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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has selected 60 Young Forest Champions for 2026 to lead action on forest conservation, restoration and sustainable use underpinned by innovative monitoring approaches across six countries. Source: Timberbiz The new cohort, all aged 18-30, were selected from more than 1,700 applications from Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, Uganda and Zambia, underscoring rising interest among young people in tackling forest and climate challenges. The forest champions represent a diverse group of students, young researchers, Indigenous leaders and community organizers. Many of those selected are already leading initiatives in areas such as mangrove restoration, agroforestry, biodiversity conservation and environmental education. “Young people are not only the future of forestry but are already leading change on the ground,” said Zhimin Wu, FAO Assistant Director-General and Director of the Forestry Division. “These 60 Young Forest Champions bring energy, innovation and local knowledge essential to protecting and sustainably managing forests and strengthening climate resilience.” Through the UK-FAO partnership on forest monitoring, AIM4Forests, this year’s Young Forest Champions will be equipped with the innovative technical approaches and solutions they need to scale up their impact. Participants will benefit from mentorship, technical training and peer learning focused on forest monitoring, remote sensing, geospatial technologies and digital data collection. By combining cutting-edge technology with local knowledge, the initiative supports more effective and inclusive forest management. It also aims to strengthen the role of young people, especially women, Indigenous Peoples and rural communities, in government decision-making processes that shape the management and future of forests. The Young Forest Champions initiative is linked to the Global Youth Network for Forest Monitoring, launched in October 2025 as a collaborative platform for young people passionate about forests, sustainability and climate action. The network promotes knowledge exchange, mentorship and peer learning among youth worldwide, creating opportunities to share experiences, innovative ideas and learning resources related to forest monitoring, restoration and conservation. Operating primarily through WhatsApp for active engagement and LinkedIn for professional networking, the network connects young leaders across regions and strengthens their collective role in protecting, restoring and monitoring forests for future generations.

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Waratah Forestry Equipment has introduced all-new, patented machined, no-shank saw teeth designed to maintain performance through dirt contact and rocky environments. Source: Timberbiz “Waratah’s no shank saw teeth are engineered to strike the right balance between cutting-edge performance and durability,” said Brent Fisher, product marketing manager for Waratah. “The patented machined tip helps reduce chipping from impacts and assists in supporting long-lasting cutting performance in tough, abrasive conditions. For operators who seek Waratah quality down to every part, the new saw teeth deliver.” Where other teeth may wear quickly or crack, Waratah’s are designed to perform through tough timber environments to help provide dependable durability and performance. With three tooth kerfs available (2 5/16”, 2 7/16” and 2 1/2”), they’re compatible with competitive wide kerf no shank (shankless) tooth enabled blades using 1” bolts and will be sold in kits of 18 or 20 pieces. “When operators see a product with the Waratah name on it, they can trust it was proven and built with performance in mind,” Mr Fisher said. “When it comes to keeping machines running, every part matters. Staying sharp, even through dirt contact, is what we set out to achieve and what our operators can expect with these new saw teeth.” The hardened no-shank saw teeth join an extensive offering of genuine Waratah parts. As with all Waratah parts and products, the saw teeth also come with easily accessible support for dealers and customers.

