Summary

The national forests have been the focus of controversy for many years. Reduced timber harvests, increased wildfire risks, degraded forest health, and disagreements among users and other stakeholders have led to congressional disputes over appropriate management. Some interests have suggested third-party certification of sustainable management of the national forests as a possible solution to many of these difficulties. This book outlines the history and development of forest certification as a voluntary, market-based mechanism to promote sustainable forest practices. The two major certification programs are described, compared and contrasted based on a broad range of sustainable forest management issues pertinent to the National Forest System.