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Forest certification was developed to ensure forests were managed according to certain standards, with the ultimate goal of helping people live more harmoniously with nature. As a renewable natural resource, forests are highly valuable, with numerous products made from them. At the same time, though, they still face many threats, making sustainable and responsible forest management essential. But how does certification actually inform planning?

Here are three important ways certification programs affect forestry:

  • Increasing the Demand for Sustainable Products: People care more than ever about the origin of their products. Certification programs make it easy for consumers to spot items sourced from well-managed forests, helping increase the market share for certified products and bringing more attention to the importance of sustainable forestry.

  • forest managementFurthering the Conversation About Sustainable Forest Management: Not everyone agrees on how forests should be managed. For example, logging companies and residential communities may have many conflicting interests with regards to sustainable planning. There are also several different certifications around the world that all have different standards, and more research still needs to be done on how each actually makes forestry more sustainable. To aid in educational efforts, the World Wildlife Fund has developed an online tool for evaluating and assessing them.

  • Creating Transparency: One of the most important components of a certification is the transparency it creates in how a forest is managed. With the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), for example, there are standards governing every aspect of a chain of custody; these require all assessments to be made by vetted and accredited certifying bodies.

 

If you need forest management services near Camden, AR, or the surrounding areas, Neeley Forestry Services can help. The skilled professionals specialize in forest planning, timber appraisals, and other land management services. To discuss your needs, give them a call at (870) 836-5981. More information is available on their website.

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