December 2008
FSC Certification
Eco-Friendly Wood for the Greater Good posted 12-28-08
Nonprofit, government and industry groups have launched a set of certification standards over the past couple of decades that provide some certainty that your wood is coming from sustainable sources. Tops on the list is the Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC. Read more.
Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood Program Certifies Largest Forestry Group to FSC Standards posted 12-18-08
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Managed Forest Law (MFL) group of family forest landowners has the most landowners of any single certified group, with over 40,000 privately-owned forest parcels. Read more.
Congo Basin Forest Is Biggest for Approved Logging posted 12-18-08
A tract of tropical forest in the Congo Basin mapped with the help of local pygmies has become the largest in the world certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Read more.
FSC accredits National Initiatives in Nepal, Norway and Honduras posted 12-18-08
The National Initiatives will lead forest certification efforts in their countries. Read more.
FSC Principles & Criteria
Clearcuts, Kleenex and Forest Campaigns posted 12-28-08
The robin you watch hopping around the lawn every morning before you go to work depends on the Boreal Forest. Read more.
The Science behind the Ancient Forest Friendly Brand posted 12-28-08
Markets Initiative utilizes three comprehensive and complimentary science-based screens as part of its process to determine Ancient Forest Friendly wood fibre. The first is the High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) definition utilized by the Forest Stewardship Council. Read more.
Local Control Saves Forests posted 12-18-08
Minimal deforestation and few wildfires occurred in areas managed according to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification standards. Read more.
Sustainable Forestry in the Congo Basin posted 12-18-08
"With rampant illegal logging, vague logging concession boundaries and massive blocks of pristine forest destined for the chainsaw, this is a laudable step towards avoiding an ecological disaster," says James P. Leape, Director General of WWF. Read more.
FSC-US Standards Revision posted 12-18-08
The FSC-US Forest Management standards are now available for public comment. Read more.
World Wildlife Fund says ‘FSC Still the Best’ posted 12-18-08
The World Wildlife Fund believes that FSC is ‘still the best’ according to their latest Forest Certification Assessment Guide. Read more.
FSC's Impacts and Outcomes in the Forest posted 12-18-08
A summary of literature review of independent research on FSC's impacts and outcomes in the forest is now available online here (pdf).
FSC Products
Washington State Adopts Ambitious Green Paper Law posted 5-19-08
The state's new paper recycling and conservation act requires all state agencies and state colleges to purchase paper containing 100 percent post-consumer recycled content by the end of this year. Read more.
Winner of Fourth Annual Designing & Building with FSC Award posted 12-18-08
FSC US has announced that Green Hammer, Inc. based in Portland, Oregon is the recipient of the fourth annual Designing & Building with FSC Award for their single family custom built house on November 19, 2008 at the US Green Building Council’s ‘GreenBuild’ Conference and Expo. Read more.
Environmental Practices and Preferences of Paper Buyers posted 12-18-08
The FSC Canada survey probed the environmental sensitivity and purchasing habits of over 300 paper/print specifiers and buyers across Canada. Read the report.
New FSC-Certified Printers posted 12-28-08
To view or download a complete list of FSC-certified printers, please visit: www.fsccanada.org/fscprinters.htm
Eco Friendly Flooring Guide posted 12-18-08
EcoTimber Flooring developed the Guide to show what exactly FSC certification means, and how it compares to competing claims. Read more.
FSC Coalition Brings Washington’s Oldest Hardwood Mill Good Markets in Hard Times posted 12-18-08
With strong FSC markets backing him, Bill is able to offer top-of-market prices for alder logs and is one of the few hardwood mills in the region that is still buying logs. Read more.
November 2008
FSC General Assembly 2008 Summary posted 11-30-08
The FSC holds a General Assembly every three years, and its 5th General Assembly took place this year in Cape Town, South Africa from Nov 3rd to 7th. Visit the web site.
Voices from the FSC General Assembly posted 11-30-08
The Tropical Forest Trust has posted 19 interviews with General Assembly participants. Listen to podcasts.
Rona Vows to Buy Only FSC Certified Lumber posted 11-30-08
Canadian home improvement giant Rona Inc. believes FSC is the most vigorous certification system on two critical criteria: first nations involvement in forestry and conservation of biodiversity. Read more.
