The Future of Sustainable Forestry

In the 1980s and 90s, the forestry industry was in a period of self-reflection. There were calls for increased credibility and sustainability. How can the industry raise the standards while still providing consumers with the wood products they’ve come to rely on?

As overharvesting occurred in the tropics at alarming rates, consumer awareness increased, and the desire for sustainable forestry was strong. Societal pressure mounted, and timber companies saw certification as a means to respond to the pressure, educate the public, and help gain a social license to operate. Initially, the industry created these organizations that certified itself; this begged the question, “Are they engaging in more sustainable forestry if they’re certifying themselves?” Since then, certification organizations have undergone a multitude of changes.

In 1941, America’s first tree farm was dedicated near Montesano, Washington, and the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) was established, making it the first forest certification system. According to the Forest History Society, ATFS “focused on fire prevention outreach and support for self-regulation on privately owned forestland.” In 1975, Hawaii certified two properties and became the 50^th state to join the ATFS. ATFS recognizes and validates family forest owners for their work and commitment to sustainable stewardship of their lands.

ATFS is joined by two other certification organizations, the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), launched in 1993, and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®), established in 1994. FSC® is a non-profit originally in a coalition with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and other environmental organizations. SFI® was originally established by the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) and then spun out as an independent organization. All three certification programs are voluntary and work to promote the sustainable management of forestland. Let’s take a closer look at each organization and the benefits of certification.

Although the concern for certification initially focused on tropical forests, it has since expanded to boreal and temperate forests. As such, SFI® operates in the U.S. and Canada with an independent 18-member board of directors (including our CEO, Brent Keefer), CEO, and staff members. The board has three different sectors, including the economic sector, the social sector, and the environmental sector. SFI®’s mission is “to advance sustainability through forest-focused collaboration.” Brent Keefer adds, “Forest certification standards continue to effectively advance sustainable and responsible forest management.” AFM’s Chris Eades, District Manager, oversees SFI® certification in the Pacific Northwest, and he adds, “There are environmentally rigorous standards and requirements, such as forest resilience (protecting from fire, insects, disease, etc.), forest health and productivity, and climate change impacts on forestlands. Foresters and land managers are ensuring that they’re not overcutting and impacting the needs of future generations.” In Eades’s area of operation (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana), he oversees SFI® group certification for nine clients/landowners. AFM also manages three additional clients in the West, each maintaining their own certificate.

FSC®’s mission is “to protect healthy, resilient forests for all, forever,” and “nurturing responsible forestry so forests and people can thrive.” FSC is a global organization that certifies forests based on criteria of environmental, social, and economic responsibility. It is governed by its international members, who apply and join one of three chambers: social, environmental, and economic. Their board of directors is made up of 12 individuals whom the FSC® General Assembly elects, and they guide and provide oversight in four-year terms.

In the United States and Central America, AFM manages over 5.6 million acres of timberland of which approximately 75% are under one of the certification systems. AFM manages approximately 600,000 acres in the Lake States. Notably, 370,000 acres of these extensive landholdings in the Lake States are dually certified under SFI® and FSC®. Brandon Bal, District Manager in the Lake States Region, says, “Ultimately, whether to pursue SFI® or FSC® certification depends on specific client goals, market dynamics, and the commitment to sustainable and responsible forestry practices. All three certification programs contribute to the global effort to promote environmentally friendly and socially responsible forestry practices.”

The certification programs have meticulous documentation that tracks forest fiber/forest-based content through the chain of custody. Mills and other producers of wood and fiber products implement management systems for the use of the certification logos. Similarly, manufacturers of finished goods can use certification logos on products, which signals to consumers that the wood was harvested with forest resilience and sustainability at the forefront. Third-party accredited auditors certify organizations to ensure all standards and regulations are followed. Organizations can also choose to certify a certain percentage of raw materials, and that output will be reflected on the certification label.

ATFS, SFI®, and FSC® guidelines work in tandem with other forest management guidelines depending on geographical location. For instance, guidelines in the West are often met through compliance with strict state forest practices laws. Compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act in the West is often met by adhering to state forestry regulations, habitat conservation plans, and safe harbor agreements.

Bal adds, “One of the pivotal guidelines embedded within our EMS (Environmental Management System) is our commitment to embracing and adhering to the voluntary Best Management Practices (BMPs) established in each state where we operate. Adhering to BMPs in forestry is integral to ensuring the success of forest operations while simultaneously safeguarding the health of soils and water resources. These BMPs serve as a set of guidelines and protocols designed to mitigate potential environmental impacts, promoting sustainable forestry practices.” As the past chair of the Michigan State SFI® Implementation Committee, Bal’s central focus was spearheading the delivery of logger training throughout the state. Their primary mission is to equip roughly 1,000 loggers annually with the knowledge and skills essential for responsible logging.

On the west coast in Washington, there is collaboration with federally recognized tribes, as they are comanagers of natural resources (primarily fish), and recent court decisions have expanded tribal reservation boundaries, fostered greater communications with tribes, and enhanced land management decisions.

For landowners who are interested in certification, there are numerous benefits to consider. In some cases, forest certification may allow for better access to log markets, particularly with the chain of custody requirements and markets for logs from sustainably managed lands. This may yield a higher purchase price in certain situations. Additionally, certified properties are more frequently involved with forestry research and tree improvement cooperatives, creating access to current forest research studies and findings that are beneficial when making management decisions, especially those pertaining to habitat management, water quality, growth and yield, forest inventory, and tree genetics. “An on-the-ground operations observation is the adherence to BMPs and safeguarding bodies of water on certified lands is a commitment not consistently implemented on non-certified lands. SFI® certification mandates loggers undergo training, underscoring a comprehensive dedication to responsible forestry in every aspect of wood production,” Bal adds.

Smaller private landowners do not need to be excluded from the certification process and can pursue a group certificate. The certificate is in AFM’s name, and staff manages the land to standards set forth by the certification organization. Group certification is a cost-effective option for smaller landowners to enjoy the benefits of SFI® or FSC®. If group certification is unavailable, ATFS certification is another option for small landowners to achieve certification, as discussed above. For landowners interested in learning more about forestry certification and sustainable forest management, reach out to us for a consultation.