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Metsä Group’s impact on the Finnish economy is significant: the company’s value-added impact amounts to approximately EUR 3.4 billion per year, and its operations employ more than 30,000 people in Finland. The figures are based on an assessment by KPMG Oy Ab of Metsä’s economic impact in 2023–2025. Source: Timberbiz The results highlight the key role of the forest industry in the Finnish economy at a time when growth has been slow and the economic outlook remains uncertain. Metsä’s total output – its overall impact on the Finnish economy, amounts to EUR 10,060 million per year. This is generated not only by the company’s own revenue but also by its extensive domestic value chain, including procurement, investments and wages, as well as the economic activity they create across different industries. Metsä’s operations generate an estimated EUR 930 million in annual tax revenues in Finland. This is a scale that translates concretely into Finnish society, for example in the funding of public services. The amount corresponds to the annual salaries of more than 20,000 nurses in Finland. During the review period, Metsä directly employed an average of 5,750 people in Finland. Procurement, investments, and the spending of wages by directly and indirectly employed people generate an additional nearly 25,000 jobs. In total, the employment impact amounts to approximately 30,800 people, roughly equivalent to the entire employed population of a city. Metsä’s value-added impact, the economic value generated in Finland in the form of wages, profits and taxes, is approximately EUR 3.4 billion, a significant contribution to Finland’s GDP. The impacts extend widely across business sectors and regions: work carried out in forests, logistics and industry is reflected throughout society and the economy nationwide. Investments made in Finland create long-term effects on employment, business activity and public finances. The assessment demonstrates the extensive impact that forestry and the forest industry have on employment, economic growth and public finances in Finland. Value is created from Finnish forests and refined into a broad domestic value chain that provides jobs and generates wellbeing across the country. “In the current environment, it is particularly important that Finland does not, through national decisions, weaken the operating conditions for forestry and the forest industry, but instead supports their renewal, efficiency and international competitiveness,” said Jussi Vanhanen, President and CEO of Metsä Group. The assessment conducted by KPMG is based on data provided by Metsä for 2023–2025 as well as Statistics Finland data. The analysis was carried out using an input–output model and covers the company’s direct, indirect and induced effects, including the impacts generated by the spending of wages of directly and indirectly employed people in Finland.

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In 2025, the WIDE Trust supported an innovative step forward in architectural education, helping equip future designers with the skills needed to respond to one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the climate crisis. Source: Timberbiz Through a grant of NZ$13,000, the Trust supported the University of Auckland School of Architecture & Planning to deliver a hands-on timber design and fabrication program to 124 second-year architecture students. Led by Professor Andrew Barrie, the initiative forms part of a reimagined curriculum focused on designing with timber, particularly mass timber, which is rapidly emerging as a sustainable solution in modern construction. The 2025 course introduced a refreshed structure, with 25% of teaching delivered through all-of-cohort sessions. These sessions connected students directly with leading voices in New Zealand architecture, offering insights into some of the country’s most significant recent timber projects. Guest speakers included: Dr Jeremy Smith (Irving Smith Architects) – Bioeconomy Science Institute Andrew Barrie – Cathedral Grammar Junior School Ewan Brown (Tennant Brown Architects) – Ngā Mokopuna Richard Naish (RTA Studio) – Fisher & Paykel Global Headquarters Maria Chan (Jasmax) – Tukutuku, AUT Divya Purushotham (Warren & Mahoney) – 90 Devonport Road, Tauranga.   Students also took part in technical workshops covering the Building Code, structural solutions, and timber engineering, including a specialist session with Professor Pierre Quenneville. At the heart of the WIDE Trust’s contribution was a practical fabrication project: designing and producing a timber stool using the school’s state-of-the-art CNC milling machine, also funded by the Trust. This hands-on exercise guided students through the full design-to-production process: Prototyping concepts with scaled laser-cut models Testing critical joints for precision and tolerance Producing shop drawings and digital fabrication files CNC milling final designs Hand-finishing and oiling completed pieces   Throughout the process, students engaged in peer reviews, refining their designs while developing a deeper understanding of material performance, craftsmanship, and production efficiency. The impact of the project was immediate and tangible. Students not only developed technical fabrication skills but also gained a strong appreciation for the precision required in digital manufacturing. Feedback from participants highlighted the value of the experience: “The stool task was a very cool opportunity… it was really cool to get to take home a stool out of it.” “It taught me how important it is to get it right the first time, otherwise it’s very time-consuming and costly to fix.” “I’d never done fabrication before, so I learnt a lot from that.” Beyond the classroom, the project also received recognition in the Faculty of Engineering and Design’s newsletter, reflecting its broader significance within the university. The WIDE Trust’s investment in this initiative goes beyond funding, it is helping shape a new generation of architects who are better equipped to design sustainably, think innovatively, and contribute meaningfully to the future of the built environment. The Trust’s continued support plays a vital role in enabling bold, forward-thinking education, and its impact will be seen not just in classrooms, but in the buildings and communities of tomorrow.

