Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Letter From The President - Wrapping Up 2024
Hello FSC community!
It’s been a couple of months since our last newsletter – not because we’ve been out of touch, but because we have been hard at work nationwide, connecting with partners and refining how FSC can deliver greater value to certificate holders and all who support sustainable forestry.
This fall, we gathered in Nashville with members and stakeholders for inspiration, networking, and a lively celebration of FSC’s 30th anniversary. I hope everyone who joined enjoyed the mix of discussions, learning, and festivities. It was wonderful seeing so many of you there!
Our team has been active at key events, including Sustainable Brands, New York Climate Week, Textile Exchange, and, as I write this, Greenbuild in Philadelphia. Why are we there? Because this is where the essential conversations are happening—about the green economy, carbon reduction and sequestration, biodiversity support, and the growing role of sustainability in supply chains. Thanks to strong partnerships with FSC International, FSC Investments and Partnerships, and FSC Canada, we’ve been able to bring FSC’s voice to these discussions. While some of these dialogues might not yield immediate benefits, staying present and active ensures we’re positioning FSC as a long-term partner in sustainability.
In the Southeast U.S., we’re hearing increasing demand for FSC-certified products, and we’re responding by strengthening the value we offer to our members, partners, promotional license holders, and certificate holders. Converting market signals into tangible demand is our goal, and we’re focused on enhancing the value of being part of FSC. Look for Southeast and Pacific Northwest regional FSC managers to be onboarded soon and assist in that effort.
FSC has been around for 30 years, and while we’ve made strides, less than 5% of US forestland is certified to our standard. That’s not enough. We’re committed to showing non-certified organizations the benefits of FSC certification. In areas where demand outstrips supply, we are building connections to encourage growth of certification. Given today’s climate and biodiversity challenges, FSC’s role as part of the solution is more relevant than ever.
Thank you for your ongoing support. I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful holiday season as we look forward to renewed outreach and new goals in the coming year.
Happy Holidays!
Warm regards,
Sarah