Sustainability

Our Commitment to Sustainable Forest Management

NAFO members believe that private working forests provide environmental, economic and social benefits to meet the needs of present and future generations and are a fundamental part of the basic natural resources infrastructure of our nation. Private working forests produce recyclable and reusable wood and paper products society wants and needs; absorb and store carbon; produce clean water and air; sustain vital plants and wildlife; provide quality recreation experiences; and supply a growing source of renewable energy.

Sustainable forest management integrates the production of useful renewable products with conservation of healthy and diverse forest ecosystems across the landscape. Sustainable forest management incorporates practices including planting seedlings and natural seeding, conserving soil and water, maintaining wildlife and fish habitat, and protecting air and water quality.

NAFO members commit to the sustainable management of private working forests as a condition of membership. To demonstrate this commitment, NAFO members that own or manage forest lands dedicated to NAFO membership agree to:

1. Maintain effective internal processes to ensure that our forest management practices adhere to all applicable local, state and federal laws.
2. Manage our working forests using methods that support wildlife and fish habitat, biodiversity, soils, air and water quality and aesthetic values.
3. Maintain a program to address forest management in adverse weather conditions.
4. Use qualified natural resource professionals to manage our working forests.
5. Raise awareness about sustainable forest management through education of employees, contractors, suppliers, loggers and other forest owners.
6. Confirm the use of Best Management Practices by our contractors, suppliers and loggers.
7. Support measures to counteract illegal logging and associated illegal trade.
8. Support research and technology development on the sustainable management of working forests.

To verify our commitment, NAFO members that own or have management authority over working forest lands further agree to the following:

A. By March 31, 2011, and upon application for membership thereafter, the CEO of each affected member shall submit a letter to the NAFO Board attesting the member’s commitment to incorporate these principles into its business operations for management of its working forests and providing a target date for the completion of the company’s chosen verification process.

B. By December 30, 2012, and annually thereafter, each affected member shall notify NAFO of the method used to verify, through a third-party, transparent and credible process, its company’s adherence to these principles. Such methods shall be available to the public and may include:

1. An independent, third-party certification of lands and operations;
2. An audited Environmental Management System meeting the requirements of ISO 14001 that incorporates the NAFO Sustainability Principles;
3. Confirmation of conformance to the NAFO Sustainability Principles by a State Forester Audit (where such audits exist) of compliance with the NAFO sustainability principles;
4. Confirmation of conformance to the NAFO Sustainability Principles by a third-party review committee, which should at least include outside forestry experts; or
5. Confirmation of conformance to the NAFO Sustainability Principles by an independent and credentialed forestry audit professional.
6. Other third-party methods that may be approved by the NAFO Board.