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A team developing an aerospace and environmental project based in Montreal is currently working at the Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base, testing its technology. Source: CTV News The SAFARI-APEX project team from Montreal’s École de technologie supérieure has developed a prototype that uses cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor forests from above. The system is designed to spot conditions that could make an area more vulnerable to fire before one actually starts. “We are trying to just map all the forest and with this, we would be able to predict the risk of a fire happening in those areas,” said Serguei Markov, an IT engineer and one of the people behind the project. Markov said the system analyses factors such as vegetation, soil and humidity, information that could help focus fire prevention efforts where the risk is highest. “If we see that our risk is really high in this area, we could send a team over there, trying to cut some trees, maybe trying to diversify the type of plantation in those areas,” he said. A prototype, called Borealis, was sent into the atmosphere on a Canadian Space Agency stratospheric balloon in Timmins. The team plans to continue testing the technology, with the goal of getting this vital information to emergency services faster. Alex Vaillancourt, another member of the SAFARI-APEX team, said the project is also about young people taking on a problem that could affect future generations. “We kind of want to put the youth up front for a problem that is concerning us and our children and grandchildren,” Vaillancourt said. “Just to make a difference in what seems to be a super imminent threat.” The team has already won an Innovation in Research Award and was a finalist in the University Programs category of the Space Tech Challenge in California. The team hopes this is just the beginning.

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Logset Oy has a series of new products and upgrades across its harvesting range. The new Harvester 4.0 and the new generation of two-roller harvester heads and transmission upgrades bring improvements in operator comfort, serviceability, machine performance and harvesting technology. Source: Timberbiz The new products will be at FinnMETKO 2026 in Jämsä, Finland, from September 3–5. Customers, contractors and forestry professionals will have the opportunity to discover the latest Logset developments at stand 76. These developments are the result of Logset’s ongoing cooperation with operators, customers and its international dealer network. Feedback continues to play an important role in product development, from the operator’s working environment and machine serviceability to performance and harvester head technology. With Harvester 4.0, Logset introduces a completely renewed harvester cabin, designed around one of the most important factors in professional forestry: the operator. Larger front and side windows provide improved visibility of the working area and the surroundings of the machine. The redesigned cabin also offers more space for a passenger, increased storage capacity and improved integration of frequently used equipment. The new cabin concept includes integrated optional solutions for equipment such as an electronic measuring calliper, food heater and refrigerator, creating a more practical and comfortable working environment. Other new options include a heated windscreen and smooth HiFi, with a subwoofer and multiple speakers. The radio controls have also been upgraded for easier use. A significant reduction in cabin noise further improves operator comfort. A quieter working environment helps reduce fatigue during shifts and supports concentration throughout the day, which result in higher productivity. The interior has also been upgraded with a higher level of finishing and a more refined overall design. At the same time, materials and surfaces have been selected for the realities of forestry work, making the cabin easier to clean and maintain. Increased air-conditioning capacity provides better climate control in challenging working conditions. The new Smooth Ride option further enhances operator comfort by reducing vibrations generated during crane and harvester head operation, as well as the effects of machine movement. The result is a smoother working environment throughout the harvesting cycle. The technology has already proven its reliability over several years on Logset forwarders and is now available for Logset harvesters. The Harvester 4.0 generation also introduces a new electrical architecture across the machine. The redesigned system improves serviceability and provides easier access to the engine and other key components. Increased CAN communication capacity also provides a foundation for future functions and reliable machine operation. Cooling capacity has been increased by 15%, supporting reliable operation and machine performance in challenging working conditions. The Harvester 4.0 generation also introduces a new electrical architecture across the machine. The redesigned system improves serviceability and provides easier access to the engine and other key components. Increased CAN communication capacity also provides a foundation for future functions and reliable machine operation. Cooling capacity has been increased by 15%, supporting reliable operation and machine performance in challenging working conditions. The two-roller feeding concept combines a compact design with straightforward construction. The compact dimensions help keep the head agile and easy to handle, while the simplified structure supports reliability and ease of maintenance. Selected models also feature dual-speed feeding, allowing higher feeding speeds within an optimised diameter range to support productivity. The new generation harvester heads are now available with 360 rotator as an option. The 360 rotator is provided by Black Bruin and is fully integrated in the tilt arch with optimised hose routing. The 360 rotator is mainly intended for loose heads in processor use but is also available together with Logset harvesters. Alongside the new product launches, Logset continues to develop its existing machine range. The latest drivetrain upgrades are designed to increase transmission capacity, durability and performance. The transmission system receives a significant upgrade with a new heavy-duty (HD) differential combined with a revised transmission ratio. The new configuration increases transmission power capacity and will be introduced on 4F GT to 8F GT forwarders and 6HP to 8H GTE Hybrid harvesters. The 6F GT and 8F GT also receive a larger drive pump. The increased pump capacity complements the drivetrain upgrades and provides improved driving performance for demanding forestry operations. These upgrades reflect Logset’s approach to continuous product development: introducing new technologies while continuing to improve the performance, reliability and efficiency of the existing machine range.

