the industry.” of all our feral pests in forests and that greatly increases the biodiversity.” Kyle says that in the past many first rotation forests were planted up to and virtually into creeks, making it difficult to environmentally manage the logging contractors’ work around waterways. “Now we always have a riparian set-back of 10 -20 metres which allows natives to regenerate. When we come to harvest our trees in the second rotation the waterways already have a natural buffer. So that has been a big change in our industry. “Some of the practices over the last 30-40 years haven’t been great and part of that is education. If we can get better at what we do environmentally, then not only does the biodiversity benefit but we will maintain that social licence to operate. ‘We need to ensure we learn from the past and if that means making changes then we need to do that. “So, a focus on our environment is incredibly important for the future of the industry.” Through its Blenheim office, M&R Forestland Management manages approximately 20,000 hectares of forestry in the Marlborough region, ranging from private woodlots of 20-30 hectares in ‘mum & dad’ ownership, right up to investment syndicates that own up 10,000 hectares, and everything in between. About 3000 hectares are also managed in the Nelson area, all part of the same estate. A small North Island satellite office in Wairoa manages a 7000-hectare block in single ownership between Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. In the last couple of years the company has experienced significant growth with a couple of clients expanding their estates quite considerably. “We’re always looking to grow. “We would like organic growth — if our clients are enjoying success and we’re making them good returns, we hope they may expand their portfolios with us. “ But we’re always on the lookout to pick up new clients and provide them with our management services.” Employing a team of 12 forestry professionals, predominantly tertiary qualified with forestry degrees, and utilising a loyal contractor workforce, M&R Forestland Management provides total end-to-end services from forest establishment, silviculture, harvesting and marketing into the export and domestic markets.
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