Rotorua, New Zealand, is poised to become the focal point for a significant convergence of expertise and technology in the field of forestry. From September 9 to 13, 2024, the city will host ForestSAT 2024, an international conference dedicated to the application of remote sensing technologies for forest monitoring and modeling. This prestigious event, hosted by the Crown Research Institute Scion, marks the first time it will be held in Australasia and is expected to attract over 300 remote sensing specialists from nearly 30 countries, including experts from NASA.
ForestSAT 2024 aims to address the pressing challenges of forest monitoring by leveraging advanced remote sensing and geospatial technologies. This conference represents a unique platform for New Zealand-based users of remote sensing tools and technology to engage with world-leading agencies and experts. Dr. Henri Bailleres, Scion’s General Manager for Forests to Timber Products, emphasizes the significance of the event. “The diverse representation underscores the conference’s global appeal and its role as a critical platform for addressing international forest monitoring challenges,” he said. The presence of NASA experts, in particular, offers a rare opportunity for local practitioners to connect with leaders in the field.
A key theme of the conference is precision forestry, which utilizes advanced technologies to enhance forest management and efficiency. This approach is revolutionizing the forestry sector by enabling forest owners and managers to realize new value across the supply chain. In New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries anticipates that the value of forest product exports will reach $6.59 billion in 2024, underscoring the economic significance of the sector. The government’s vision to grow the forestry sector and position New Zealand as a world-leading producer and exporter of high-value wood products is closely tied to advancements in research, innovation, and smart technologies. Investment in forest technology is already driving significant progress, enabling the workforce to create higher-value products more efficiently.
ForestSAT 2024 will feature a comprehensive program with 37 different sessions covering a wide range of topics, including precision forestry, terrestrial laser scanning, forest health, and specialized research areas such as forestry big data, deep learning, virtual reality in forestry, and forest spectroscopy. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with leading scientists and renowned experts from prestigious institutions like the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, and the United States and Canadian Forest Services. These experts, many of whom have impressive publication records and significant contributions to the field, will share their knowledge and insights with attendees.
Dr. Michael Watt, Scion principal scientist and chair of ForestSAT 2024, highlights the value of the conference for forestry professionals. “With more than 230 science presentations and 60 posters, there will be something for everyone. The workshops will be packed with value, including real-world geospatial solutions that will help tackle challenges in the field,” he said. One of the key workshops will be led by Eagle Technology, focusing on integrating new and advanced tools into everyday forestry operations. Additionally, participants will gain hands-on experience with Google Earth Engine (GEE), a leading cloud-based geospatial data platform. This workshop will cover both introductory and advanced uses of the platform, including the analysis of extensive GEE datasets and the development of Earth Engine Apps that integrate with Python notebooks and packages.
The significance of ForestSAT 2024 extends beyond the conference itself. It represents a critical platform for addressing international forest monitoring challenges using advanced remote sensing and geospatial technologies. The presence of experts from NASA and other leading institutions provides a unique opportunity for New Zealand-based users of remote sensing tools and technology to engage with world-leading agencies. The economic importance of the forestry sector in New Zealand is substantial, with the Ministry for Primary Industries projecting forest product exports to reach $6.59 billion in 2024. The government’s vision to grow the sector and position New Zealand as a world-leading producer and exporter of high-value wood products is closely tied to advancements in research, innovation, and smart technologies.
Investment in forest technology is already driving significant progress in the sector. Precision silviculture, for example, is providing foresters with more information for decision-making than ever before, enabling the workforce to create higher-value products more efficiently. The tools and techniques showcased at ForestSAT 2024 will highlight the transformative potential of geospatial technology in forestry, offering practical applications that can be integrated into everyday operations to enhance management and efficiency. Rotorua’s hosting of ForestSAT 2024 underscores the city’s status as a hub of innovation in forestry science. Dr. Juan Suarez, founder of ForestSAT and former conference chair, describes Rotorua as one of the most important innovation hubs in forestry science worldwide. “Hosting the conference will enable Rotorua to cement its global reputation in this area, connect academia with a forestry industry actively embracing new tools and technologies, and attract new practitioners that can lead the transition to 21st-century forestry,” he said.
ForestSAT 2024 promises to be an unmissable event for anyone involved in the forestry sector. To register and learn more about the program, workshops, and speakers, visit the ForestSAT website.