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Some of New Zealand’s wilding conifer challenges stem from well-intentioned decisions of the past. Species like lodgepole pine, originally introduced for erosion control and wood production in high country environments, have since spread aggressively. Without effective management, the consequences are significant. Source: Timberbiz Over the next 25 to 30 years, wilding conifers could spread across large parts of the country, affecting up to a quarter of New Zealand’s land. The impacts are wide-ranging: Loss of productive land Reduced hydroelectric generation Threats to native species and ecosystems Transformation of iconic New Zealand landscapes.   These invasions also affect cultural heritage and whenua. At places like Mount Tarawera, wilding conifers have been spreading since the 1960s and 1970s. Ruawahia 2B Trust, has worked tirelessly to manage the problem, but ongoing pressure highlights just how persistent and dynamic these invasions can be. Wilding conifers don’t respect boundaries, and neither can the response. If control efforts succeed in one area but fail in another, reinvasion pressure will continue to spread. This makes collaboration essential. Researchers at the Bioeconomy Science Institute work closely with the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme and the Wilding Pine Network, sharing knowledge, aligning approaches, and contributing to continuous improvement. This partnership approach ensures that: Research is translated into real-world action Control methods evolve as new knowledge emerges Communities and organisations stay connected and informed   Over the past decade, research has already delivered tangible improvements that are close to becoming implemented. For example, new spray technologies and formulations are predicted to reduce the cost of managing dense infestations by around 30%. But stopping the spread is only the first step. Today, the focus is shifting to a more complex challenge: How do we prevent reinvasion? This means looking beyond tree removal to better land management practices, restoring and strengthening ecosystems, and increasing resilience to future invasions. Addressing wilding conifers as an ecological problem requires collaboration across disciplines and borders. The Viva la Resistance program brings together expertise from: Lincoln University University of Canterbury Australian National University National Centre for Atmospheric Research (USA)   Together, researchers are working to answer key questions about invasion dynamics, ecosystem recovery, and long-term resilience. Ultimately, managing wilding conifers is not a challenge any single organisation, community, or sector can solve alone. It requires: Research and innovation Strong partnerships Coordinated action Long-term investment The goal of Viva la Resistance is clear: optimise wilding conifer management for the long term by minimising reinvasion and maximising resilience. It’s a complex problem but with a collective approach, it’s one New Zealand can tackle together. To learn more visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEq28-aFFkw

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FSC has revised its core standard setting general requirements for certification bodies, FSC-STD-20-001, and published a new version (V5-0) on 1 April 2025. Source: Timberbiz The transition period for implementation will run until FSC invites stakeholders to join a public webinar introducing the revised standard to support them in understanding and applying the updated requirements. This session will provide a clear and practical overview of the key changes and new concepts introduced in FSC-STD-20-001 V5-0 General requirements for certification bodies, as well as their implications for implementation. The webinar will also include a live Q&A session, giving participants the opportunity to raise questions and gain clarity on practical application and compliance expectations. Key topics Overview of FSC STD 20 001 V5 0 revision process Major changes compared to previous versions New concepts and requirements for certification bodies Implementation considerations and timelines Interactive Q&A session This public webinar is open to all interested stakeholders, including certificate holders, certification bodies, FSC members, FSC network partner staff, and other relevant stakeholders seeking clarity and guidance on the revised standard. The webinar is on 30 June 2026, 18:00 – 19:30 AEST/20:00 – 21:30 NZST Register at: https://fsc-int.zoom.us/meeting/register/X22iPqJqQKO_Y31b2XdjkA#/registration

