Forest Research Centre projects underway

Alcoa’s Forest Research Centre, launched in 2024, has appointed a highly experienced technical advisory committee, and funded 20 internal research projects this year. Another 20 projects are either underway or in the final planning stages with collaborative researchers.

Internal projects currently in progress focus on three of the centre’s core pillars including fauna, flora and rehabilitation. Research leads for the remaining two pillars – water stewardship and First Nations two-way science – are currently being appointed, with several proposed projects already being assessed across these pillars.

The technical advisory committee, composed of external academics and researchers as well as Alcoa subject matter experts, has been established to provide peer review, scientific feedback, and advice on Forest Research Centre projects. The seven-person committee includes:

• Dr. Tom Hatton: Former Environmental Protection Authority Chair 
• Dr. Guy Boggs: CEO of the CRC for Transformations in Mine Economies 
• Dr. Dave Coates: Australian Network for Plant Conservation committee member
• Dr. Andrew Grigg: Alcoa’s former Global Biodiversity Director 
• Jen Longstaff: Australian Director of Environment at Alcoa
• Dr. Talitha Santini: Refinery of the Future Program Management Lead at Alcoa 
• Stephen White: Director of the Biodiversity Centre of Excellence at Alcoa

Organisations already collaborating or proposing to collaborate on projects include: 

• Curtin University 
• Murdoch University 
• The University of Western Australia
• Flinders University 
• University of Tartu, Estonia 
• University of Camerino, Italy 
• CRC TiME
• CSIRO 
• Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
• Wildlife Conservation Society
• Natural Resources Analysis 
• Iluka Resources Ltd

Alcoa Research Manager Dr. Lucy Commander emphasised that building greater understanding of the Northern Jarrah Forest had been a focus for Alcoa over the past 50 years, however the Forest Research Centre provided a formalised means to enhance focus and attract collaborative research funding.

“While many of the research projects provide a lot of valuable data on their own, that value increases as we collate data from multiple different projects and can cross reference it over time,” Dr Commander said.

“As an example, we have completed, ongoing and planned various fauna studies into feral predators like foxes, pigs and cats. Information gathered from these studies will help inform and improve protection measures for native species that use the same habitats.”

Alcoa launched the Forest Research Centre in 2024 with an initial commitment of $15 million towards research over the next five years.