We Make Green Easy™
FSC® Certification
We believe that forestlands are precious natural resources that need to be preserved for future generations to enjoy. Properly managed forests provide forestry related jobs, reduce atmospheric carbon and provide scenic beauty for everyone to enjoy. This vision for well-managed forests serves as the foundation for our procurement philosophy.
The Forest Stewardship Council® is recognized the global benchmark in forest certification. Their standards promote socially acceptable, environmentally conscious and economically viable forest management. Certification provides a credible link from forests to our customers. Our company is proud to be one of the first companies in North America to achieve FSC certification.
We are passionate about the conservation of the world’s forests. Over half of our company’s forest products originate from third party certified forestlands. In addition to certification, our logging crews are among the most skilled in the industry. They employ best management practices for conservation of biodiversity, water quality, erosion control and safety.
About the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC)
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organization that promotes responsible stewardship of the world’s forests. The FSC permits accredited, independent third party organizations to grant FSC certification to forest managers and forest-product producers. In order to receive FSC certification, forest managers and forest-product producers must meet FSC standards which support and reinforce social, environmental, and industrial interests. FSC certifiable forest management must maintain the biodiversity of the forest, sustain and reinforce long term benefits of natural resources, and protect potentially effected ecosystems.
Benefits provided by the FSC include:
- International recognition for forest management efforts to protect native inhabitants
- Assurance that future generations will enjoy the benefits of forests
- Assurance that wildlife is protected
- Assurance that land ownership and workers’ rights are respected
- Market recognition of the FSC trademark
- Interaction among forest owners and environmental organizations
FSC Chain of Custody (COC) Certification is the portion of the FSC that includes distributors, building supply stores, cabinet makers, millworkers, furniture builders, and contractors. COC certification sets guidelines for this industry, in buying, storing, remanufacturing, and selling FSC certified products ensuring their credibility.
The FSC is an internationally recognized (145 countries), standard-setting organization in forest management. The FSC is unique in its dedication to social, environmental, and industrial interests through its standards for responsible forest stewardship. The system requires annual controls of each forest management operation and:
- Prohibits the use of hazardous pesticides
- Restricts cultivation of genetically modified trees
- Avoids illegally harvested wood that is in violation of traditional and civil rights; from conservation areas; from the conversion of natural forests or from genetically altered trees.
Forest Philosophy
Beginning in the forest, we work directly with land owners to ensure the proper care of their land. Our forestry practices are designed to help maintain healthy forests for many future generations.
Why Harvest
Forests and woodlands are much like gardens and crops in that mature trees, those with poor form, poor quality, disease, or of undesirable species, should be removed periodically. Properly thinned hardwood stands promote forest health, protect your investment, and concentrate growth and nutrients on the best quality trees. Forest management also provides for an abundance of plant species on the forest floor that are enjoyed by animals such as white tailed deer and wild turkeys. Ultimately, proper thinning of trees promotes a more diverse ecosystem.
Wood Sourcing Policy Commitment
Midwest Hardwood Corporation is committed to the practices of sustainable forestry in all of its endeavors. Therefore we will implement our best efforts to avoid trading and sourcing wood or wood fiber from the following categories:
a) Illegally harvested wood;
b) Wood harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights;
c) Wood harvested in forests where high conservation values are threatened by management activities;
d) Wood harvested in forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use;
e) Wood from forests in which genetically modified trees are planted.
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