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The New Zealand government’s review of how Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is funded should be accompanied by a wider examination of whether FENZ is delivering for rural communities, forest owners say. Source: Timberbiz The New Zealand Forest Owners Association (NZFOA) and Federated Farmers wrote to Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden last week, calling for an independent review just 10 years after FENZ was first established. The Minister has since confirmed a review of the insurance-based levy which provides most of FENZ’s funding. NZFOA chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says the review presents an opportunity to assess whether the 2017 fire services reform has achieved its intention of delivering improved fire capabilities and protection for rural communities. “Rural landowners carry substantial cost and risk under the current system, with limited evidence of delivering the efficiencies, transparency and service improvements that were originally expected,” Dr Heeg said. “For example, has the merger of urban and rural fire services delivered the efficiencies and benefits originally intended when FENZ was established? “Examining whether rural communities are receiving fair and effective fire and emergency services, relative to the risks they face, should be a central part of the review’s scope.” NZFOA fire spokesperson Sean McBride says the forestry sector plays a critical role in managing fire risk. “Forest owners and farmers are at the frontline of rural fire prevention and control,” he says. “The capacity and expertise that our people bring to fire management is a critical extension of our country’s response network.” Strengthening collaboration with FENZ during large-scale incidents, where local expertise is often essential for effective suppression, will be critical to ensuring this capability is fully utilised. “With climate pressures increasing the frequency and scale of fire risk, the industry needs confidence that FENZ has the specialist knowledge, capability and focus needed to manage large-scale vegetation and landscape fires,” Mr McBride said. “Spending decisions and performance measures must also reflect the very different risks and operating environments across rural New Zealand.” NZFOA’s priority is to ensure New Zealand’s fire response system adequately supports frontline response, training and capability. “Forest owners understand risk and responsibility better than most,” Dr Heeg said. “We are not asking for concessions. We are asking for a system that is transparent, evidence-based, and clearly demonstrates it is delivering the fire protection and capability it is funded to provide.” She says the call for a wider review is consistent with questions being raised across the primary sector about whether expected gains from structural reform have been fully realised. “Reviewing whether FENZ is delivering for levy payers is not a criticism of frontline firefighters or volunteers, who continue to do outstanding work,” Dr Heeg said. “ It’s about giving landowners and rural communities assurances that the organisation supporting them is efficient, accountable and aligned to the risks it is designed to manage. “As FENZ enters its second decade, it is appropriate to ensure those expectations are being met.”

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WorkSafe New Zealand has provided practical safety guidance to hundreds of wood manufacturing businesses, as part of a significant proactive focus on one of the country’s most dangerous sectors. Source: Timberbiz WorkSafe’s health and safety inspectors visited 657 businesses between January and March, from toy makers to joiners and wood processors, sharing education and guidance material with 83% of them. “Many businesses were committed to improving safety and welcomed the chance to talk through their health and safety practices,” said WorkSafe’s project lead Savio Valladares. “These visits are about helping businesses get it right, not catching them out.” However, the assessments also revealed persistent safety gaps. About half the businesses visited were required to make prompt changes to help prevent harm. The most common issues were inadequate machine guarding, missing or out-of-date hazardous substances inventories, and workers exposed to wood dust without effective controls such as ventilation and protective equipment. “Manufacturing workers deserve to go home healthy and safe at the end of every day. These visits are about helping businesses and workers understand what good looks like – and most were receptive to that. While we can see progress is being made, too many are still missing safety essentials,” said Savio Valladares. The findings reinforce why the sector is a priority focus for WorkSafe. Manufacturing has the highest rate and number of injuries resulting in more than a week off work of any sector – around 200 machinery-related injuries occur each year. An average of four to five manufacturing workers are killed at work each year, roughly two thirds of fatalities occur in food, wood, and metal product manufacturing. WorkSafe will continue proactive visits to manufacturing businesses. From July to September, the focus shifts to food manufacturing. WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses and workers to meet their responsibilities and keep people healthy and safe.  