Green Publishing and the Future of the Book posted 11-16-08
At an Oxford Publishing Society discussion, Carol Richmond of Wiley-Blackwell pointed out that over-farming is a serious threat to the environment, and encouraged ethical paper sourcing through supporting the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) to combat illegal "fiber farming." Read more.
Magazines Become More Forest-Friendly posted 11-16-08
Sun Media as the largest magazine publisher in Canada to use paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council of Canada. Read more.
City of Madrid recognizes FSC in Procurement Policy posted 11-16-08
Spain’s capital city has a new procurement policy to give preference for certified papers, prioritizing FSC-certified paper. Read more.
New Pretenders Album Printed on FSC-Certified Paper posted 11-16-08
The new "Break Up the Concrete" album, says label president Jeff Ayeroff, "is an homage to the general nature of stewardship. Read more.
Anderson Lithograph Certified for Forest-Friendly Printing posted 11-16-08
Anderson Lithograph has attained Chain-of-Custody certification under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) system, enabling it to offer customers the choice to print on paper that originates in responsibly managed forests. Read more.
Alternatives to Forest Destruction posted 11-16-08
Wood alternatives to ancient forest destruction include well managed forests and The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Read more.
Buy Forest Friendly
Almost everything made from wood and other forest products is available with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label. Read more.
October 2008
The Nature Conservancy Joins Northwest Certified Forestry added 10-25-08
TNC has an internal mandate to certify timber producing forests they own to FSC standards. Read more.
Chain of Custody added 10-25-08
Lumber that originates from a FSC-certified forest will not become FSC-certified wood flooring, for example, if the sawmill that handled raw material processing was not certified by FSC as well. Read more.
Forest Stewardship Planning Class in Everett, WA added 10-25-08
Coming up in winter, 2009, this 10-session practical, hands-on course will enable forest landowners to prepare their own forest stewardship plan with guidance and "coaching" from natural resource professionals. Read more.
Sustainable Woods Network added 10-25-08
Find forest products by certification type, join a forum to share ideas. Read more.
The Entrepreneurial Forester added 10-25-08
Each issue of this free newsletter provides information on current forestry news, innovative forest management, certification, value-added processing, niche marketing, small business case studies, and other useful resources. Read more and subscribe.
Washington DNR Certifies 145,000 Acres to FSC added 10-19-08
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for the agency’s management practices on 145,000 acres of forested state trust lands. Read more.
HSBC invests in forest-friendly paper added 10-19-08
All paper used by HSBC Bank Malta is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Read more.
Mitsubishi Imaging Offers Forest Friendly Inkjet Paper added 10-19-08
The Inkjet paper, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), includes varieties sold under the Diamond Jet brand. Read more.
What Is FSC Certification? added 10-19-08
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forest certification system is an independent, third party certification scheme that audits “on-the-ground” logging operations according to ten international principles and criteria to ensure sustainable logging operations. Read more.
The Rainforest Alliance's Guide to Green Holiday Gift-Giving added 10-19-08
When considering what to give family and friends this holiday season, consider gifts that give back to everyone's favorite family member: Mother Nature. Read more.
Ecuador Defines Indicators added 10-19-08
The Ecuadorian working group for FSC Forest Certification (CEFOVE according to its initialsin Spanish) defined indicators and guidelines for High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) according to FSC Principle 9. Read more.
Eco-Friendly Corporate Holiday Greeting Card Brand added 10-19-08
All Pleasantrees eco-friendly cards are produced on recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Read more.
The Stolen Forests added 10-19-08
New Yorker article underscores the importance of FSC lumber. Read more
The Next Chapter in Recycling added 10-19-08
Publishers such as Random House and Dorling Kindersley are sourcing paper that is Forest Stewardship Council-approved. Read more.
September 2008
FSC Wood Blocks on "Hot Toy" List added 9-28-08
The Natural Wood Alphabet Blocks Wagon from Toys"R"Us carries the Forest Stewardship seal of certification and is one of the "Hot" toys for the 2008 season. Read more.
FSC Has Best Standard for Green Paper added 9-28-08
“Being the only forest certification comparison that looks at the four North American schemes as they apply in Canada, we hope those in the private and public sectors will use it as a resource as they move forward with environmental paper initiatives,” said Paul MacLean, President of ÉEM Inc. Read more.
Comments Needed in Support of Forest Stewardship
FSC-US and our partners in forest stewardship have deep concerns with the proposed change to the LEED Green Building Rating System and urge you to provide comments to US Green Building Council.
