Nominations for this year’s Richard Stanton award are open with Responsible Wood, the managers of the Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management, accepting applications for leaders who contribute to improving certification across Australia’s forests. Established in 2015, the Richard Stanton Award is a tribute to the enduring legacy of the late Richard Stanton. It recognises individuals who have made significant strides in Forest Management or Chain of Custody Certification within the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme.
“The award is open to all individuals contributing to Sustainable Forest Management under AS/NZS 4708 or Chain of Custody under AS 4707 or PEFC ST 2002,” according to Responsible Wood, which until June 30 is now welcoming applications from a diverse range of backgrounds, including certified forest owners and managers, chain of custody certificate holders, certification bodies, forest scientists, builders and designers.
“Since 2024, the award has extended its eligibility to early-career professionals in forestry, environmental science, wood technologies, and design and university students pursuing relevant studies, including those completing post-graduate degrees,” Responsible Wood said.
One of Australia’s rising forest leaders, who is now working with South Australian First Nations peoples to provide communities access to native trees to make canoes, coolamons, and shields, is Monique Blason, who was last year awarded the Richard Stanton Award at the Forestry Australia symposium.
Presented by Simon Dorries, Responsible Wood’s CEO, and Dr Tony Bartlett, Chair of Responsible Wood, Monique Blason, ForestrySA’s General Manager for Community Services, was awarded the trophy, handcrafted by Wood Connect chain of custody member George Harris: “Monique has also shown exceptional commitment to cultural heritage by working closely with local First Nations groups,” Mr Dorries said, adding that “her efforts in this area highlight her deep respect and understanding of the multifaceted role forests play in our society.”
Ms Dawson manages a ForestrySA team that manages over 16,000 hectares of Proclaimed Native Forest Reserves and supports conservation and recreational activities across approximately 10,000 hectares of commercial pine plantations in the Adelaide Hills: “Under her guidance, ForestrySA’s forests have a sustainability leader, offering a range of ecosystem services, including biodiversity conservation and recreational opportunities for their local communities,” Mr Dorries said. “One of Monique’s standout achievements is the development of the Ramseys/Fox Creek, Mt Crawford mountain bike park—a facility that not only meets the highest standards of recreational development but also supports biodiversity through thoughtful amenity planting.”
- For more information about the Richard Stanton Award, visit Responsible Wood’s website.
