Did you know...

In March of 2005, Beltrami, Becker, Carlton, Clearwater, Crow Wing and Koochiching Counties formed a Cooperative with the goal of achieving dual forestland management certification according to FSC Principles and SFI Standards.

Why did we come together to do this?

• We know certified forestland management is essential to the long term economic sustainability of the forestry community in our region.
• We want to manage our forests with due regard being taken of social and environmental issues.
• Certain segments of the retail sector are demanding timber from certified sources - this demand will only grow over time.
  

SGS Systems & Services Certification, Inc. certified the Cooperative’s processes as meeting Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standards in 2008 and Forest Stewardship Council™ Principles in 2009.   A Sustainable Forestry Initiative surveillance audit was conducted in 2009. Starting in 2010, we will be audited annually against both Forest Stewardship Council™ Principles and the new Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standards. County managed lands in Beltrami, Carlton, Clearwater, Crow Wing and Koochiching counties are now internationally recognized as sustainably managed forests.