Sustainable Forestry

Sustainable Forestry

Sustainable forestry is key to halting global forest degradation and deforestation. Well-managed plantations that are not established at the expense of natural forest can divert pressure from the latter while providing fast-growing wood fiber for a variety of applications. Truly responsible natural forest management - and markets for ecological forest products – provide incentives to local people and companies to preserve forest as forest, manage some areas for the full range of values, and leaving others intact as biological and ecological preserves.

Truly sustainable forestry has social and economic as well as environmental components. Well-managed forestry operations take in to account ecosystem health, habitat for wild flora and fauna, environmentally-sensitive areas, water and soil quality, and the rights of local communities. They generally have long-term tenure to their lands and are committed to maintaining current patterns of land-use.

To be assured that your flooring material comes from a well-managed source look for  a credible forest certification program, such as the Forest Stewardship Council.