Reply by Dustin Ward (aka Tearen)

A little something for those of you who are concerned where their materials come from or how it is harvested:

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the only independent, not-for-profit membership organization that promotes good forest stewardship by certifying the practices of those who harvest timber.

The FSC bases its standards on international principles of sound forest management, which are adapted at the regional level by local environmental and conservation groups, community and economic development organizations, the timber industry, and the general public.

All wood products from FSC-certified sources bear the mark of the FSC. It’s your assurance that the wood you’re using came from well-managed forests using practices to ensure long-term availability.

fsc logo To achieve FSC certification, a forestry operation must:

• protect forest ecosystems
• protect water quality
• protect wildlife habitats & biological diversity
• respect the rights of indigenous peoples
• maintain the economic and social well-being of local communities
• conserve the forest’s economic resources
• engage in regular monitoring
• manage plantations to alleviate pressures on natural forests

To find out more about the FSC, visit their website at www.fsc.org.