WWF Puts the Spotlight on Good Wood in the United States
8/20/98
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Title: WWF Puts the Spotlight on Good Wood in the United States
Source: PRNewswire
Status: Copyrighted, contact source to reprint
Date: 8/20/98
ATLANTA, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- As indiscriminate practices destroy more
and more of the world's wildlife and wild places, and the timber industry
expands into remaining native forests, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is
honoring corporate leaders who are part of the growing 'good wood'
movement. During the third stop of its four-day, four-city tour in Atlanta
on August 20th, WWF will challenge business and industry leaders to follow
the lead of 150 companies committed to supplying or buying wood that is
independently certified as environmentally friendly.
Certified wood is an emerging market in the U.S. that has risen out of the
awareness that conventional timber harvesting is devastating the world's
forests, which are home to most of the world's terrestrial plant and
animal species. More than two-thirds of the world's original forests no
longer exist and the remaining forests are disappearing at the rate of
almost 42 million acres a year, or about 1.3 acres per second.
"North America is by far the world's largest market for wood products, and
there is a growing awareness among consumers of the link between their
purchases and the horrendous deforestation that is consuming the world's
most spectacular, species-rich forests," said Bruce Cabarle, director,
Global Forests Program, WWF. "A small but increasing number of progressive
timber and manufacturing companies are responding by putting independently
certified wood products on the store shelves."
Currently, 33 forests in the U.S. are independently certified according to
the principles of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a non-profit
organization founded in 1993 by a diverse group of representatives
including environmental organizations, the timber industry and rural
communities. Consumers buying products with the FSC label are guaranteed
that the wood came from well-managed forests that are carefully harvested
to maintain the integrity of rivers, streams, plants and wildlife and
respect the rights of local communities and economies.
To date, there are 25 million acres of FSC-certified forests worldwide,
including 3.5 million acres in the U.S. Collins Pine of Portland, OR, was
the first U.S. timber company to embrace certification for 93,000 acres of
land in Chester, CA, followed by an additional 200,000 acres in
Pennsylvania, Oregon and California. Others include Seven Islands Land
Company of Bangor, ME, Menominee Tribal Enterprises of Keshena, WI, and
Sedgwick Land Company of Boston, GA.
"The certified wood industry is in its infancy in the U.S., and its
success will depend on the consumer demand for premium products that do
not harm the environment," said Walter Sedgwick, President of Sedgwick
Land Company, which has 8,000 acres of FSC-certified longleaf pine and
planted pine in Georgia. The land is considered a safe home for one of the
most endangered species in North America, the Red-cockaded woodpecker, as
well as the gopher tortoise and other endangered species.
One way to help ensure a strong market for certified wood is through the
newly created Certified Forest Products Council (CFPC). Similar to other
buyers groups in 14 other countries, CFPC is an independent, non-profit,
voluntary business initiative promoting responsible forest products buying
practices throughout North America in an effort to improve forest
management practices worldwide.
The Council's 150 members, including environmental groups, forest products
companies, corporations and concerned individuals, work to increase both
the demand for and supply of certified forest products. The business
membership includes producers using certified wood to make everything from
consumer goods such as guitars and furniture to construction materials
including lumber, plywood, flooring, moulding and millwork.
"By applying the power of responsible purchasing, we can have a positive,
lasting effect on the future of the world's forests," said David Ford,
president of the CFPC. "Using certified forest products promotes forest
management that is economically viable, socially beneficial and
environmentally responsible."
Before coming to Zoo Atlanta, WWF's third stop, the 500 Day Countdown Tour
kicked off in California at the Monterey Bay Aquarium with a focus on
marine conservation and over-fishing, one of the greatest threats plaguing
the oceans. On the second day, the tour traveled to the Fort Worth Zoo in
Fort Worth, TX, to focus the country's attention on the plight of
endangered species, in particular the rhino, which may become extinct in
our lifetime. The tour will conclude in New York City with a look at the
public's concerns and hopes for the planet. During the event, a WWF
documentary film will be previewed and the results of a nationwide survey
identifying people's views about the health of the environment and its
impact on the quality of life will be released.
To learn more about certified products or about WWF's 500-Day Countdown
Tour, visit the WWF Web site at www.worldwildlife.org/500day.
Organizations that will be recognized in Atlanta include Certified Forest
Products Council, Collins Pine, Colonial Craft, Columbia Forest Products,
Connor Sport Flooring, Co-Op America, Freeman Corporation, Forestry
Stewardship Council, Habitat for Humanity International, Hellmuth Obata &
Kassabaum, The Loft Bed Store, Menominee Tribal Enterprises, Thomas Moser
Cabinetmakers, National Resources Defense Council, Plaza Hardwoods,
Rainforest Alliance/Smartwood, Scientific Certification Systems, Sedgwick
Land Company, Seven Islands, States Industries, The Wilderness Society and
World Resources Institute.
World Wildlife Fund, known worldwide by its panda logo, leads
international efforts to save life on earth. Now in its fourth decade, WWF
works in more than 100 countries around the globe to leave our children a
living planet.
The official sponsors of the 500 Day Countdown tour are Animal Planet,
First USA, Kodak, M&M's, Pedigree and Yahoo!
Source: World Wildlife Fund
Contact: Lee Poston of the World Wildlife Fund, 202-778-9536; Leslie
Nauser, 202-973-3624, or Amy Jones, 202-973-5857, both for the World
Wildlife Fund
c 1997, PR Newswire