The Michigan DNRE Forest Certification Program

In recent years, forest certification has developed as a way to verify sustainable forest management. It is an outgrowth of the desire of many communities in our nation, and throughout the world, for forest managers to demonstrate responsible, healthy, and sustainable management of our forests.

Forest Certification:

• Reviews on-the-ground forest practices against standards that address environmental, social, and economic issues.
• Provides for an independent, third-party view attesting to how effectively current management maintains a forest’s health and productivity.
• Periodically reverifies and recertifies after initial certification of the forest.

On May 28, 2004, Act No 125, Public Acts of 2004 was signed into law by Governor Granholm. The “Sustainable Forestry Act” required that as of January 1, 2006, the Department of Natural Resources and Environement seek and maintain forestry certification by at least one credible, non-profit, non-governmental certification program.

In December of 2005, Michigan's State Forests were certified under both the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).