As featured in Australian Forests and Timber – 15/12/2015, Melbourne
Responsible Wood has taken to the archives as it celebrates the 6th anniversary of this most prestigious prize.
AFTER A decade of reflections as a conservation planner seeing both sides of the forest debate, Marie Yee is firm in the belief “we can achieve peace in our forest and a sustainable forest industry that all members of the community are proud of”.
Marie, Forestry Tasmania’s (now Sustainable Timber Tasmania) Senior Conservation Planner, was the inaugural recipient of the highly prestigious Australian Forestry Standard’s (now Responsible Wood) Richard Stanton Memorial Trophy for Excellence in Forestry Management, Ross Garsden, Forest Management Systems Auditor with BSI, nominated Marie for her outstanding work in leading the development of the Landscape Context Planning System.
Simon Dorries, CEO of AFS; Kate Carnell AO, chair of AFS; Senator Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Forestry; Dr Marie Yee; and Sonia Stanton (wife of the late Richard Stanton)
“Through my work I am in a privileged position to witness the innovation and creativity being displayed by many of Australia’s larger forestry organisations, as they come to grips with the complex issues involved in sustainable forest management,” said Mr Garsden.
“It’s exciting to see how Australia’s forest managers are forging ahead with the development of a range of new technologies aimed at improving forest management and this award is worthy acknowledgement.
“The Landscape Context Planning System developed by Marie and her team at Forestry Tasmania is clearly a game-changer for sustainable forest management in Australia and further afield.”
In presenting the award, Federal Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston said Dr Yee embodied the ideals of sustainable forest management which promoted community acceptance for forest products and underpinned demand.
“People like Dr Yee demonstrate that the future of the industry is in good hands—her work not only demonstrates innovation and excellence but she also becomes a voice for spreading the message of sustainability and the value of forest certification.”
The general manager, forest management, Forestry Tasmania (now Sustainable Timber Tasmania), Suzette Weeding, said she was very proud that Marie had been recognised in her leading role in the development of Forestry Tasmania’s Landscape Context Planning System. “The system enables a systematic planning and management approach which incorporates the principles of landscape ecology into forest management.”
AFS (now Responsible Wood) Chief Executive Officer Simon Dorries said Dr Yee’s win was considered a “nourishing award”, recognising the work of young people in taking responsibility for carrying forward the forest industry’s message of sustainability and the value of forest certification. The trophy and award recognise the life of Richard Stanton, who was devoted to the forest industry in Australia and internationally. Mr Stanton was CEO of the Australian Forestry Standard when he was tragically killed in a bicycle accident in Canberra earlier this year. He was 49.
Nominations for the 2020 Richard Stanton Memorial Trophy 5pm, Friday the 2nd of October 2020. For more information about the Richard Stanton Memorial Trophy please visit the Responsible Wood website.
