Through the Woods: How NSF Is Helping to Preserve Our Forests

Did you know there are certifications for encouraging the planting, conserving and protecting of trees? Find out how NSF is behind worldwide forestry conservation practices.

Trees are good for us. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated how trees promote health and well-being by reducing air pollution and urban temperatures. There are countless other concrete benefits for people, society, the environment and even the economy. But with wildfires, climate change and the world’s constant state of flux, our beautiful forests may look a lot different in the future.

It’s essential to encourage planting, protection and health through well-managed and sustainable forests.

That’s why it is so vital to encourage planting, protection and health through well-managed and sustainable forests, to lessen the effects of climate change and invest in the well-being of people and the planet. Like many of you, I’m always striving to seek out products that are good for my family and the Earth, like certified organic food. But did you know there are also certifications for saving our forests?

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative^® (SFI) is a partnership between NSF and the Soil Association Certification Forestry that works behind the scenes to protect forests worldwide and, ultimately, our health and well-being. The partnership develops responsible forest management standards that are then offered to the Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC). These standards are widely used and look beyond sustainably sourced wood and forest ecosystems to examine the entire supply chain and labor practices. That includes lumber, plywood, tissue and paper but also the fibers used for clothing and many of our household items.

As with any certification, it’s essential to understand precisely what the label means.

Here Our NSF Forestry Experts Outline What the Certifications Signify

Rx for Trees
Preserving forest health and ecosystems. That means monitoring the forest management system to balance commercial value with the protection of forest health and tree diversity.
Mother Earth
Organizations must show that the raw materials in their supply chain come from legal and responsibly managed sources.
Chain of Events
Fabrics must come from certified forests — from tree harvesting through the manufacturing process to the end product.
Lots of Wood
NSF oversees and safeguards sustainable forest management for more than 1.5 million hectares of forestry worldwide. For reference, a soccer field is less than 1 hectare in size.