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AFPA has made a submission on the Federal Government’s proposed amendments to the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Collection Act 2024, broadly supporting the objective of improving the effectiveness and flexibility of the levy system. Source: Timberbiz The submission relates to the public consultation on the policy changes the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is considering in relation to the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 2024. AFPA says the Australian forestry industry welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed amendments to the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Collection Act 2024. It broadly supports the department’s intent to enhance the effectiveness of the levies system through improved data use and administrative flexibility. According to the submission the reforms have the potential to strengthen evidence-based policy, improve research quality, and support system integrity. However, inclusion of robust safeguards, clear limits on scope, and strong transparency and accountability mechanisms are needed to ensure ongoing effective implementation. AFPA supports, in principle, the ability of DAFF to share information with trusted third-party providers for intended uses and supports the proposed powers for the Secretary to make rules under the Act that enable the collection of levy/charge payer and collection agent personal information for the establishment and maintenance of levy payer registers. AFPA also supports the proposal to enable the use and disclosure of levy payer and collection agent personal information for research, policy development and data analysis purposes, including by ABARES. Improved data quality and survey capability represent important public benefits. However, for industry to properly understand the scope and implications of these changes, and to ensure adequate data privacy and there are no unintended consequences, the exact legislative wording outlining the circumstances under which information sharing may occur must be clearly, transparently, and explicitly articulated in the primary legislation or accompanying rules. AFPA’s recommendations: Define data sharing purpose limitation Explicit data access provisions for Industry Representative Bodies Legislative clarity Third-party data controls De-identification by default Transparency measures Opt-out mechanisms where feasible Independent oversight and audit Data breach protocols   The submission can be downloaded at https://ausfpa.com.au/publications/submission-on-proposed-levy-collection-reforms/

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While Senator Pauline Hanson was telling the National Press Club that, “From its chairman down, the ABC has proven itself to be completely in denial about its profoundly transparent political bias and the activists in its ranks.” The ABC was doing its best to prove her correct according to Timber NSW chief executive Maree McCaskill. Source: Timberbiz “Any pretence that the ABC Four Corners ‘journalists’ are anything more than activists disappears when they describe one of their interviewees, in an email, as a ‘formidable opponent’,” said Ms McCaskill. “This latest stitch-up of the sustainable forestry industry which has harvested trees for generations, and re-grown forests for generations is based entirely on a fiction being spread by the national broadcaster. “Forestry policy needs to be based on science not opinion and yet, sadly, ABC Four Corners prioritises uneducated opinion over evidence-based science when it comes to the timber industry. “Activists at the national broadcaster are working tirelessly to shut down the forestry industry in NSW and the rest of Australia as quickly as they can based on conjecture and opinion expressed by unnamed environmental groups from “down south” to quote the Four Corners journalist during a lengthy interview with Andrew Hurford, the head of a multi-generational timber industry group. “Four Corners is attempting to portray the forest products industry as immoral by making false allegations that parts of the industry have been paid compensation when they haven’t suffered loss of contracted timber supply. “In addition, the ABC activists essentially debunk scientific evidence used by the CSIRO by giving equal weighting to opinion and conjecture from unnamed environmental groups. “Four Corners interviewed Andrew Hurford in a part of a forest that had been harvested only two years earlier, yet they refused to acknowledge that fact because it didn’t show the devastation that they were looking for. “In audio recordings of the interview the birdsong is almost too intrusive to conduct an interview, reflective of a very healthy ecosystem. “Their attempt to sway public opinion against the forestry industry even goes as far as showing footage of a timber haulage truck arriving at a mill complete with feigned gasps of horror without acknowledging that the timber was from private land, not a public forest and that it was the only delivery of large logs in a nearly a year. “There must be a limit to the lengths that ABC activists will go to in order to destroy a viable, sustainable forestry industry in NSW,” Ms McCaskill said. Timber NSW was established in 1906 as the representative organisation of the timber and forest products industry in NSW. Its mission is to work with members, stakeholders and the broader industry to build an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable timber industry in New South Wales. Tonight, on the ABC’s Four Corners program, the station is broadcasting an investigation titled “Timber Turmoil“.  The episode, reported by Jessica Longbottom, investigates the current state of Australia’s native forest logging industry.

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