“Enough already! For the past decade, the USGBC has given the Forest Stewardship Council a monopoly on wood from its forests being used in LEED Projects. It’s time for the USGBC to open the door to other wood certification programs.”

We couldn’t agree more with the words written by Robert Cassidy, editor-in-chief of Building Design + Construction. His recent editorial discusses several points we’ve been bringing up for quite some time:

We encourage you to read his article in full. If you haven’t done so yet, add your name to the petition urging the USGBC to open the LEED rating system. We are delighted to see an increasing number of advocates taking a stand!

Last week SFI was highlighted on a CTV broadcast as a label consumers can trust.  In a market full of products toting themselves as “green” or “eco-friendly,” it’s difficult to know where to turn, but the Consumers’ Association of Canada is trying to help remedy the issue. The feature advises consumers to do research and frequent retailers you can trust to help you distinguish between environmentally sound products and those which are “greenwashing.”  CTV reporters point to research from Terrachoice Environmental Marketing – We’ve blogged about their research in the past. You can read about how SFI is among 14 labels the group recognizes as “legitimate.”

At SFI, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive, science-based requirements that integrate the continuous growing of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality.  Additionally, our program is overseen by an independent Board of Directors, providing even more credibility. The SFI label tells customers they are buying products from responsibly managed forests.

A number of forestry experts (including the National Association of State Foresters), conservation groups (including The Conservation Fund) and government officials from Canada and the United States support the SFI standard as a credible forestry certification standard in North America. (You can read more about this on our website.)

We are proud of what our label stands for, proud of our growing SFI community, and continue to work hard on promoting responsible forest management in North America and around the world.  We applaud the Consumers’ Association’s to raise awareness on the issue of greenwashing and support clear guidelines for consumers to determine which products actually are environmentally friendly!

Let me start out by saying how grateful I am to all of the SFI, ATFS, CSA and PEFC supporters who have stood behind us in our efforts urging the U.S. Green Building Council to open its LEED Rating System to all credible third-party forest certification systems. We asked you to add your name to a petition, and in less than 24 hours, more than 1,000 people who believe in our cause expressed comments of general encouragement toward this mission. I thank you for this, but we’re not done yet. We’re now at more than 2,450 signatures and hope to see that number keep rising.

We encourage you to add your name to the petition if you haven’t done so already. Email this message to employees, friends, family, colleagues and anyone you feel supports responsible forestry, our communities and the future of green building. The momentum of the USGBC petition is strong—and we hope to keep the numbers climbing!

I want to share just a few of the great comments posted with signatures on the petition:

Trees are the only truly renewable resource. It is tragic to think that mined and energy intensive products such as steel, sheet rock and concrete are considered more environmentally friendly than wood. Let ALL recognized and independently verified certification programs into the LEED standard!
–Kurt Zweizig

There is no doubt that SFI has established credible standards supporting best management practices in forestry along with verifiable data. It is time for science and verifiable data to drive the certification. Good forestry follows good markets as data will show. We will plant, grow, harvest, and replant as the market grows. This will enhance clean air, clean water, wildlife and all the supports of our quality of life. As 2009 National Tree Farmer of the Year and 2010 Governor’s Agricultural Stewardship Award winners, Earl and I know firsthand how important sustainability, stewardship and conservation are to our industry, state and nation.
–Wanda T. Barrs

I respect the LEED standard, but LEED seems not to have respect for SFI, ATFS or PEFC. We all want the same thing…and it is a great shame that LEED wants to lock out these wonderful groups with the highest of standards that include so many good stewards of the land. WAKE UP, LEED!
–Chuck Leavell

Your signatures and comments make us proud to be involved with SFI and reinforce what we stand for. We value your continued support.

I’m excited to report that Oregon State Forester Marvin Brown has been elected SFI Chair. As Oregon State Forester, Brown brings extensive knowledge and background of forest certification and policymaking to the position.  He has also worked closely with SFI in the past and has an understanding of the organization’s needs. Brown first became involved with SFI in 1995, as State Forester in Missouri, and was part of the first SFI External Review Panel.

Two other new people have also joined the 18-member board. Chris Wood, President and CEO of Trout Unlimited, has joined the board’s environmental chamber. William V. Street Jr. has joined the social chamber and represents labor. Street is Director of the Woodworkers Department for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

SFI Inc.’s three chamber Board of Directors represents environmental groups social and economic interests equally.  Board members include representatives of government (like Marvin) labor (William) environmental (Chris), conservation, professional and academic groups, independent professional loggers, small family forest owners, labor and the forest products companies.

Congratulations to the new members, and we look forward to their continued contributions to the advancement of responsible forestry. You can read the full release and backgrounder on the board changes here.

We’ve heard from a lot of people and organizations over the past few weeks about dissatisfaction with the direction the USGBC is taking the forest certification benchmarks. The deadline to submit comments on this latest round has passed, but there is still more we can all do. Another way you can get involved and take action is by signing this petition for USGBC to open the LEED Rating System.

All credible certification standards, including SFI, ATFS, CSA, and PEFC should be recognized by LEED.
Why should you sign? Well, for a couple of reasons:

For the sake of our forests, our communities and the future of green building, I urge you to sign the petition. For more information about this issue, download SFI’s statement and read what voices in leadership roles are saying. From politicians to community leaders to forestry experts to environmental groups, all walks of life are taking a stance and recognizing SFI, ATFS and CSA as viable systems for the LEED Rating System.