For State Forest Certification questions contact
Chad Sanders
614/265-6701
In December 2010, ODNR-Division of Forestry received certification to the principles and criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). All of Ohio’s 21 state forests covering more than 200,000 acres are now certified.
Scientific Certification Systems registration number SCS-FM/COC-00130N indicates that all timber from State Forests come from a forest that is Well-Managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards according to the principles and criteria approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The forest products above are 100% FSC certified.
NSF International Strategic Registrations certificate number C0043580-SFI indicates that all timber from State Forests comes from a forest that has been assessed by NSF-ISR and found to be in conformance to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI): 2010-2014.
The recognition is a culmination of extensive audits, which include on-site verification, stakeholder meetings, and a comprehensive review of timber management, conservation practices, recreation and public outreach. Certification standards are set and updated by the program's partners from environmental, social and economic sectors. Verification audits are conducted annually.
On October 25, 2007,
Governor Ted Strickland directed the Division of Forestry to begin the above process of obtaining forest certification under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification systems. Forest certification is a scientific, independent review process that ensures standards are met for responsible forest management. Both certification systems allow tagging of forest products that ensure to a purchaser that the certification body standards were met in producing the product. Certification of Ohio State Forests may increase marketability of products and hopefully help create some demand for certification of Ohio’s private forests. The Division of Forestry is committed to achieving and maintaining this important
state forest certification.The
Sustainable Forestry Initiative is a third party certification system that sets standards for forest certification. SFI’s certification standards are set by its board of directors, which include stakeholders from environmental, social, and economic sectors. The standard is revisited every five years and input is sought from multiple stakeholder groups in a public review process. SFI’s focus area is North America, but the standard is endorsed by the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes) as being equivalent to other independent national standards.
Click here to see SFI's Scoping Report on Ohio State Forests.
The
Forest Stewardship Council is also a third party certification system but has an international scope. The FSC has 10 principles and 57 criteria that address legal and social issues, environmental impacts, labor, indigenous rights, and multiple benefits. These standards are valid worldwide. National Indicators and guidance are set by the national chapters of FSC. These indicators may be specific to individual countries or regions. All revisions of standards at the international or national level are subject to public review but are ultimately voted on by the board of directors at the appropriate level.
Click here to see FSC's Forest Management Pre-Assessment Report for Ohio State Forests System.
State Forest Certification Documents
Final Audit Report for FSC (pdf)
Final Audit Report for SFI (pdf)
FSC Certificate (pdf)
SFI Certificate (pdf)
Land Management Manual (pdf)
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2008 State Forest Strategic Plan (pdf)
