Responsible Wood Matt de Jongh has spent a week in Western Australia which included the role of guest speaker at the Leschenhault Timber Industry Dinner at Bunbury.
Responsible Wood certified forests are sustainably managed and allow for positive biodiversity outcomes such as this Xanthorrhoea (Grass tree), that is several hundred years old, as described by Justine West of Forest Products Commission (WA) to Sustainability Manager, Matt de Jongh.
Mr de Jongh spoke about the Responsible Wood Forest certification scheme, sustainable forest management and active and adaptive forest management, including the importance of Traditional Owners and their culture and knowledge in forest management.
“I was made feel very welcome at the event and it was a privilege to speak and meet with so many people who are passionate about sustainable forest management, from a diverse range of backgrounds,” Mr de Jongh said.
He also spent time in Albany with PF Olsen (Aust) who have supported one of the recipients of the Responsible Wood Community Grants Program upgrade to the Denmark Wetland Centre and Farm Forestry Site at Denmark Agricultural College.
The project has allowed an upgrade to the wetland centre and farm forestry site, as well as increasing the awareness and understanding of farm forestry within the local community.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to meet with the recipients and see first-hand how the program is progressing,” Mr de Jongh said.
“The students were very enthusiastic about the results of the project and have a new appreciation of the value of trees on farms.”
In mid May, PF Olsen (Aus) became the first Responsible Wood certificate holder to be audited under the new AS / NZS 4708.
Audited by BSI Group, the Australia-NZ standard (AS / NZS 4708), along with the Australian standard for chain of custody for forest products (AS / NZS 4707) are key components of the RW certification scheme.
While in Bunbury Mr de Jongh held a workshop on the new updated and revised AS / NZS 4708:2021 Sustainable Forest Management Standard at Bunbury hosted by WA Plantation Resources Pty Ltd (WAPRES) and attended by the Responsible Wood Sustainable Forest Management and Chain of Custody certificate holders, including Leschenhault Catchment Council representatives.
In addition, Mr de Jongh visited sustainable native forests and pine plantations managed by Forest Products Commission (WA),
Mr de Jongh will continue to hold workshops throughout Australia and New Zealand over coming months.
PF Olsen (Aus), WA Plantation Resources Pty Ltd (WAPRES) and Forest Products Commission (WA) are all certified under AS / NZS 4708 – Sustainable Forest Management. This standard is used by Australian and New Zealand forest growers to make Responsible Wood and PEFC claims on forest and tree based products. Underpinning certification is a commitment by forest growers to the management and rejuvenation of forests.
Cover Photo: Forest Products Commission (WA) staff Jaron Creasey and Justine West showing Sustainability Manager Matt de Jongh a sustainably managed pine plantation.
