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WILDCARD: The Forest Game is an exciting new podcast that turns the complex science of ecological restoration into an immersive, continent-spanning adventure. Source: Timberbiz Produced by the WILDCARD project in collaboration with Starter, this innovative audio series invites listeners to journey through Europe’s diverse and often overlooked forest landscapes, exploring how damaged ecosystems can be restored and reimagined. Each episode of The Forest Game acts as a “strategic move” on a metaphorical game board. Listeners join scientists, researchers, and forest experts in unravelling stories of nature – from identifying remnants of true wilderness to balancing human needs with ecological integrity. Along the way, they encounter powerful narratives of transformation and hope, as well as strategies to bring forests back to life in all their complexity. By using the metaphor of a board game, the podcast breaks down complex ecological concepts into engaging, accessible narratives. Every dice roll reveals new challenges – wildfires, invasive species, fragmentation – while each game square unveils a tale of resilience, research, and renewal. The result is a unique blend of entertainment and scientific insight, making forest restoration not only understandable, but thrilling. The series was written by Silvia Giralucci (Starter) and produced under the scientific supervision of Giorgio Alberti from the University of Udine. Editorial guidance comes from Gesche Schifferdecker of the European Forest Institute (EFI), with voice-over by Rahel Könen and post-production by Santiago Alarcón, also of EFI. WILDCARD: The Forest Game offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The podcast is available at http://wildcard-project.eu/wildcard-the-forest-game-podcast/  

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The US Department of Agriculture’s decision to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule is one step towards reversing decades of forest neglect that has left millions of acres vulnerable to severe wildfire, insect infestations, and disease according to Healthy Forests Healthy Communities. Source: Timberbiz Enacted during the final hours of Bill Clinton’s presidency, the Roadless Rule unilaterally imposed sweeping restrictions on road construction and timber access across nearly 60 million acres, or nearly one-third of all National Forest System lands. The Roadless Rule was never passed by Congress. Instead, it was implemented administratively, bypassing the legislative process required to designate new Wilderness areas under the 1964 Wilderness Act. While Congress has formally designated 36 million acres as Wilderness, the Roadless Rule locked up an additional 59 million acres as “de facto wilderness” where active forest management is effectively barred. Today, many forests in roadless areas are overstocked and choked with dead and dying trees. Nearly half of all roadless acres are now located in areas rated at high or very high wildfire risk. Since the rule was enacted, more than 8 million acres of roadless forests have burned, and wildfire suppression costs have skyrocketed. Contrary to some claims, rescinding the rule does not mean that 60 million acres will suddenly be opened to logging.  It does not repeal any environmental laws, override local forest plans, or eliminate the need for site-specific environmental review. All projects on federal lands, including those in former roadless areas, must still comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act and many other regulations. Each national forest also operates under a management plan developed with public input, which continues to guide decisions on what activities are appropriate and where. What the rescission does achieve is the removal of a rigid, one-size-fits-all policy that has restricted even the most basic access needed to manage forests safely and responsibly. It restores the Forest Service’s ability to consider building temporary or permanent roads where necessary for fuels reduction, forest restoration, emergency response, or critical infrastructure work. Access to public lands also supports safe and effective firefighting.  Without roads, firefighters can’t reach ignition points, build fire lines, or safely evacuate. Better access means faster response, safer operations, and a greater chance of stopping fires before they threaten our communities. The Forest Service will soon undergo a public rulemaking process before any final rescission of the Roadless Rule. This will include an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, opportunities for public comment, and the publication of a final rule. The agency will also conduct a full environmental review under NEPA, consult with Tribes, and work closely with state governments throughout the process.  