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British Columbia’s forestry industry expects it will be one of the hardest-hit sectors by the United States’ new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods. Source: CBC https://www.cbc.ca/ BC is the largest producer of lumber in Canada, and the industry plays a large role in the province’s economy. Most wood and forest products exported by B.C. are sold to the US, valued at about CAN$6.7 billion by the provincial government in 2024. “This is clearly an attack on Canada,” said Derek Nighbor, president of the Forest Products Association of Canada. Nighbor said the most recent trade action by the US government captures more than CAN$4 billion in Canadian lumber products that include not only raw materials, but also value-added and processed goods like fibreboard, particleboard, paper packaging, and wood moulding products. “We have billions of dollars worth of product that are caught up in this. We’re among the hardest-hit [industries],” said Nighbor. “It makes buying from Canada more expensive for American consumers.” He said the new tariffs come in addition to existing duties and tariffs, which have already weakened the softwood lumber industry. More than 20 mills have closed across BC since 2023, with three ending operations in just the last month. David Elstone, a strategic advisor to the forestry industry, said the trade negotiations that fell apart between Canada and the US come at a very tough time. “Unequivocally, this is the worst, absolutely worst situation we’ve ever been in,” said Elstone. Kim Haakstad, CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries, said the lumber industry as a whole is deeply invested in developing international markets and relationships overseas, but cannot compete on a global stage. “[What] we’re hearing is that Canadian products are getting a bit more expensive than some of our global competitors,” said Haakstad. She said the high cost of Canadian lumber is driven by both federal and provincial harvesting regulations, which drive up the cost to harvest and make it difficult to diversify to markets beyond the United States. Haakstad said the additional tariffs are going to make it even more difficult for the forestry and lumber industries, and that while she expects job losses as a result of the trade war, she hopes to prevent it. On Saturday, after he suspended trade talks with the US, Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a speech that the decades-long process of increasing integration and collaboration between the Canadian and American economies was over. On Monday, he said Canada will return to the negotiating table when the US shows the “right attitude” and treats the country as a sovereign nation.

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The Tasmanian Government has released its nation-leading Modular Housing Finance Guarantee legislation for public consultation. The scheme will guarantee construction loans while homes are being built off-site, where limited collateral has historically restricted lending. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the government is removing one of the biggest barriers to faster, more affordable housing with a nation-leading Finance Guarantee. “The draft Modular Housing Finance Guarantee Bill 2026 sets out the framework to partner with banks to unlock finance for modular homes during the construction phase, where traditional lending models fall short,” Mr Rockliff said. “Modular homes can be built in months, not years, and this reform ensures financing keeps pace with that innovation.” Treasurer Eric Abetz said the Government’s guarantee will reduce as construction progresses and cease once homes are installed and become standard mortgage security. “By addressing the financing gap, the initiative will accelerate housing supply, lower upfront costs, and improve access for first-home buyers,” the Treasurer said. “As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we are making targeted investments to deliver more homes across the State. “We will continue to work with industry and lenders as we progress the legislation.” Consultation will close on September 4.

