Natural Forest Distribution Education Connections
Natural Forest Distribution believes that education regarding forest certification and green-building guidelines are essential to the success of any company or individual that is involved in the building industry.
Natural Forest distributes only 100% FSC-certified lumber. FSC is the gold standard among organizations that promote responsible management of the world's forests. FSC accredits independent third-party organizations that can certify forest managers and forest product producers follow the strict FSC standards. We feel it is the only forest-auditing organization that can guarantee that the lumber and wood products you purchase have come from a forest that is managed in a truly responsible manner. The alternative certification that you will likely encounter is one created and funded by the forest products industry—the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). We provide a link to allow you to see both programs. For us, SFI’s use of chemicals, their failure to establish or maintain biodiversity and their lack of respect for wildlife makes us believe that FSC will continue to be the choice of credible green-building programs. For more information regarding FSC and certification, click on the links below.
Green building programs are becoming very numerous and we try diligently to sort through new programs as they emerge to understand them and work with the users of these guidelines. Currently USGBC LEED is the obvious choice for national plans in both commercial and residential construction. Regional programs such as Build It Green (California), Built Green (Washington), Earth Advantage (Oregon and Idaho) and Austin Energy (Texas) are very credible, well established and easily understood. We are proud to work with all of these organizations to further the evolution of innovative, intelligent and effective building standards.
We provide staff training to our stocking retailers so their customers will encounter a person who is knowledgeable and helpful regarding FSC lumber and the issues of forest certification. We also provide basic knowledge of the appropriate green-building programs and facilitate enhanced education.
We provide the links below with the intention of guiding you to very credible sources so you may either initiate or enhance your own knowledge of forest certification and green building.
Certification
Forest Stewardship Council United States (FSC)
Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI)
Forest Friendly Lumber — Seattle Audubon recognizes the need to balance society's need for wood products with environmental protection. Logging does not have to lead to erosion, habitat destruction, or depressed timber communities. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber protects birds, wildlife, clean water and logging jobs.
Certification Comparisons
Forests and the European Union Resource Network — Comparison of FSC vs SFI
Yale Program on Forest Policy and Governance 2007 (open for comments)— Comparison of forest certification programs
Yale
Program on Forest Policy and Governance 2001 — Comparison of FSC vs
SFI
Green Building Training
Build It Green Training — Certified green building professional training.
LEED Training — From the U.S. Green Building Councel
Earth Advantage Training — Classes and Events
Green Advantage — Environmental Certification