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In June PEFC welcomed experts from across the globe to the first in-person gathering of accreditation bodies and certification bodies. The event fostered open collaboration and sharing of insights on the implementation of the standards. Source: Timberbiz PEFC also introduced new data projects and strategy led by three core values: Data Integrity – ensuring all required data is captured and accurate. Data Access – verifying certification and demonstrating impact. Data Efficiency – Improved data user experience and interfaces. Forty-eight participants from around the world, including representatives from certification bodies including Preferred by Nature, Control Union, SGS, Intertek, DNVGL, BM Certification SIA, BMC Assurance , NSF, GFA, FCBA, BV France, HW-Zert, BM Trada, SCS Global Services, Soil Association, Holzforschung Austria and Wood.be attended. Representatives from accreditation bodies who joined included Accredia, COFRAC, CAI and TUNAC. “Working closely with accreditation bodies and certification bodies on the development and implementation of our standards is a key for our success,” Rob Shaw, Head of Standards and Integrity at PEFC International said. “I particularly appreciated the open and honest dialogue allowing us to explore challenges, such as attracting new generations to the audit profession, and how we can address them together.” The transition from RED II to RED III and the upcoming accreditation requirements sparked serious discussions in the PEFC RED standards session, especially around how biomass can be audited using PEFC’s framework. Participants showed great interest in PEFC RED certification and recognised its significant potential to support companies. PEFC technology partners CommonShare, LiveEO, and Osapiens gave presentations on how digital tools, satellite data, and smarter systems can make auditing and information sharing more reliable and transparent. Technology has an important role to play in the future of certification. Digital innovations being introduced at PEFC were shown by walking participants through the development of the new RED database, FREDII. This database is bringing PEFC into a new digital area, and PEFC is working on applying these innovations to the full certification system in a new database. Significant emphasis was given to the crucial role of stakeholders including PEFC national members, certification and accreditation bodies, and organisations throughout the development process. The representative from Accredia introduced the accreditability evaluation for international standards, which enables certification bodies to be accredited under the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA). An update was given on the accreditation status of the PEFC EUDR DDS standard, with the final evaluation expected by the end of July. Once finalised, certification bodies based in EA countries can apply to their accreditation bodies to extend their 17065 accreditation scope to cover the PEFC EUDR DDS module. Speakers shared updates on ongoing projects on circular economy, project certification, new requirements for certification bodies providing sustainable forest management certification, trees outside forests, and approaches to demonstrate positive impact in plantation forests This face-to-face meeting was a unique chance to connect, exchange ideas, and lay the foundation for even stronger collaboration in the future.

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Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is a serious plant disease that impacts New Zealand native species like pōhutukawa, rātā, maire tawake and ramarama. In New Zealand, there is only biotype – pandemic – present but there are several different biotypes of the myrtle rust fungus that infect different host species overseas. Source: Timberbiz A biotype is a group of organisms having the same or nearly the same genotype. These biotypes found overseas pose a significant biosecurity threat. In a paper published in January, Scion researchers collected seed from North Island populations of kānuka, mānuka and pōhutukawa and plants were grown overseas to investigate their susceptibility. There was only a Iimited amount of Lophomyrtus (ramarama, rōhutu) seed available, so it wasn’t tested. Seedlings were screened against Eucalyptus and other biotypes to check for susceptibility and resistance. All of the myrtle species screened developed symptoms following exposure to each of the biotypes tested. A similar pattern of relative susceptibility was found among the myrtle species tested. Pōhutukawa was the most susceptible species tested, followed by mānuka, then kānuka. Some seedlings showed evidence of full resistance (more so in kānuka and mānuka). The myrtle rust fungus produced its sexual spore stage on all the NZ myrtles tested, indicating that sexual reproduction between different biotypes of the pathogen might be possible. These findings highlight the need for development of tools to differentiate between strains and biotypes of myrtle rust for rapid diagnostics to monitor for and respond to incursions. Identifying host ranges for different biotypes could be used to investigate the connection between host associations and virulence and improve our understanding of the evolution of virulence towards or away from multiple hosts. This program exemplifies Scion’s connections with national and international researchers, including Plant and Food Research and Manaaki Whenua (both groups in the Bioeconomy Science Institute), and researchers in Australia, South Africa, Uruguay and USA. Scion’s expertise in forest pathology and biosecurity research enables it to protect not only commercial forest species but extends to native species. For more information visit https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-024-03465-5

