More than 500,000 acres of forests in the state of Indiana have achieved FSC forest management certification.
Accreditation body Scientific Certification Systems said the certification would support more than 6,000 forest-based manufacturing jobs.
About 7,800 newly FSC-certified forest owners are now able to supply products to customers seeking environmentally responsible products bearing the FSC trademark.
Indiana has also earned the first state-administered group chain of custody certificate for 39 small sawmills and logging businesses which process harvested wood from the certified forests.
“Each 1,000 acres of timberland in Indiana directly supports 12 forest-based manufacturing jobs,” said Dr Robert J Hrubes, senior vice-president at Scientific Certification Systems.
“Certification ensures those jobs will enhance the green economy for years to come.”
