In March 2005, Beltrami, Becker, Carlton, Clearwater, Crow Wing and Koochiching Counties formed a Cooperative with the goal of achieving dual forestland management certification according to Forest Stewardship Council™ Principles and Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standards.
Why did we come together to do this?
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We know certified forestland management is essential to the long term economic sustainability of the forestry community in our region.
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We want to manage our forests with due regard being taken of social and environmental issues.
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Certain segments of the retail sector are demanding timber from certified sources - this demand will only grow over time.
SGS Systems & Services Certification, Inc. certified the Cooperative’s processes as meeting Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standards in 2008 and Forest Stewardship Council™ Principles in 2009. A Sustainable Forestry Initiative surveillance audit was conducted in 2009. Starting in 2010, we will be audited annually against both Forest Stewardship Council™ Principles and the new Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standards. County managed lands in Beltrami, Carlton, Clearwater, Crow Wing and Koochiching counties are now internationally recognized as sustainably managed forests.