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Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has launched a new industry research archive – the largest collection of research reports spanning the last two decades bringing together decades of valuable research to make it easier for the forest and wood products sector to access and apply knowledge that drives innovation. Source: Timberbiz The FWPA Industry Research Archive represents the largest collection of industry research spanning the last two decades. It consolidates hundreds of reports, technical papers and findings into one central, searchable platform, streamlining access to information, and ensuring research investments continue to deliver value long after publication. Phase one The first phase of the project brings together more than 40 research reports from the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI) and combines them with FWPA’s existing research. The result is a collection of more than 350 reports, making it by far the most comprehensive industry knowledge base in Australia. FWPA CEO Andrew Leighton said the initiative reflects FWPA’s ongoing role in supporting evidence-based decision-making and driving collaboration across the sector. “FWPA’s role as the enduring organisation supporting the forestry and wood products sector places us in the best position to serve as custodian of these outputs,” Mr Leighton said. “This initiative will help industry partners make better-informed decisions, accelerate innovation, and make past research outputs easier to find and adopt.” The new platform has been designed with usability and longevity in mind. Its advanced search and filtering tools make it easy to locate relevant information, while reports are categorised by topic, date, and research theme. Long-term archival functions ensure valuable data is preserved and accessible well into the future. FWPA’s Head of Research, Development and Extension, Ian Blanden, said the resource will help researchers and industry stakeholders work more strategically. “By consolidating decades of research in one place, we’re helping people find what’s already been done, identify knowledge gaps and focus new investment where it’s most needed,” Mr Blanden said. “It’s about making the most of the work that’s come before to deliver real outcomes for the industry.” Phase two The next phase of the project will see the addition of more than 120 completed reports from Australia’s Regional Forestry Hubs and the integration of AI technology to support data mining and deeper analysis. These enhancements will allow users to uncover insights into both research gaps and areas where existing knowledge can be rapidly applied. By centralising access to research outputs, FWPA is helping the sector harness its collective knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and continue building a sustainable future for Australia’s forest and wood products sector. The FWPA Industry Research Archive is now live and can be accessed via National Institute for Forest Products Innovation – Forest & Wood Products Australia. https://fwpa.com.au/resources-hub/nifpi-reports/

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New Zealand’s forest owners spent almost NZ$4 million controlling more than 160,000 pest animals across 1.4 million hectares of plantation forest in 2025, with pest-control activity reported across 77% of the national forest estate, according to a new survey. Source: Timberbiz The New Zealand Forest Owners Association says the sector’s contribution is often overlooked in the national debate about who is responsible for controlling pests across private land. The survey comes as Federated Farmers calls for greater responsibility from forestry and other land managers, identifying neighbouring forestry and Crown land among sources of pest reinvasion onto farms. NZFOA chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says forest owners already take a proactive role in tackling pests that affect both production forests and the wider environment. “These figures show forest owners’ significant investment in reducing pest pressure, often in places where neighbouring farms, waterways, reserves and native bush also benefit,” Dr Heeg said. “Pest control at this scale not only protects forests, but reduces pressure on native vegetation, wildlife and adjacent land.” The survey found larger forestry companies spent almost NZ$4 million on pest animal control during 2025. Possums made up the largest recorded group, with nearly 90,000 controlled during 2025. The survey also recorded nearly 30,000 goats, 15,000 pigs and 11,000 deer, alongside 17,000 rats, mustelids, chamois and other pests. Deer, goats and other browsing animals can damage plantation forests – particularly young trees – affecting tree establishment and growth; while pests such as possums, rats and mustelids can also affect native wildlife and vegetation within and around plantation forests. Smaller-scale forest owners, including farm foresters and woodlot owners, are likely to add further to the overall figures, with the survey not fully capturing the contribution of this group. The survey findings therefore likely understate the forestry sector’s overall pest-control effort and investment, as well as in-kind contributions. NZFOA environment manager Rachel Millar says pest control cannot be treated as an isolated property-by-property problem. “Pests don’t recognise property boundaries, so neither should pest control,” Ms Millar said. “Forest owners are already doing substantial work, but there is an opportunity to make that work more effective by coordinating it across neighbouring properties and the wider landscape. “This new data provides forest owners a better way to track progress, identify gaps and work more closely with councils, neighbours, contractors, hunting clubs and conservation groups.” Hunting is another significant part of pest control in forests, with forestry companies issuing more than 8000 hunting permits during 2025, according to the survey. “Managed hunting access is an important part of pest control on forestry land,” Dr Heeg said. “When it’s well managed, hunting gives companies a practical way to reduce pest numbers while keeping people safe around forestry operations.” Better coordination between forest owners, farmers, councils, conservation groups, hunting organisations and other land managers could help prevent pests simply moving from one controlled area into another. “Forestry companies are already investing millions of dollars and putting substantial resources into pest control,” Dr Heeg said. “The next step is making sure that effort connects with what is happening on neighbouring land.” The survey provides a clearer picture of forestry’s contribution to national pest-control efforts, but Dr Heeg says this is only one component of a much larger landscape issue requiring collective attention. “Forest owners are already doing their part. The challenge now is to make pest control more coordinated across the landscape, so that the work being done on one property isn’t undermined by reinvasion from another,” she said.

