Inspiring projects and community impact a highlight for Responsible Wood 2025 Community Grant applications

Applications for Responsible Wood’s 2025 Community Grants have now closed – and the calibre and community impact reflected in this year’s submissions is exceptional.

Across Australia, community groups, environmental organisations and volunteer networks have shared projects that demonstrate just how deeply people value their local forests and sustainably sourced timber.

This year’s applications span a broad range of ideas and outcomes, from interpretive forest signage and nature-based play spaces to Indigenous-led restoration, community-led ecological surveys, habitat protection, trailers for collecting fallen timber for repurposing in community initiatives, skills development and youth programs grounded in forest connection, to name just a few.

Responsible Wood’s Community Grants Program was created to support projects that celebrate and strengthen the link between certified forests and the people who rely on them, meeting needs like recreation, learning, wellbeing and culture.

For example, one of last year’s deserving recipients, Heritage Skills Association and the Ludlow Tuart Forrest Restoration Group, the team behind Ludlow Tuart Forest – Teacher Cottage Restoration, has put their grant funding to excellent use. Their Responsible Wood Community Grant supported the purchase of timber for new weatherboards and jarrah flooring – key materials in returning the historic cottage to its original character. The house has now been squared up, re-stumped and prepared for extensive timber restoration for the next phase of work.

The project serves to both restore the cottage for use by the community, telling the story of Ludlow as a forest settlement; and provided a vocational rehabilitation opportunity for low-security residents at the local Bunbury prison to upskill in heritage trades.