What is involved in managing a Certified Forest?

In broad terms, managing a Certified Forest involves managing to a philosophy that seeks to minimise harm to the environment and the communities in which the business of forestry is conducted. This approach is guided by the FSC Principles and Criteria which, when translated into the New Zealand context, usually means;

PF Olsen FSC Group Scheme members are committed to:

• Stewardship of forests and the land.
• Documentation of actions and procedures specific to the forest (a management plan).
• Promoting high environmental performance standards that recognise the input of the community in which we operate (often implicit in the RMA requirements of New Zealand Law).
• Undertaking forest management that recognises the importance of indigenous ecological values and provides for the protection and where relevant and practicable, the enhancement of these forest components.
• Where relevant, applying the Principles and Criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council across forest management.
• Undertaking safe work practices and using safe machinery and equipment.
• Compliance with Group Member responsibilities as set out in the Group Member Manual, including minimum standards of record keeping, periodic audit and the implementation of Corrective Actions in accordance with schedules agreed with PF Olsen. Plantations must not have been established on land converted from indigenous forest after November 1994.
• A capability to track all certified log products from forest to point of sale.
• A commitment after any harvest, to re-establish or maintain an area of forest within the property similar to that existing at the time of certification.