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OneFortyOne’s 2026 planting season has wrapped up, marking the start of the next generation of forests across the Green Triangle. Source: Timberbiz Supported by favourable seasonal rainfall, the Glencoe Nursery dispatched almost 6.5million seedlings to forest growers across the region, including OneFortyOne’s own estate. Estate manager Marcel Griffiths said the planting operation was bigger than ever, with five planting crews working across 45 days, reestablishing 3,143 hectares of land – including OneFortyOne’s recently acquired Limestone Estate in South Western Victoria. “This year we sent 2,635,200 seedlings across the border to re-establish parts of Limestone Estate,” Mr Griffiths said. “This established new radiata pine forests across 1,470 hectares of the estate.” Nursery manager Craig Torney said the busy season needed a team effort across the supply chain. “What stood out this season was the great communication across the entire process, from the Glencoe Nursery team through to delivery drivers and planting contractors,” Craig said. “It’s always rewarding to see the nursery alive with action, and everyone working together and powering through another season.” The nursery delivered a total of 6,467,500 seedlings, of which 5,597,855 were planted in OneFortyOne forests. “The team did an amazing job coordinating an already full schedule while bringing Limestone Estate into the planting program,” Mr Griffiths said. “Their professionalism and commitment ensured a safe and efficient operation and laid the foundations for the next generation of forests.”

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Timber NSW is calling on the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation to release details of its latest marketing campaign including the opening statement, full list of questions, sample size, and margin of error from its latest push-polling effort to end timber harvesting in NSW. Source: Timberbiz About Regional, a widely read online news source, reports that Ken Henry’s Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation commissioned a poll which apparently suggests overwhelming support among South Coast voters for converting state forests into national parks and significant support for ending native forest logging in the region. The Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation says polling found 67% of NSW voters would support the creation of large, protected areas like the Great Southern Forest National Park proposal. The foundation says that for residents of the South Coast electorate, this number jumped to 72%, while 63% of voters in Bega supported the proposal. And it says the pollsters found the support held fairly strong across party lines. According to Timber NSW Chief Executive Maree McCaskill, the published headline figures could not be judged as reliable measures of informed support for the park proposal. “This was nothing more than a push poll to support Ken Henry’s campaign to destroy the timber industry in Australia,” Ms McCaskill said. “The skewed polling was released by the National Parks Association to further muddy the waters as to the true intention of this campaign in which respondents were asked about large new protected areas without being given a detailed description of the boundaries, effects on forestry or park-access. “An enormous amount of what we do is trying to educate people about forestry. Our job is made much harder when we have to counter the false narratives perpetrated by people and organisations trying to ruin Australian industry by disguising their intent and wilfully ignoring hard facts and proven statistics,” she said. “The obsession with destroying the timber industry in Australia has already led to bizarre outcomes – Australia now relies on imported hardwood from questionable sources. This includes Merbau, a listed threatened species imported from unregulated forestry operations across Asia.” Timber NSW says some other information some commentators and numerous politicians ignore is: 90% of publicly owned forests are already in national parks and conservation reserves in NSW (nearly 8M ha) State forests cost less than a tenth of the cost of managing National Parks State forests contribute to an industry that generates $1.1b annually in value added to the NSW economy. State forests that have been well managed for timber over 100 years remain full of native species.