Read on.
New Study Finds FSC Provides Better Forest Protection
A new Rainforest Alliance study has found that forest concessions managed in compliance with FSC certification standards have seen fewer wildfires and less deforestation compared with protected and other areas.
Read on.
Four FSC Certified Mills
Three new mills have gotten FSC certified in the Northwest this summer, plus a report on a fourth that slipped past the radar last fall.
Read on.
FSC Label Types - Pure, Recycled & Mixed
The FSC system maintains three label types based on the content of particular product lines.
Read on.
Free On-site Consultation to Small Woodland Owners
Forest landowners in the South Sound have a new resource for learning about sustainable forest management and methods for diversifying income.
Read on.
NCF Membership Scholarships Offered
Small woodland owners in King County and the Nisqually Watershed are eligible to receive a discounted membership in Northwest Certified Forestry, an economic development program that helps landowners optimize the economic and ecological potential of their forestland.
Read on.
US Amendment to Lacey Act Bans Illegal Wood Imports
The United States made great strides last month in protecting forests around the globe and businesses here at home by banning the import, sale, or trade of all illegally-harvested wood and forest products.
Read on.
August 2008
Certification Opportunities for WA DNR Timber Purchasers
WA DNR-managed forested state trust lands within the South Puget Plan Planning Unit, located within parts of King, Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Kitsap, and Mason counties, are now certified as being in compliance with the Forest Stewardship Council Pacific Coast Regional Standard. FSC certified timber sales are now available for timber purchasers....
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Green Garden Furniture Goes Mainstream
FSC-certified furniture is becoming more mainstream and more products are being labeled with the certification....
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Studies Illustrate the Benefits of Certification
The impacts of Forest Stewardship Council certification appear to be lower than anticipated and researchers come to several interesting conclusions about the reasons behind this, and the way in which benefits may be more significant in the future.
Read on
July 2008
Forestry groups queried on U.S. funds
Senators ask about the protection of our forests....
Read on
June 2008
Staples offers FSC Recylced Paper
FSC Recyled Paper becomes a standard offering at Staples Copy and Print Centers....
Read on
May 2008
State Praised for Logging Sustainably
The Seattle Times praises the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for obtaining FSC certification on 145, 000 acres of state forestlands....
Read on
April 2008
NBC Nightly News spotlights a FSC certified forest
NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams focuses on sustainable logging on land owned by Collins Pine, a FSC certified company....
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March 2008
Legal Timber Protection Act, House Bill 1497
The Legal Timber Protection Act was introduced to the House but voting on the bill has yet to occur. House Bill 1497 would make it a crime to knowingly import, sell, buy or transport illegally sourced wood products....
Read on
July 2007
Office Depot Offers FSC Paper
Office Depot has announced that it will make Domtar's EarthChoice Paper -- certified to Forest Stewardship Council standards and endorsed by the Rainforest Alliance -- widely available in its stores for the first time in the U.S....
Read on
May 2007
Northwest Certified Wood Source
Read the latest version of the Northwest Certified Wood Source newsletter here for updates on all things FSC....
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May 2007
Ainsworth Certified for OSB Mills
Ainsworth, the leading manufacturer of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) west of the Mississippi, has received FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification for its three Minnesota mills....
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August 2006
FSC at Work in SW Washington - Reading Room Article
Ten miles south of Naselle, Washington, lies the 120-acre, FSC-certified Knappton Cove forest....
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July 2006
Forest Certification on a Military Base? - Reading Room Article
In the heart of Western Washington, lies 43,000 acres of one of the best managed working forests in the country. Located on the Fort Lewis Army base...
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March 2006
Changing the World, One Shopping Cart at a Time
There's a telling scene in the documentary "Buyer Be Fair" in which various Home Depot customers try to define "certified wood"...
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Dec 2005
Ecotrust and FSC: A Model for Linking the Market
Kent Goodyear, director of market connections for Ecotrust's Forestry program is on the leading edge of creating innovative marketing partnerships for FSC-certified wood — and applying a career's worth of know-how to the cause...
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Sep 2005
Largest FSC Certification in the World
An area of 5.5 million hectares of forest that belongs to Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac) have been certified under the FSC Principles and Criteria...
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Sep 2005
Tembec is Awarded FSC Certification for Nearly 3 Million Acres of Forest
Tembec and World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) announced today that Tembec has been awarded FSC certification for its forest resource management practices...
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