Northwest Certified Forestry

The Northwest Natural Resource Group (NNRG) advocates the market-based forest certification system developed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international organization that recognizes landowners that adhere to a rigorous set of principles and criteria. Due to the time consuming, costly and complicated certification process the NNRG has developed a Northwest Certified Forestry program. This program follows the concept of “group certification,” whereby a group manager, who oversees the management practices of many individual forestlands, becomes certified and is able to extend certification to participating landowners. FSC products are marketed as holding the highest degree of environmental quality and are positioned to capture “green” market premiums. The purpose of this project is to implement a market-based system that promotes and rewards sustainable forest management practices and the promotion of environmental services on small forestlands in western Washington.