Wood Matters

PF Olsen has welcomed ten Craigmore Sustainables forests into the PF Olsen Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) Group Scheme. The productive area of the Craigmore Northland estate is over 5,500 ha, complemented by nearly 1,400 ha of natural indigenous forest and vegetation. Craigmore are actively seeking to protect and enhance the natural values of the forests, and have so far retired and planted over 100 ha with indigenous species. Further Craigmore forests are planned for certification in the near future.

FSC certification is a robust process which sets the standard for forest managers on responsible forest management and reporting. It allows forest owners to demonstrate that forests are being managed sustainability in line with third party, independent environmental, social and economic standards. Craigmore’s Forestry General Manager John Barker says certification by the FSC reinforces the commitment of both Craigmore and PF Olsen to sustainable forestry. “The standards set and maintained by this certification demonstrate that we are growing healthy and resilient forests. As a globally recognised mark of trust, it helps to protect and strengthen our reputation and provides us with access to markets where customers are seeking FSC certified timber.”

A new FSC Standard for New Zealand came into force in April this year, and the bar is now set significantly higher than the previous national standard. The new NZ FSC Standard guides forest managers to:
 

#  Collaborate with iwi, neighbours, and local communities,

#  Support ecological management by maintaining and enhancing ecological values of the forests,

 #  Reduce or eliminate negative land use impacts, such as accelerated soil erosion.

PF Olsen manages New Zealand’s largest FSC Group Scheme. A Group Scheme allows forest owners- big and small- to attain cost-effective FSC certification by sharing the administrative overheads. Current membership is over 30,000 ha of productive area, ranging from woodlots to significant corporate holdings, with forests located throughout New Zealand. PF Olsen Environmental Manager Heather Arnold says, “PF Olsen is proud to have maintained and grown its FSC Group Scheme, and we look forward to working with Craigmore and other clients on further certifications to expand sustainable forestry in New Zealand”.

For more information on FSC and the FSC certified forests, see the PF Olsen website:
:FSC certification (pfolsen.com)