VFA WEBINAR Tuesday 8 April 2025

In this talk, Karl Just will present the results of his work analysing the effectiveness of planned burning on reducing fuel loads and bushfire risk. Although it is well known that planned burning can cause significant environmental impacts, there has been less scrutiny of the effectiveness of planned burns at actually achieving the aim of reducing fuel loads. Karl will present mapping that shows planned burning often leads to an increase of fuel loads in the post-fire period. This work challenges the high cost and environmental impact of implementing burns that are exacerbating the issue they are supposed to be mitigating.

Karl Just is a botanist and zoologist who has over 20 years experience in the ecological industry. He runs his own consultancy, specialising in flora and fauna surveys, and is actively involved in environmental advocacy and ecological restoration projects across Victoria. Karl has consulted for a number of forest groups, including BEAM Mitchell Environment Group, Kinglake Friends of the Forest, and Friends of Turton Forest. He is also on the committee of Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests.