FIELD DAY
SUPREME AWARD BUSINESS INNOVATION AWARD NZ DRYLAND FORESTS INITIATIVE ADDRESS/ TIME 2.00pm – 5.00pm ‐ Field trip to a eucalypt tree breeding trial site on John and Robyn Cuddons property at Marlborough Ridge and visit the Marlborough Lines workshop at Taylor Pass Road to hear about hardwood timber use in the electricity industry 5.00 – 6.00pm – Light meal 6.00 – 8.30pm – Seminar Marlborough Research Centre, 85 Budge Street Blenheim Hear about NZDFI’s innovative hard wood research that is focused on heartwood development and natural durability. DATE Tuesday 12 May Attend one or both sessions, a complimentary light meal will be provided in between at the Marlborough Research Centre at 85 Budge Street. Field trip ‐ meet at the Cuddon property ‐ Marlborough Ridge Road at Fairhall, turn right into Cuddons and drive past the wetland to the parking area (follow the signs). FIELD DAY - NEW ZEALAND
DRYLANDS FORESTS
INITIATIVE
ND DRYLANDS FORESTS
INITIATIVE The New Zealand Dryland Forests Initiative (NZDFI) is a commercially‐oriented research and development project. The management team is a collaboration including Paul Millen of Vineyard Timbers, Proseed, the Marlborough Research Centre and the Canterbury University School of Forestry. It aims to develop genetically improved planting stock and management systems for ground‐durable eucalypt species suited to New Zealand’s dryland regions. This includes highly innovative research into heartwood development and timber durability. Founded in 2008, the 20‐year Initiative has had over $2.5 million of backing from national and regional government, research organisations and businesses and is currently growing 120,000 select eucalypts in 38 trial plots along the dryland east coast from Gisborne to Canterbury. POSITIVE FEATURES INCLUDE:

Offers potentially significant environmental and economic benefits to Marlborough and New Zealand 
A strong science and business case focusing on five promising eucalypt species is attracting public and private investment 
Offers an alternative to chemically treated wood products and tropical hardwood from clear‐
felled rainforests 
Provides a fast growing productive crop and protective use of drought‐prone land. 
Reduced risk of erosion on steep land as trees will coppice ie. regrow from the roots 
Potential environmental benefits from lower transport costs and carbon emissions with the ability to grow and process hardwood near site of use 
Systematically follows a 20‐year strategic plan, starting with research into seed selection and ending with marketing 
Is developing the XyloGene brand guaranteeing quality from seeds to milled timber 
Has developed a solid base of support from landowners, forestry companies and Regional Councils in a number of regions, including delivering workshops and field days to inform growers and interested parties 
Eucalypt pollen and nectar production provide potential co‐benefits around biodiversity and the bee keeping industry and preliminary research is underway. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS CONTACT:
Nicky Eade at Marlborough District Council Phone 5207400
[email protected]
www.marlborough.govt.nz