A tree plantation on the side of a hill.

A person in a black t-shirt smiling at the camera in front of a stack of wooden planks.

13 July 2023

CERES Fair Wood

CERES Fair Wood is building regenerative timber relationships.

CERES is Victoria's largest environmental education provider. Over its 40 year history, CERES has become tightly woven into the fabric of the local community of Melbourne's inner north and throughout the Victorian education sector. With over 250 employees working across 18 social enterprises CERES self-funds over 90% of its operations. CERES' operates an environmental education centre, community garden, urban farm and social enterprise hub that's spread across four locations linked by the Merri and Darebin Creeks on Wurundjeri Country.

Since its launch four years ago Fair Wood has been ethically sourcing farm forested timber for the building industry and trialling urban sawmilling in Melbourne. From its warehouse in Preston CERES Fair Wood offers locally sourced quality timber from sustainable sources, connecting small-scale growers and millers directly to builders, furniture makers and landscapers. They sell farm-forested, agroforestry and salvaged timber and are proud to share the source and history of every stick of timber they stock.

About the Project

We’re literally running out of timber. As logging exits depleted native forests we are importing timber cut from native forests of South East Asia, Northern Russia and South America. We know we need to grow more timber on our farms and in plantations, but we also need to manage our native and urban forests differently. Indigenous-owned and managed forests are more likely to be managed regeneratively and create local jobs. Meanwhile the demand for urban forestry services is taking off as State and local governments mandate the “highest and best use” of urban trees as part of an emerging circular economy.

In Nhulunbuy (NT), Cape York (QLD), Aurukun (QLD), Daylesford (VIC) and Yarram (VIC) Indigenous communities are establishing eco-forestry and salvage sawmilling operations to manage land and create employment. Meanwhile in cities there is a growing appreciation of urban forestry potential as a timber source. Both potential streams of timber require product development, reliable supply chain logistics and markets to sell into – these processes are all underpinned by strong working relationships. Sustainable Table is funding CERES Fair Wood to build lasting and fair business relationships in these emerging forestry sectors.