Forest Products Industry

Karelia forests – Since late 2022, Segezha Group, a subsidiary of Russian AFK Sistema, has engaged in large-scale logging operations near Lake Maksimyärvi in Karelia, an area proposed for reserve status. Over one year, the company has cleared 1,700 hectares of old-growth forests with trees ranging from 150 to over 300 years old. These forests are home to 72 species listed in the Red Data Books of Russia and Karelia, including rare plants, fungi, and animals. Logging activities have destroyed six critical wildlife habitats and 73 documented sites of rare flora and fauna, as reported by Kedr.Media, which has been labelled a foreign agent by Russian authorities.

Until the fall of 2022, these forests were protected under a moratorium agreed upon by Segezha Group and FSC. However, FSC’s withdrawal from Russia and the loss of European markets led Segezha to abandon its commitments. Between June and November 2022, the company removed 1.5 million hectares of old-growth forests in Karelia from protection. These areas include sites intended for reserves such as Kuzharvi, Lakes Nyuk, Vygozersky-2, and Zaonezhsky.

Scientific research emphasizes the critical role of old-growth forests in carbon storage and climate regulation. A study titled “Large Trees Dominate Carbon Storage in Forests East of the Cascade Crest in the United States Pacific Northwest” revealed that large trees, constituting just 3% of total forest stems, account for up to 42% of stored carbon. Logging such trees not only releases significant CO2 but also undermines ecosystem resilience.

In Karelia, old-growth forests represent only 12% of the total forest cover, equivalent to 10% of the republic’s land area. These ecosystems are vital for biodiversity and support rare species, such as the northern reindeer. The Maksimyärvi area, with an average tree age exceeding 150 years, is considered a unique natural asset.

Delays in formalizing protections for these areas exacerbate the problem. While documentation to designate Maksimyärvi as a reserve was submitted in 2023, legal protection has yet to be implemented. Environmentalists appealed to the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office in April 2023 to halt logging, citing Ministry of Natural Resources Order No. 264, which mandates the preservation of habitats for species listed in the Red Data Books. Despite this, logging continues.

Nikolay Shmatkov, director of the Lesnoy Etalon certification system created by former FSC staff after its exit from Russia, confirmed to Lesprom Network that Segezha Group is logging in proposed reserves, including Maksimyärvi. “This is not an isolated incident, other reserves face similar threats,” Shmatkov stated. “The law requires forest users to identify and protect habitats of rare and endangered species, such as the northern reindeer in Maksimyärvi, yet these obligations are not being met.”

To read previous Segezha Group posts click here.

 

Follow IFI on Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

The post Segezha Group clears old-growth Karelia forests, endangering 1.5 million hectares of unique ecosystems appeared first on International Forest Industries.

Metsä Group’s tissue paper business is taking an important step towards more sustainable transports of its tissue products by arranging part of its outbound transports to customers in Scandinavia with fossil-free fuels. Source: Timberbiz This shift is part of the company’s strategic Lean Supply Chain program aiming for efficient and lean value proposition to local markets. Approximately 40% of Metsä Tissue Scandinavia’s outbound transports are now powered by HVO or biodiesel. These biofuel transports represent a vast majority of the outbound transports that Metsä Tissue organizes by itself in the region and the company’s short-term target is to extend the biofuel coverage of own transports to 100%. Customers that organize their own transports are encouraged to collect their tissue products from Metsä Tissue’s Swedish mills with transportations using fossil free fuels. “By setting high standards for our transportation partners and choosing renewable fuels such as HVO, we can reduce our emissions by up to 90% per truck transport. This is an important step in our strategy and in reaching our ambitious sustainability targets 2030. It also demonstrates well our commitment to more responsible future in our transports – for us and for our customers,” said Daniel Stenberg, Vice President Supply chain, Metsä Tissue Scandinavia. In addition, the increased localized production with the expansion and modernisation of Metsä Tissue’s Mariestad mill will further reduce transportation emissions per transported tonne. Today, more than 85%of the company’s deliveries are made within a 500-kilometer radius from the mills and the increase in local capacity will provide even more local products with shorter transport distances. Combined with the target to transition to 100% fossil-free fuels, the company continues to strengthen its efforts in achieving more sustainable transportations.