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Forico’s Sustainability Manager Simon Cook has always been passionate about sustainable forest management. In the early 1990s, during his undergraduate studies in Forestry Management at Aberdeen University, he distinctly recalls a lecturer introducing the concept of global certification standards. In 1994, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was founded as a voluntary certification for sustainable forestry. Source: Timberbiz Thirty years later, Mr Cook was elected to the Board of the Forest Stewardship Council Australian and New Zealand (FSC ANZ), where he now represents the Economic Chamber. Over the decades, Mr Cook has built a distinguished career promoting sustainability and robust certification in forest management across both hemispheres. In his current position at Forico, he has played a key role in ensuring Forico’s plantation estate and natural forest areas are managed with a focus on sustainable stewardship. He has been instrumental in driving the development of the company’s award-winning Natural Capital Reports and its Reconciliation Action Plan. More recently, Mr Cook served as a member of the FSC ANZ’s Standards Development Group, helping to ensure the Standard meets contemporary requirements and remains relevant and accurate in response to global developments in climate, forest and supply chain management. “Simon brings extensive forestry experience and a strong commitment to responsible practice,” said Melanie Robertson, CEO of FSC ANZ. “He played a leading role in Forico’s delivery of Australia’s first Natural Capital Report and in Forico becoming the first FSC-certified organisation in Australia to implement the FSC Ecosystem Services Procedure, demonstrating positive outcomes in biodiversity conservation. “He also contributed significantly to our Standards Development Group, helping shape the first draft of the revised Forest Stewardship Standard for Australia. We’ve greatly valued his insights and are excited to welcome his leadership and perspective on the Board.” On his recent appointment to the FSC ANZ Board, Mr Cook reflected that “Certification is critical for businesses pursuing the gold standard for sustainable forestry in Australia and New Zealand. With challenges like climate change and nature loss, which are offset by emerging opportunities in carbon markets and biodiversity credits, it’s more important than ever to ensure that our certification systems remain robust, credible and evolve with time. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to governance and best practice for our industry at FSC ANZ during such an exciting time.”  

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Planet Ark is calling on individuals, schools, community groups, and businesses across Australia to take part in the nation’s biggest community tree-planting event on Sunday 27 July. Source: Timberbiz Since its inception in 1996, more than 28 million native trees, shrubs, and grasses have been planted by millions of volunteers, contributing to the restoration and preservation of Australia’s ecosystems. Planet Ark’s research has consistently highlighted the positive impacts of spending time in nature and participating in activities like tree planting on human health and wellbeing. Reports published as part of the National Tree Day program show that time spent in green spaces is linked to reduced stress, improved mental health, increased physical activity, and a lower risk of chronic diseases. Tree planting events have also been shown to foster social cohesion and enhance feelings of purpose and satisfaction within communities, providing an important opportunity to strengthen community bonds while supporting the local environment. Rebecca Gilling, Planet Ark CEO, emphasised that National Tree Day shows the potential collective impact of many individual actions taken together. “National Tree Day brings together people of all ages – from young children to grandparents – with the shared purpose of nurturing the environment and each other. It’s a meaningful reminder that when we take collective action, even small acts like planting a single tree can grow into something truly transformative,” Ms Gilling said. Planet Ark encourages all Australians to get involved by : Hosting an event: Gather friends, family, or colleagues to plan and register a planting event, contributing directly to your local environment. Joining a local planting event: Connect with community groups or local councils hosting tree-planting activities in your area. Supporting The Seedling Bank: Consider donating to The Seedling Bank, which provides financial support to schools and community groups for their plantings. For more information visit www.treeday.planetark.org

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The Tasmanian Forest & Forest Products Network (TFFPN) has advised that its Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday 5 September at the Tailrace Centre, Launceston prior to the 2025 TFFPN Tasmanian Timber Awards. Source: Timberbiz The TFFPN in accordance with section 13.4 of its Constitution, is calling for nominations to serve as a director on the TFFPN board. Two director vacancies currently exist. The TFFPN welcomes nominations from individuals with experience in treasury, company secretary responsibilities, and governance. All nominees must complete and submit a Director Nomination Form by 5:00pm on 4 August 2025. For more information visit: https://www.tffpn.com.au/

