When planning a harvest, we search databases to identify potential environmental risks.
These searches include:
- records of threatened species
- regional ecosystems in or near the proposed harvest area
- environmentally protected matters under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
We assess the likelihood of these matters being present and the potential risk of impact from native timber harvesting if they are.
These assessments help guide harvest planning and management.
They help us:
- inform decisions made about areas not available for harvesting
- identify values that require specific prescriptions in the operational harvesting plan
- may result in a field survey to confirm the presence of environmental values and how best to protect them.
How we protect habitats
Watch this video to discover how we protect habitats in Queensland native forests during selective harvesting.
Show transcript
[How are habitats protected in Queensland native forests during selective harvesting?]
[Nathan, Senior Ecology Officer]
Protecting animal and plant habitats is a priority consideration when planning for a harvest.
Before harvesting begins, trained staff identify any habitat trees and plants, including those that might be used by animals, for food or shelter.
We look for signs such as tree hollows, nests, scratchings and scats.
These trees are left untouched and protected from damage and fire, ensuring that suitable habitats for important species such as koalas and gliders are maintained.
Reducing carbon footprint with native timber
Find out about the environmental benefits of native forests and timber production through long-term carbon storage in timber products.
Show transcript
[How does Queensland native forestry and timber support the environment?]
[Barry, Executive Director, Forestry]
Native forests are critical to our environment.
Trees extract carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their trunks, roots, branches and bark in a process called sequestration.
Timber products continue to store carbon throughout their useful life, which can be more than 100 years.
This contributes to the carbon cycle.
Timber production is also much less carbon-intensive than concrete or steel production.
This helps to reduce Queensland's overall carbon footprint.
Contact us
Email ForestryEngagement@dpi.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 17 Feb 2026