Developed to be a flexible and cost-effective timber handling solution for mechanised timber operations, the four-wheel drive (4WD) Bell Skogger design concept has versatility at its core. Source: Timberbiz While developed with primarily an extraction application in mind, the boom and grapple configuration lends itself perfectly to the accumulation of timber infield for extraction, sorting, stacking, and loading timber. There is also an option to install a felling kit, which utilises a felling head where tree size, terrain, or underfoot conditions necessitate a heavier 4WD carrier. Skogger utilises a simple and efficient hydrostatic-mechanical drivetrain with good ground clearance and a low centre of gravity. Its comfortable and ergonomic rubber-mounted operator cab is air-conditioned and boasts a 180° swivelling operator seat and excellent all-around visibility. The Bell Skogger, powered by the JCB Diesel Max 444 T2 Turbo engine, delivers an impressive 74kW of power at 2 200rpm, ensuring a power-packed performance for timber extraction operations. Its overhead boom is equipped with dual lifting cylinders and internal hose routing to ensure efficient and reliable timber handling. With frame articulation of 86 degrees, stop to stop, the Bell Skogger exhibits outstanding manoeuvrability, effortlessly navigating through tight spaces during timber extraction operations. The operator joystick ensures precise steering control for smooth and efficient operation that enhances the overall productivity and ease of use for the operator. The Bell Skogger’s rigid front axle and oscillating rear axle make it a master of uneven terrains, effortlessly conquering challenging landscapes during timber extraction operations. With a rear axle oscillation travel of 30 degrees, stop to stop, the Skogger has exceptional manoeuvrability, allowing operators to navigate tight spaces and difficult terrain with ease. Equipped with standard 23.1 – 26 (16 ply) tyres, the Bell Skogger provides reliable traction. For enhanced performance and even greater traction, an optional 18.4 – 30 (16 ply) tyres configuration is available for the toughest logging environments. With high and low range options and a maximum speed of 20km/h (12.5mph), the Bell Skogger effortlessly manoeuvres through challenging landscapes, ensuring timely and efficient timber extraction. The Skogger’s four-wheel drive system guarantees optimal traction, while the heavy-duty outboard planetary limited slip differential lock provides stability and control for safe and reliable operation even in rugged logging environments. The Bell Skogger focuses on operator comfort and productivity with its rubber-mounted, glazed, and airconditioned operator cab providing a comfortable working environment even in challenging conditions. The ergonomic operator controls, including the mini-coordinate joystick, make operating the Skogger precise and effortless, enhancing productivity and reducing operator fatigue. The 180º swivel seat of the Skogger improves visibility and manoeuvrability, allowing operators to navigate logging operations with ease. A reverse camera is available as an option to improve visibility when reversing. The ROPS/FOPS/OPS compliant operator cab further enhance safety and convenience for the operator.  

