Botany graduate and young forestry professional Aidan Braid has been awarded for his commitment to sustainability and community outreach.
Working with a large network of people and facing new challenges and opportunities each day are highlights of forestry adviser Aidan Braid’s career.
Aidan, an Otago Botany and Ecology graduate (BSc, 2020) and a Regional Forest Advisor with Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, has recently been awarded the New Zealand Institute of Forestry’s Prince of Wales Sustainability Cup.
The award, first presented in 2017, recognises an outstanding young forestry professional who demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability in policy, planning and practice, together with public outreach, knowledge exchange and responsible land stewardship.
“It was an incredible honour to receive the award”, says Aidan, who has “always loved trees”. He started out as an arborist, then spent time as a conservation trapper catching stoats and possums.
“Being recognised for my dedication to sustainable forestry in a sector full of so many knowledgeable, passionate, and hardworking people makes this award especially meaningful.
“I think the future is made of timber, and we will become more reliant on our native and exotic forests.”
Aidan works across a broad range of forestry and environmental areas, including native and exotic forests, biodiversity, pest management and the Emissions Trading Scheme.
He also contributes to collaborative environmental initiatives and volunteers extensively in the community, in conservation, predator control, biodiversity protection and forest restoration.
Aidan’s vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to be the most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.
“I feel fortunate to be in a role where I can help create positive change for people and the environment.
“What I enjoy most about my role as a Regional Forest Adviser is that I get to work with a large network of people, and every day is different and brings new challenges and opportunities.”
Aidan was also a BLAKE Ambassador and Expedition Delegate, and the recipient of the Holloway Memorial Prize in Botany during his time at Otago.
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