The Forestry Corporation of NSW has expressed its delight at former staff member Alf Britton being acknowledged on the Australia Day Honours list earlier this week.
The popular employee, who worked in the state forests of the Hunter and Central Coast, was awarded the Medal in the General Division (OAM) on Tuesday 26 January.
Acting CEO Anshul Chaudhary extended his congratulations to Mr Britton on behalf of the organisation.
“We are incredibly proud of Alf’s achievements,” he said.
“It’s certainly a well-deserved honour.
“Alf Britton had a long career with Forestry Corporation as a surveyor, forest foreman and ecologist.”
“As foreman he supervised and helped manage plantation establishment and sustainable harvesting operations in the Watagan Mountains, hazard reduction, fires, plantation thinning and road and bridge construction projects.
“His passion was always forest ecology, which is where he spent the final part of his career.
“Alf has the distinguished honour of having discovered Australia’s largest known roost of Eastern Horseshoe Bats.
“He discovered it in 1996 during field surveys of Ourimbah State Forest.
“This discovery and subsequent work to protect and monitor this colony not only ensured the population continues to thrive today, but also made a significant contribution to scientific knowledge and management of this species.”
Mr Chaudhary said the latest OAM recipient also played a pivotal role in establishing the Friends of Strickland.
“The group of committed volunteers has improved conservation in Strickland State Forest,” he added.
“It’s served as a model for community partnership, too, that has been replicated in state forests elsewhere, delivering great benefits to the forest environment.
“On behalf of the Forestry Corporation, I would like to thank Alf for his contribution to the industry over many years.”
For further information about Forestry Corporation of NSW, visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au
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