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PEFC is strengthening its presence in New Zealand, with a refreshed national governing body, a new board representing experience from across the forestry and timber supply chain, and a clear ambition to grow certification in step with the markets it serves. Source: Timberbiz Formerly the New Zealand Forest Certification Association, PEFC’s national member has been renewed and revitalised as PEFC New Zealand. The renewal was launched publicly at the New Zealand Timber Design Awards in Auckland in June, bringing the announcement to an audience of designers, engineers, manufacturers and forest owners. It marked not just a change of name, but a signal of intent: to strengthen PEFC’s presence in New Zealand, grow certification and continue adapting the PEFC approach to the country’s needs. Chaired by Mark Ross, the new board brings together experience from across New Zealand’s forestry and timber supply chain. Its early priorities are already clear. “One of PEFC New Zealand’s first priorities is supporting the current revision of the Australian/New Zealand Sustainable Forest Management Standard,” said Mr Ross. PEFC New Zealand’s renewal is a living example of the PEFC approach: national systems, built and governed locally, endorsed against shared PEFC’s international Sustainability Benchmarks rather than imposed from the top down. It is a model designed to fit each country’s own forests, ownership structures and communities, and to evolve as those needs evolve. Central to New Zealand’s next chapter is its trans-Tasman partnership. “As part of the global PEFC alliance, PEFC New Zealand is working closely with Responsible Wood, the PEFC member for Australia, which continues to provide technical and administrative support as the New Zealand scheme grows,” said PEFC South Pacific Programme Manager, Richard Laity. “By drawing on shared experience across the Tasman, we are helping ensure the scheme remains credible, cost-effective and fit for purpose, while meeting the needs of both New Zealand businesses and their customers.” New Zealand’s renewal comes as businesses and specifiers face growing expectations for transparency about the sourcing of forest and tree-based materials. Architects, specifiers and buyers are increasingly looking for credible information and independent assurance to support responsible sourcing decisions. PEFC certification can help respond to this demand by providing independently verified assurance of responsible forest management and traceability of forest and tree-based materials through the supply chain. PEFC New Zealand’s renewal offers a useful reference point for other national members navigating change. It shows how renewed governance, stronger market focus and collaboration across the PEFC Alliance can help a national member prepare for its next stage of development, while remaining firmly rooted in local context.

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A new Senate Committee report highlighting the need for stronger action and tougher reforms to prevent Russian timber products entering Australia has been welcomed by AFPA. Source: Timberbiz The Senate report featured strong recommendations to combat conflict timber entering Australia, including urging the Federal Government to explore tighter sanctions against Russia and ensure penalties evolve with global developments to keep pace with circumvention efforts. AFPA Acting CEO Richard Hyett said sanctions had stopped direct imports from Russia but there has been increased timber imports from third countries known to be using Russian fibre. “Russia has the largest forest estate in the world, and timber is an important economic driver, so it beggars’ belief that a resource of this scale could simply be turned off and replaced by other sources,” Mr Hyett said. Mr Hyett said recent forensic testing by Source Certain continued to identify Russian fibre in timber products around the world, often with documentation that mislabelled or misrepresented the product’s origin. “Addressing this imports issue is vital for Australia’s $6 billion timber manufacturing industry, which supports around 80,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs and supplies essential materials for hundreds of thousands of Australian homes every day,” Mr Hyett said. Mr Hyett said stronger testing and enforcement was also needed to protect Australian jobs, manufacturers and consumers while ensuring sanctions against Russian timber were genuinely effective. “It’s time for the Government to act and implement a testing program that can tell Australians what is actually being imported, and not just rely on paperwork from high-risk importers,” Mr Hyett said. “We also need to introduce Country of Origin labelling. “As part of the Senate inquiry, we sincerely thank Senator Raff Ciccone for his support by encouraging producers to seek an Anti-Dumping Commission investigation into Russian timber entering Australian markets.  We appreciate Senator Ross Cadell and Senator Susan McDonald for supporting industry and raising serious concerns about the lack of policing of timber imports. “Enforcing stronger sanctions will ultimately support Australian manufacturers, uphold our international commitments and ensure a level playing field for domestic producers.”

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