Two Sides has challenged more than 2,800 organisations found to be communicating greenwashing messages to their customers, resulting in more than 1,260 organisations removing or changing misleading anti-paper statements. Source: Timberbiz Founded in 2008, Two Sides is a not-for-profit, global initiative promoting the sustainable and attractive attributes of print, paper and paper packaging. The Two Sides campaign is a collaboration of companies from sectors including forestry, pulp and paper manufacturing, packaging, inks, pre-press, press, finishing, publishing, printing, envelopes and postal operators. Economic pressures continue to drive many cases of greenwashing with numerous organisations that have previously relied on paper for customer communication shifting their customers from traditional paper-based services to digital platforms to cut costs. This transition is often accompanied by misleading and unsubstantiated environmental marketing claims like “Go Green – Go Paperless” or “Choose e-billing and help save a tree,” but this is misleading and greenwashing. Consumer preferences are being ignored in the push to digital communications. Data from the 2023 Two Sides ‘Trend Tracker‘ report revealed that 55% of European consumers believe that companies’ environmental arguments for switching to digital are misleading and are primarily about reducing company costs. Additionally, the research shows that 76% of consumers want the option to choose and do not want to be forced over to digital communications. As corporate sustainability gains attention, other sectors like tissue and paper-based packaging are also facing greenwashing, with products being misleadingly marketed as more sustainable. These claims often cite various environmental reasons, such as the use of new or alternative fibre sources but are frequently unsubstantiated. “These greenwash claims not only breach established environmental marketing regulations but also harm an industry with a well-established and continually improving environmental track record. Far from ‘saving trees,’ a healthy market for forest products, such as paper, encourages the long-term growth of forests through sustainable forest management,” Two Sides Europe Managing Director Jonathan Tame said. “Many of the organisations we challenge are surprised to learn that European forests have actually been expanding by the equivalent of 1,500 football pitches every day.” Globally, Two Sides has engaged with more than 2,800 organisations making misleading claims about paper. In Europe alone, 811 companies, including South West Water, New Look, BMW Financial Services and Deutsche Bank, have removed or changed these statements. “It remains vital that these misleading messages are challenged to ensure that the industry’s great environmental record is acknowledged and to protect the livelihoods of thousands of people who work in the forest, paper, packaging and print sectors from the impact of opportunistic and deceptive greenwash marketing,” Mr Tame said. Two Sides estimates that the widespread influence of some of these organisations means unsubstantiated claims have a lasting negative impact on consumer perceptions of paper, posing a threat to a sector that supports over 640,000 jobs across more than 112,000 European businesses. The financial impact of greenwashing is also of global concern if these messages continue without challenge. Research conducted by Two Sides and Censuswide in 2021, found that in the European mailing and postal sector alone, greenwashing threatens the loss of €337 million of value annually to the industry. “We are grateful for the cooperation of the hundreds of organisations that have changed or eliminated greenwashing claims from their messaging, and we are also thankful for the many industry stakeholders and members of the public who send Two Sides examples of greenwash,” Mr Tame said. Two Sides operates throughout Europe, North America, South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Please send any instances of greenwash to greenwash@twosides.info

