BROWNSTOWN, IN — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) / Division of Forestry (DoF) has received Forest Stewardship Council certification for more than 520,000 acres of privately owned forestlands, in the Classified Forest and Wildlands Program, throughout the state. In addition to this privately owned forestland being certified, all 150,000 acres of the Division of Forestry’s State Forests are dual certified by FSC and Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The Indiana Division of Forestry aims to be “managing Indiana’s forests and providing opportunities for forest landowners and forest industry now and for the future.”
With more than 750,000 acres being certified throughout the state, approximately 47 MMbf of certified timber could be available in 2010.
According to the IDNR, approximately 7,800 certified forest owners in Indiana are now able to supply hardwood products to customers seeking certified products bearing the FSC trademark. The DoF manages the group forest management certification program, an umbrella under which the private landowners operate.
“This certificate provides assurance for the people of Indiana that the state’s forest resources are managed responsibly and will be protected for future Hoosiers," said John Seifert, Indiana state forester. "And because each 1,000 acres of timberland in Indiana directly supports 12 forest-based manufacturing jobs, certification ensures those jobs will enhance the green economy for years to come."
According to the IDNR, the Indiana DoF also developed the nation’s first ever “state-administered” chain of custody certificate for small primary forest products industries across the state. Currently there are 42 small sawmills and logging businesses enrolled.
With more than 750,000 acres being certified throughout the state, approximately 47 MMbf of certified timber could be available in 2010.
According to the IDNR, approximately 7,800 certified forest owners in Indiana are now able to supply hardwood products to customers seeking certified products bearing the FSC trademark. The DoF manages the group forest management certification program, an umbrella under which the private landowners operate.
“This certificate provides assurance for the people of Indiana that the state’s forest resources are managed responsibly and will be protected for future Hoosiers," said John Seifert, Indiana state forester. "And because each 1,000 acres of timberland in Indiana directly supports 12 forest-based manufacturing jobs, certification ensures those jobs will enhance the green economy for years to come."
According to the IDNR, the Indiana DoF also developed the nation’s first ever “state-administered” chain of custody certificate for small primary forest products industries across the state. Currently there are 42 small sawmills and logging businesses enrolled.
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