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10 Big ReasonsResponsible Forestry
We not only build our own awards and plaques. We know how, when, and from where our wood is harvested. That's because, since before we shipped our first product in 2002, we’ve been an FSC®-certified chain-of-custody provider (FSC-C019049).
Why do forests matter?
We depend on forests to live. Forests filter the water we drink and the air we breathe. According to the FSC, worldwide, 1.6 billion people rely on forests for their livelihoods, including food, clothing, or shelter. Many of our planet's original forests have disappeared and, of what remains, most is unprotected. Every minute, 64 acres of forest are lost due to illegal or irresponsible logging, land clearance for agriculture or development, or forest fires. According to WRI Research, 30 percent of global forest cover has been cleared, while another 20 percent has been degraded. Most of the rest has been fragmented, leaving only about 15 percent intact.
Forest preservation requires the use of sustainable forestry practices - that is, practices that maintain or improve the health and integrity of forest ecosystems. The key to sustainable forestry is independent forest certification.
Forest certification
Forest certification is the most reliable and effective means of protecting forest ecosystems, wildlife, water quality, and surrounding communities. As World Wildlife Fund notes, forest certification is widely seen as the most important initiative of the last decade to promote better forest management.
Credible forest certification covers much more than just logging practices – it also accounts for the social and economic well-being of workers and local communities, transparency and inclusiveness in decision making. (World Wildlife Fund 2021)
Certification is a market-based (as opposed to regulatory) approach to conservation. It provides independent, third party assurance that a forest or wood products operation:
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Maintains the health and vitality of the total forest ecosystem
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Supports the production of wood on a sustained, renewable basis
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Has positive social and economic impacts on workers and local communities, including indigenous peoples.
Who is the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)?
The Forest Stewardship Council is a global non-profit organization that promotes responsible forest management through the establishment of rigorous global standards. FSC was founded in 1993 by environmental groups, the timber industry, foresters, indigenous peoples and community groups from 25 countries. The FSC standards encourage environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests.
We choose to be certified by the FSC because the FSC standard is most closely aligned with our company's priorities and values. In particular, we appreciate that the FSC standard addresses not only environmental issues, but issues related to indigenous rights, community well-being, and socio-economic sustainability.
FSC certification tracks wood from the forest to the final product, enabling consumers and business buyers to purchase products with confidence.
Please check out our FSC-certified hardwood awards and our Recycled products (see site for FSC availability).