Amid towering trees of a Western Australian plantation, a rare Numbat scurries across the forest floor, its striped back blending with the shifting light. Nearby, a pair of Mallee Fowl tend to their nest, where newly hatched chicks are sheltered within a pile of logging residue. Source: Timberbiz These moments of life unfolding in PF Olsen Australia’s plantations exemplify the impact of FSC-certified responsible forestry. The Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus), an endangered species, and the Mallee Fowl (Leipoa ocellata), listed as vulnerable, have found refuge in the plantation forests managed by PF Olsen Australia (PFOA). The discovery of 14 individual Numbats on a single PFOA property and the successful nesting of Mallee Fowl in logging residue are both remarkable conservation successes, illustrating how sustainable forestry can support biodiversity. PF Olsen, established in New Zealand in 1971, achieved FSC Forest Management certification in 2002. In 2010, it expanded to Australia, where PF Olsen Australia (PFOA) obtained FSC certification in 2013. Today, PFOA manages approximately 156,000 hectares of plantation forests across five states, with a focus on responsible forest management and biodiversity protection. The plantations it manages were planted in the 1990s on land previously used for dryland agriculture, with patches of native vegetation scattered throughout the estate. While bird diversity is lower in plantations compared to adjacent state forests, the fragments of remnant native vegetation scattered across the estate support more diverse bird populations than the surrounding native forests. FSC certification has helped ensure that biodiversity in these landscapes is carefully monitored and preserved. Over the past decade, PF Olsen Australia has, for example, partnered with BirdLife Australia to monitor bird populations in plantations and document their proliferation in the remnants PFOA manages. “We are incredibly proud to have PF Olsen as part of the FSC-certified forestry community,” said Melanie Robertson, CEO of FSC Australia and New Zealand. “Their commitment to sustainable forest management exemplifies the critical role responsible forestry plays in preserving biodiversity.” PFOA’s commitment to biodiversity is driven by its 10-year Landscape Biodiversity Improvement Program and supported by investment manager New Forests’ focus on investing in forests for a climate and nature-positive future. PFOA’s program launched following recent changes in the status of the investment vehicle that owns the plantations. To develop the program, ABZECO conducted an independent review of data collected over the past decade in support of FSC certification. This review led to the identification of five key themes, each with associated objectives: Threatened species: Increase the security of the most threatened flora and fauna on the estate. High-quality ecosystems: Expand the area of high-quality ecosystems. Large old trees: Protect and secure large old trees throughout the asset. Remnant connectivity: Enhance connectivity between remnant native vegetation. Stakeholder partnerships: Strengthen relationships with reputable stakeholders. The progress toward these objectives is reported annually in PFOA’s Environment and Sustainability Report. Now entering its third year, the program encompasses more than 25 individual enhancement projects, including weed removal, fox and cat control, threatened species monitoring, and habitat restoration. PFOA collaborates with Natural Resource Management agencies and local universities to ensure the application of the best available knowledge and science. Key highlights of the program include: Identification of 14 individual Numbats on a single property in Western Australia. Observation of a Mallee Fowl pair establishing a nest in logging residue and successfully rearing two chicks. Creation of new wetland areas to support waterfowl. FSC certification has been instrumental in ensuring that PFOA carefully manages the environmental values within its forests. “FSC certification ensures we focus on preserving and enhancing the natural resources in the forests we manage,” said David Bennett, PFOA’s Risk and Compliance Manager. This also positions us to add value to plantation assets as Australia develops its Nature Repair Markets.” Through continued monitoring, collaboration with universities, and partnerships with Natural Resource Management agencies, PFOA ensures its conservation practices are informed by the latest scientific research. “As we look to the future, our goal is to create a landscape where native species thrive alongside sustainable forestry practices,” Mr Bennett said. “By working with experts and stakeholders, we are ensuring that our conservation efforts contribute to long-term ecological health.”

WoodSolutions hosted the 2024 Industry-Educator Workshop at the University of Tasmania’s Inveresk Campus bringing together more than 70 people engaged with the wood products sector from across Australia. Source: Timberbiz Participants spanned forestry, academia, timber production, and building design and construction, creating a diverse and collaborative environment. Over two days, attendees engaged in site visits, presentations, discussions, and networking activities, fostering connections across the entire timber supply chain. The workshop underscored the importance of strengthening ties between industry, academia, and building professionals to drive innovation and growth. “Our primary goals for this event are to build capacity within the sector by cultivating a supportive, collaborative community and to attract and retain new talent in the industry,” said WoodSolutions host and timber engineer Jon Shanks. “By aligning expertise and resources, the workshop showcased how the timber sector can achieve maximum impact together.” The workshop discussions emphasised the critical role of collaboration and community in achieving high-quality, impactful outcomes through meaningful research and development. Participants highlighted the value of leveraging collective expertise to address challenges and drive innovation across the timber industry. To enhance these connections, new tools will be developed to facilitate technical support and mentoring, creating stronger links between professionals across academia, design, and industry. The enduring importance of face-to-face engagement was a recurring theme, highlighting its role in fostering meaningful collaboration and trust. The workshop also acknowledged the timber sector’s deep and complex relationship with the broader community. Nurturing this connection is vital to ensuring the industry’s growth, sustainability, and alignment with societal needs. Dr Kyra Wood, Research Fellow in Timber Design & Products at the University of Tasmania’s Regional Research Collaboration Program and Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood, announced an exciting upcoming competition in collaboration with WoodSolutions, the University of Tasmania, and the University of Queensland. The competition is a national student design competition, culminating in the announcement of winners at the 2025 World Conference on Timber Engineering in Brisbane. The competition will focus on sustainable timber buildings for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics athletes’ village, designed for adaptability or repurposing post-Games, and will involve cross-university teams mentored by industry professionals. The competition invites expressions of interest from both industry and academia to join the steering committee, contribute as industry mentors, or assist in promoting the initiative to student networks. This collaborative effort aims to engage the next generation of talent while strengthening ties between the timber industry and academic institutions. If you are interested in contributing your time to support this exciting competition contact WoodSolutions at info@WoodSolutions.com.au

