FSC Certified Wood

The US Green Building Council' s Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group requires that FSC-certified wood be used throughout a green home.

What does FSC mean?
In 1992 at the Earth Summit held in Rio, the attendees focused on threats to the world's natural resources. Land use and climate changes, combined with pollution, war, poverty, and cultural practices, threatened and continue to devastate resources such as minerals, water, forests, and air.

While very little was accomplished at that conference, there was one significant outcome. In 1993 a group of scientists, environmentalists, foresters, economists, and sociologists convened and formed the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established "to promote the responsible management of the world's forests and to improve forest management worldwide."

The international headquarters of FSC are located in Bonn, Germany and there are national offices in over forty countries. In 1995, FSC-US was created as the American chapter of FSC and its headquarters are located in Washington, D.C. FSC has established standards for forest management that are recognized in 57 countries.

In April 2008, the Unites States Green Building Council (which sets the standards required for a structure to be LEED-certified) issued very specific guidelines for builders to use related to lumber.

All of the wood being used in our green home is FSC-labeled and certified according to these regulations. That wood originated in FSC-certified forests and has not been mixed with non-FSC wood or wood products. From the framing to the cabinetry, all the wood must pass these standards.

It is logical to assume that a world-wide system of well-managed forests will continue to provide that natural resource to future generations. It is the responsibility of all of us to insist on only using FSC-certified wood for all home improvement projects and new construction.