Six state forest properties (Green River, Kentenia, Kentucky Ridge, Pennyrile, Peterson, and Tygarts) owned by the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) and four state forest properties jointly-owned by KDF and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (Big Rivers, Knobs, Marion County Wildlife Management Area and Marrowbone) were recently awarded American Tree Farm certification through the Center for Forest and Wood Certification’s Independently Managed Group. The properties – totaling 43,327 acres – are owned and managed for the purpose of recreation, wildlife management, timber production, and demonstration of sound forest management methods.
The new designation indicates that the state is using best management practices to keep the forests healthy and productive. Forest certification is also a means of notifying consumers that a wood or paper product comes from forests managed according to a set of environmental and social standards. The “certification” label on a wood product is much like the “organically grown” sticker on produce and is meant to address a growing demand by consumers who want to purchase products that come from well-managed forests that are sustainably and legally harvested.
“Tree farm certification recognizes that our state forests are well-managed and our work on state forests is verified by independent third party auditors,” said Leah MacSwords, director of KDF. “This designation not only recognizes our management efforts, but also helps Kentucky’s forest products stay competitive in a market where certification standards are desired.”
“Certification with the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) assures that Kentucky’s state forests are meeting the highest standards of sustainability. The partnership between ATFS and KDF’s leadership will help keep Kentucky’s forests healthy and productive for generations to come,” said Bettina Ring, senior vice president for family forests at the American Forest Foundation (AFF).
From Equities.com: https://www.equities.com/news/headline-story?dt=2012-12-04&val=784342&cat=material