Scion has unveiled a NZ$3.6 million upgrade to its Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) lab, enhancing its capacity to support NZ’s broader innovative research requirements, particularly around supporting New Zealand’s forest-based bioeconomy. Source: Timberbiz The upgrade includes advanced new NMR instruments, allowing scientists to delve deeper into the nanostructure of trees and chemicals used in cosmetic or health products. Dr Stefan Hill, Portfolio Leader for High-Value Biorefineries at Scion, says the new instruments support the Crown Research Institute (CRI)’s forestry, bioeconomy and advanced manufacturing research and give industry and academia access to this technology. “The analyses we carry out here are essential for developing products to replace those made from fossil fuels,” he said. NMR technology is essential for understanding the structure of molecules. Scion, which focuses on supporting industries ranging from forestry to plastics to solve real-world problems, is the only CRI with NMR capability. It uses the technology to analyse samples of bio-based products and plant materials. Understanding the molecular composition of materials is fundamental to everything researchers do in chemistry, biotech and material science. Instruments called spectrometers are used to check the presence and function of additives, analyse feedstocks for manufacturing and investigate the authenticity and origin of naturally derived products. This non-destructive analytical technique can also underpin the development of sustainable products, including bio-based adhesives and plastics, bio-fuel research and new ingredients for cosmetics and nutriceuticals (food or parts of food that provide medical or health benefits). Scion’s upgraded lab includes 600 MHz solution-state and 500 MHz solid-state NMR instruments. The latter is New Zealand’s only dedicated solid-state instrument, including semi-solid-state materials. The advanced equipment features the latest generation of superconducting magnets, which provide superior sensitivity and resolution for more accurate test results. It also features a specialised probe to analyse complex, semi-solid and gel-like materials without altering their natural state – a first for Scion and the only one of its kind in New Zealand. Dr Hill says NMR tunes into different ‘frequencies’ of atoms in a molecule, much like tuning a radio to different stations. “Each frequency reveals specific information about the atom’s environment. By tuning into these frequencies, we can map out the entire molecular structure, learn how the molecule functions and how it can be used in new ways. “This upgrade positions us at the forefront of scientific innovation and ensures we can continue to meet the needs of our national and international collaborators,” Dr Hill said. Previous NMR instruments, installed in 1999, served their purpose but had reached the end of their operational life. Scion’s investment in state-of-the-art technology ensures its NMR capabilities are future-proofed for the next 25 years. The lab will also be cheaper to run as it will need fewer liquid helium refills (once a year instead of every two-and-a-half months). There will also be less downtime and maintenance. “We consciously invested in technology that ensures we are equipped to meet our current and future research needs and to consider what the wider NZ research landscape needs,” Dr Hill said. “It also complements NZ’s other commercial NMR lab at Callaghan Innovation, which can provide solution-state NMR capability. “It supports our research and strengthens the resilience of New Zealand’s broader science infrastructure.”

Wesbeam has won the Structural Building Products category and overall Supplier of the Year at the Bowens Supplier Awards in Melbourne. Source: Timberbiz These prestigious awards celebrate not just exceptional performance but also the dynamic partnership cultivated since 2017. Since this time, Wesbeam has worked tirelessly alongside the Bowens team, and by 2019 this strategic alliance saw Wesbeam honoured as Bowens’ Most Improved Supplier, laying the foundation for a thriving partnership. In early 2020, as the building industry faced unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Wesbeam stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Bowens. This collaboration led to Wesbeam being named the preferred supplier for Bowens entire network in July 2020, firmly establishing Wesbeam as a market leader in Victoria. Today, the relationship between Wesbeam and Bowens is a testament to the power of mutual growth and shared goals. Over the past four years, this partnership has continued to flourish, driven by a deep commitment to innovation, customer service, and operational excellence. “We are immensely proud to receive both awards in the Structural Building Products category, and Bowens overall Supplier of the Year,” said Peter Board, General Manager Sales and Marketing for Wesbeam. “This achievement is a reflection of the dedication and hard work of our Victorian team, supported by an outstanding network of Wesbeam colleagues across the country from customer service, logistics, engineering and manufacturing. It’s an honour to partner with Bowens to achieve shared success.”  

