Monitoring biodiversity in Responsible Wood–certified forests

Monitoring biodiversity in Responsible Wood–certified forests

Uncategorized

Biodiversity plays a vital role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. Monitoring species, habitats and ecological conditions helps forest managers understand forest health and adapt management practices over time. Under the AS/NZS 4708 Sustainable Forest Management Standard, Responsible Wood–certified forest managers must identify, protect and monitor environmental values across the forests they manage, including biodiversity and habitat for native species, from…

AS/NZS 4708 Sustainable Forest Management Standard - Review update

AS/NZS 4708 Sustainable Forest Management Standard review underway

Standards

The review of the AS/NZS 4708 Sustainable Forest Management Standard is progressing well, with the Significant Biodiversity and Indigenous Working Groups recently meeting to map key information and next steps. The Significant Biodiversity Working Group confirmed key definitions and ensured the Standard’s performance requirements remain aligned with the purpose of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and consistent with…

The role of Responsible Wood in Forest Management and Chain of Custody Certification

The role of Responsible Wood in Forest Management and Chain of Custody Certification

Choose Certified

With a growing awareness of and appreciation for sustainably sourced timber across the broader community, we wanted to take a moment to reintroduce ourselves, and the work we do. Responsible Wood is Australia’s national forest certification scheme, providing assurance that forest and wood-based products are sourced from sustainably managed forests and responsibly managed supply chains. Through forest management and chain…

International Day of Forests 2026 banner artwork

International Day of Forests 2026

News

On Saturday 21 March, we marked the International Day of Forests. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, the day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. In 2026, the UN established ‘forests and economies’ as the annual theme, recognising the essential role forests play in driving economic prosperity. That role goes well…

Sydney Build Expo 2026

Responsible Wood presenting at Sydney Build Expo

Uncategorized

Join us at Sydney Build Expo 2026 on 29-30 April, a free event that will bring together 700+ exhibitors, 750+ speakers and 16 CPD-accredited conference stages. Showcasing Australia’s latest projects, technologies and solutions from across the entire construction and design ecosystem, including dedicated Government and Architecture hubs, the Sydney Build Expo has something for everyone, from contractors, architects, civil engineers,…

Students at Ryde Secondary College in Sydney recently explored the science, values and career pathways behind sustainable forest management

Inspiring the next generation: Exploring sustainable forest management at Ryde Secondary College

Events

Students at Ryde Secondary College in Sydney recently explored the science, values and career pathways behind sustainable forest management during a visit from Matt de Jongh of Responsible Wood and Beth Welden from ForestLearning. The session examined how environmental processes and interconnections – from climate, soil and water systems to biodiversity and carbon cycles – influence the way forests are…

Sustainability by design

Sustainability by design: Certified timber in the built environment

Choose Certified, Events

Last week, Responsible Wood CEO Simon Dorries joined Timber Queensland’s webinar Sustainability by Design: The Impact of Certified Timber in the Built Environment, speaking to an audience of more than 300 built environment professionals about the role they play in ensuring timber used in construction is responsibly sourced. Certification underpins trust across the timber supply chain, providing independent verification that…

Image: Why choosing certified matters

Why Choosing Certified matters

Choose Certified

In a world increasingly conscious of environmental impact, the materials we choose matter more than ever to consumers and for meeting performance requirements under frameworks such as NatHERS, Green Star and other sustainability benchmarks. As expectations rise around energy efficiency, carbon outcomes and responsible sourcing, material selection plays a growing role in demonstrating compliance and ethical choices while delivering durable,…

Responsible Wood recognises former Board members

News

Last week, the Responsible Wood Board met for its first strategic planning session of 2026 in Brisbane. During the two-day congregation, Board Chair Dr Tony Bartlett recognised former Board Chair Dr Hans Drielsma AM with the inaugural Responsible Wood Life Membership. The award acknowledged his tireless contribution to the organisation (spanning more than 20 years), a distinguished career in the…

Sustainable Forest Management Standard review underway

Standards

The review of the AS/NZS 4708 Sustainable Forest Management Standard is underway, with the Standards Reference Committee recently convening for its launch meeting. Held across two days both online and at Responsible Wood’s Brisbane headquarters, the meeting brought together 19 representatives from forest management, wood processing, the scientific community, environmental representatives, worker representatives and government from across Australia and New…