| A unit of Lasting Forests
evolving since March 30, 1999 |
|
A Total Forest Management Plan
|
|
|
The wood gets the tag; the forest gets certified.
Becomming a SmartWood certified forest allows the ownership to market wood and products as from environmentally sound, sustained forests. SmartWood is the Eastern Us official certification group of the Rainforest Alliance and the Forest Stewardship Council.This certification is reported to bring an additional 10% in gross sale values, increases export potentials and values, and opens opportunities for the future that only few can begin to dream.
Certification means gaining a status as having internationally recognized conditions of good forest management-- environmentally sound, healthy forests, a sustained system. The wood or products are "green." What certification really means is that wood from such areas is more easily marketed in export trade than other woods (and progressively so in US markets). It means increased wood price, market access or advantage, and image-building potential for public relations gains. It reduces risks that future logs cannot be sold because of environmental restrictions. It is a way of getting credit in the marketplace for doing an excellent job of forest stewardship. It may gain "points" in legal proceedings and in political testimony.
The staff of The Trevey, at the owner's request, will attempt to gain certification of the forest by SmartWood. This is a unique service. Initial applications are completed, presentations in meetings are made (including GIS maps), the final plan (a major benefit of having The Trevey) is presented, and a field trip is conducted for the inspectors. The service makes the process as painless and as cost effective as possible and uses past experience of the staff to overcome major hurdles experienced by prior applicants.
The Forest Management Trust is located in Gainesville, Florida, 6124 SW 30th Ave., 32608
Efforts have been made by Meridian to compare and contrast the work within the SFI program with SmartWood.
American Forest & Paper Association®
1111 Nineteenth Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-2700
and other so-called certification programs.
| Quick Access to the Contents of LastingForests.com |
|---|
This Web site is maintained by R. H.
Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.