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New Zealand company NILO has reached a significant technical milestone on its journey toward commercialisation. NILO has developed a sprayable adhesive made from plastic waste that significantly reduces the emission of formaldehyde and the carbon footprint of engineered wood products. Source: Timberbiz Rigorous internal validation testing over the last month has confirmed NILO’s formulation meets key performance standards for furniture-grade products, which make up approximately 60% of the global particle board market. NILO’s adhesive is derived from hard-to-recycle plastic waste streams, specifically polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), that would otherwise be incinerated or end up in landfill. These plastics are commonly used in products like agricultural and industrial shrink-wrap. Using a patented process, NILO transforms the plastic waste into an industrial adhesive that is clean, safe and cost-competitive. Developed by NILO’s Auckland-based team, led by Chief Technical Officer Simon Oakley, the adhesive can be used with a wide range of fibre sources to produce engineered wood products in a heated press. In keeping with NILO’s circular model, products made using its adhesive can be reground and reused as feedstock for new board production. Using NILO adhesive helps global manufacturers move away from hazardous traditional adhesives, particularly urea formaldehyde (UF), melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), while lowering the overall carbon footprint of the final product. NILO adhesive can be blended with existing adhesive formulations, increasing the speed to market and enabling a strong customer adoption pathway. “Our aim is to ultimately replace UF, MUF and MDI adhesives entirely,” NILO CEO Michael Maunsell said. “But right now, we’re offering a real, workable solution that integrates with existing manufacturing processes, which is critical for the sector to make meaningful progress on emissions.” Adhesives are one of the most emissions-intensive components in the manufacture of engineered wood products, which are used globally in furniture, cabinetry, interiors and construction. Reducing the use of UF, MUF and MDI, which are derived from fossil fuels and associated with health, safety and emissions concerns, is a growing priority for global manufacturers under pressure to meet environmental targets. NILO’s formulation is compatible with standard production lines and designed to be used as a drop-in component, supporting the transition to cleaner, lower-emission adhesive systems. Independent third-party testing will take place in the coming months, with full-scale production trials at international facilities scheduled for 2026. Backed by global investors such as IKEA that invested in NILO in May 2023 and has a seat on the board. NILO is one of a small number of companies globally working to decarbonise the adhesives that hold engineered wood products together.

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Murrindindi Shire Council in Victoria has welcomed the announcement of $130,000 in Victorian Government funding to support the work of the Farm Forestry Innovation Working Group, part of Council’s broader Shaping Murrindindi’s Future program. Source: Timberbiz The funding will enable delivery of the Murrindindi Farm Forestry Project, a strategic initiative to assess the current state of farm forestry across the Shire, identify opportunities for growth and innovation, and build on the region’s deep expertise in forestry and land management, the Council says. The project will explore the potential for small to medium-scale plantations on farming land, supporting income diversification through products such as sustainably harvested timber, firewood, carbon offset credits, eucalyptus oils and native food production. A proposed pilot Farm Forestry Interpretive Centre will also be developed to share knowledge, showcase innovation and support best practice across the industry. The investment builds on the foundations of Shaping Murrindindi’s Future, a community-led initiative supporting the region’s economic diversification in response to the Victorian Government’s phase-out of native timber harvesting. The Council says farm forestry is emerging as a key opportunity for innovation, aligning with Council’s environmental values and the community’s aspirations for a more resilient and sustainable future. “This investment will help our community explore the economic and environmental potential of farm forestry. It supports our vision for a stronger, more diversified local economy, and Council looks forward to working with the community and industry partners to explore how farm forestry can deliver long-term benefits for Murrindindi Shire,” said Council’s Economic Development Portfolio Councillor, Sandice McAulay. For more information on Council’s Farm Forestry project, visit www.shapingmurrindindisfuture.com.au/farm-forestry  

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The Forest Products Commission (the FPC) invites new, established and emerging businesses to purchase Western Australian plantation and native forest timbers. Source: Timberbiz The FPC is establishing a panel of buyers to purchase residues and industrial wood salvaged from native forest and plantation activities until 2033. These timbers are typically processed as fibre for pulp, paper, fibreboard, wood composites and energy markets. The FPC’s Request for Proposal calls for businesses to become panel members. At the same time, the FPC is seeking offers for the first plantation and native forest timber parcels: Request for Quote 1 – Plantation Timber Softwood – Up to 420,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of Industrial Wood and 100,000 tpa of Residues between WA’s South West, Albany and Esperance regions. Hardwood – up to 200,000 tonnes of various species Industrial Wood and Residue in the south west Wheatbelt  region.   Request for Quote 2 – Native Forest Timber Up to 100,000 tpa of Recovery Log from Ecological Thinning. Over the term of the panel, new panel members can be appointed and additional timber parcels released for the panel to consider. Please visit TendersWA to view the tender documents here.

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