Forest Certification
» California Forestry & Certification
California Forestry & Certification
Concerns over global climate change have sparked an interest in green building, sustainable forestry and the use of wood -- the only renewable, recyclable and biodegradable building material available.
Most green building standards cite a preference for wood grown and harvested in sustainable forests. In California, state laws regulate forestry activity on private forestland, and California's Forest Practice Rules (FPRs) are, in fact, aimed at ensuring sustainability. In addition, forestland owners may seek independent, third-party certification that their forests are well managed and sustainable. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry initiative (SFI) are the two largest independent certification programs. Each has its own standards, costs and independent audit requirements.