The NSW Nationals are calling on the Minns Labor Government to release all correspondence relating to the Great Koala National Park consultation process, after claims of serious conflicts of interest. Source: Timberbiz Unions have raised concerns the firm tasked by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to assess the park’s impact on timber jobs was also contracted by the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation to provide advice on ending the timber industry altogether. Nationals’ Leader Dugald Saunders said the allegations are extremely serious. “The Minns Labor Government made an election promise to deliver the Great Koala National Park while protecting the jobs of timber workers at the same time, but what we are seeing here is another example of someone cooking the books.” “Engaging Mandala Partners, an agency with a clear conflict of interest, tells me one thing – that the government was seeking a political outcome here rather than an environmental one.” Shadow Minister for the North Coast, Gurmesh Singh, said industry is rightfully worried about Mandala Partners’ involvement in this process. “This situation shows the government is trying to achieve a political outcome here, rather than an environmental one,” Mr Singh said. “The Minns Labor Government made a dual commitment before the election to deliver the Great Koala National Park while protecting the jobs of timber workers, but what we are seeing now is the complete opposite. “We also want to know how much Environment Minister Penny Sharpe knew about this. She needs to come clean and tell our communities how she has allowed this to happen on her watch.” Nationals Member for Clarence Richie Williamson said the flawed process is putting thousands of jobs at risk. “The hardwood industry is the backbone of the North Coast, supporting more than 5000 families, who can’t afford to let a skewed system take away their livelihoods,” Mr Williamson said. “On top of that we need to consider the impact the Great Koala National Park will have on the state’s crucial timber supply and the economic fallout for local sawmills and producers. “No timber means no paper, no power poles and no construction materials to build the homes we are desperate for in the middle of a housing shortage crisis.” Nationals Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said the government needs to provide clarity around the steps it has taken so far. “Everyone I have spoken to has told me this is an illegitimate process, and the Minns Government has stacked the cards from the very beginning by hand-picking the people involved,” Mr Kemp said. “There are serious questions around how Mandala Partners was chosen and also how it could be awarded a major government contract just months after it was formed. “It seems like a classic case of Labor looking after its mates instead of putting science and logic first.”

