Forest landowners cannot just sign up for forest certification rather they must be accepted into it. A forest management plan that is being followed to assure standards of sustainability are being met is required. In addition, an initial forest inspection (and follow-up inspections) by qualified professionals is mandatory. In some cases the management plan and inspection are without cost (such as when utilizing the services of a state forest agency). Other cases could require landowner investment (such as when utilizing the services of a consulting firm). Normally costs will be based on a per acre value, with the cost per acre decreasing with increasing acreage.

Landowners can become certified as individuals, or through a larger group. Group certification can occur through partnering with participating consulting firms or forest industry, or in some cases, through a much larger state property tax abatement program.

Forest certification requires an unbroken “chain of custody.” The process begins with professionally trained forester making contact with conservation-minded landowners. A management plan is developed and implemented, leading to logging operations carried out by approved loggers. The chain continues with separation or tracking of certified logs that become certified lumber at sawmills. The lumber is sold at retail outlets and the chain ends in a consumer product.

Conclusion

Forest certification is gaining widespread attention by a variety of stakeholders. Emerging as a tool to attain sustainable forestry, certification provides for a voluntary, market-driven approach to sustainable forest management. As markets continue to develop for lumber that originates from certified forest, many landowners are positioning themselves to gain access.
To learn more about forest certification, landowners should contact foresters and natural resource professionals. The following sites should help in obtaining professional assistance and getting started:

State Forestry Agencies

http://www.stateforesters.org/about_nasf#

 

Association of Consulting Foresters

http://www.acf-foresters.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

 

University Extension

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/index.html