Four community groups across Australia have received a share of $40,000 in funding through the latest round of the Responsible Wood Community Grants Program.
Now in its fifth year, the program has engaged with more than 100 community groups connected to Responsible Wood certified forests across Australia. The grants support forest-based projects that provide environmental, social, and cultural benefits by fostering relationships between forest owners and local communities.
A Record Year for Applications
According to Jason Ross, Responsible Wood’s Community Grants Project Manager for 2024/25, this year saw a record number of 25 applications.
“Without a doubt, this year’s applicant process was the most competitive in the history of the grants, with the total value of applications exceeding $300,000,” Mr Ross said.
“The judging panel had its work cut out deciding on the best projects. Interestingly, and for the first time, the vast majority of projects were co-funded, allowing us to engage with initiatives on a much larger scale than in previous years.”
Mr Ross, who played a key role in establishing the program as Responsible Wood’s former Marketing and Communications Officer, said it is clear that the initiative is growing from strength to strength.
“You only have to look at the balance and quality of applications that Responsible Wood is now receiving from community groups across certified forests,” he said.
“For the first three years, the challenge was finding high-quality applications. Now, given the calibre of submissions, I do not envy the judges. The next challenge is to build on the success of the first five years and continue strengthening connections with community groups.”
Meet the 2024 Grant Recipients
The four funded projects for 2024 include:
- Heritage Skills Association – Restoration of the Ludlow Tuart Forest Teachers Cottage (Collie, Western Australia)
- Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation – Mt Burr Rock Shelter (Compton, South Australia)
- Bruny Island Environment Network Inc – Enhancing foraging options for swift parrots on Bruny Island (Barnes Bay, Tasmania)
- Planting Seeds – Topping it off – Habitats for Pollinators (Across New South Wales)
Mr Ross noted that each project strengthens community connections with forests, providing better access, education, and conservation outcomes.
“Each of these projects provides Australian communities with better access to forests and opportunities for people to connect through planning, completing, and benefiting from local projects,” he said.
Responsible Wood will showcase the impact of these projects in the coming months, highlighting the tangible benefits of community-led initiatives in certified forests.