Forest & Wood Products Australia has released research which has significantly improved the accessibility and accuracy of wood quality information, providing softwood growers and processors across Australia with critical data to enhance their operations. Source: Timberbiz The research utilises Resi technology for early selection of harvest-age density and modulus of elasticity (MoE), allowing for precise predictions of wood properties and yield. The Resi technology, as discussed in the research, refers to a resistance drilling method used to assess wood properties, particularly in softwood plantations. It rapidly measures the resistance encountered when a drill bit penetrates the wood, which correlates with the wood’s density and stiffness of trees, logs and forest plots. The Resi tool is noted for its efficiency, being three times faster than other methods like the ST300 acoustic velocity measures, and it has been standardised for operational use across the industry to improve the accuracy and reliability of wood quality assessments. This project has underpinned a transformation in the easy access to information about wood quality for softwood growers and processors. Resi data from pre-harvest assessments has accurately predicted mill site-mean board stiffness in sawing studies across multiple sites in Australia. It’s now a routine tool for many companies. The project is strongly aligned with the FWPA Strategic Plan and the focus on improving the resource base, as well as increasing productivity and utilisation along the value chain. “I’m proud to have led a project that directly connects field-based log quality with the experiences of processors, delivering tangible benefits to the forest industry,” said Associate Professor David Lee from the University of the Sunshine Coast. The research showed that simulated mid-rotation Resi measurements can reliably estimate harvest age quality, aiding in informed decisions regarding rotation lengths. The study also addressed various sources of error between Resi instruments and techniques, establishing that these variances are negligible at a commercial scale, thereby fostering confidence in the consistency of Resi measurements. “This research can help us enhance our operations and planning. With improved predictive modelling, we can make informed decisions about longer term resource planning and better understand timber production outputs,” said Rebecca Cherry, Wood Quality Engineer at Hyne Timber. The key benefits for the industry include: Successful predictions of mill site-mean board stiffness across multiple locations, has improved wood flow between growers and processors and has the potential to inform favourable log pricing structures. Enhanced decision-making capabilities regarding rotation lengths, stocking, breeding objectives, and overall wood quality through predictive modelling. Adoption of over thirty Resi instruments by growers and processors for routine inventory and log supply management. Integration of wood quality predictions with yield estimates in YTGen software and enhancements to the Resi Processor software for better prediction of stiffness and density. Key findings from the project include: A confirmed relationship between pre-harvest measurements and mill production quality, demonstrating that Resi data can predict mill output at a compartment level. Enhanced understanding of radial and longitudinal variation in wood quality, allowing for tailored silvicultural practices. Development of improved algorithms incorporated into the new version of the Resi web trace processor, ensuring ongoing access to cutting-edge predictive models. Looking ahead, the project recommends that Resi technology be further utilised to strengthen grower-processor communication, optimising wood flow and enhancing the value of plantations. A deeper understanding of how site, climate, management, and genetics affect MoE and structural grade percentages will be pursued using extensive, estate-wide datasets. For more information and to download the project report, visit https://fwpa.com.au/report/assessing-managing-mid-rotation-wood-quality-in-australian-softwood-plantations/

REEF Research Foundation breathed a sigh of relief when Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Small Business the Hon Julie Collins MP said the native hardwood timber sector can continue in its current form. Source: Timberbiz The Minister provided the keynote address at the Australian Forestry Products Association quarterly dinner in Canberra in November where she stated the Albanese Labor Government is “committed to the current policy of native hardwood timber” The strong and reassuring comments were made moments before the Prime Minister’s Office withdrew the Nature Positive Bills being considered in the Senate. The Bills could have affected Forestry in terms of the continuation of Regional Forestry Agreements with respect to a Federal EPA and EPBC. This a welcome temporary reprieve. REEF Research Forestry Awareness Program chair Noel Atkins and its political advocate in Kurrajong Strategic Counsel director Adrian Dolahenty attended more than 70 political meetings in Canberra and Sydney in 2024, wrote dozens of letters to ministers, wrote a compelling Senate submission for the Nature Positive Bills that was well received by the Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Environment and Communications and organised a political site visit. “REEF Research made a significant contribution to get this result by focusing on the positive impact selective harvesting of native hardwood timber has on the environment. It was outstanding to hear the Minister support native hardwood timber,” Mr Atkins said. “We never diverted from strategically and tactically countering the erratic, emotional and misinformed allegations from well-meaning but ill-informed ideological activists. To paraphrase Sir Winston Churchill, this is not the end, this is not the beginning of the end, but this is perhaps the end of the beginning when it comes to protecting the native hardwood timber sector.” While in Canberra Mr Atkins provided a presentation to the AFPA Hardwood Chamber on REEF Research’s highly successful Forestry Awareness Program. REEF Research has produced media releases highlighting the sector’s commitment to the environment demystifying the effects on flora and fauna, countered claims about unproven carbon credits that would decimate the native hardwood industry in NSW and calling on the Federal Government to recognise current regulations in forestry. “With continued industry support, we will start 2025 by doubling down on our advocacy efforts to promote the environmental credibility of forestry management practices in the native hardwood industry. “We will continue to support the best industry outcome in NSW in relation to the establishment of the Great Koala National Park and sector security. The program’s success over the last 12 months is a credit to supporters and believers who have had faith in us, and I thank you for your support. Have a great break over the festive season and be ready for more challenges in 2025.”