Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Letter from the President - Sarah's One Year Anniversary
As I approach my one-year anniversary with FSC US, I want to extend my gratitude to you – our members, certificate holders, promotional license holders, and stakeholders. Your support, insights, and dedication have been invaluable in driving this organization forward.
We just wrapped up a strategic retreat, looking ahead to where FSC US should be by the end of 2028. How many FSC-certified acres will we have in the US? How do we ensure we have the right people tackling the right challenges? As we dug into these questions, a familiar theme emerged – our priorities remain clear. One of our staff members even joked it felt like Groundhog Day! But that’s not a sign of stagnation, it’s proof that we know exactly what we need to solve.
Our Key Strategic Initiatives (remain much the same):
1. Return on investment for landowners – It just makes sense.
2. Make FSC more accessible – It needs to be more accessible to more people.
3. Resourcing FSC US – Strengthening our organization for greater impact.
4. Convening learning communities – Fostering collaboration for shared success.
The last point is an evolution of our work. We’ve seen firsthand how networking with diverse and like-minded organizations adds incredible value, and we’re doubling down on it. In mid-April, we’ll revisit these priorities with our board, and we want your input. Have ideas? Reach out to your board members now and ask for time to share your thoughts.
One of my biggest leadership lessons this year has been the power of diverse perspectives. Your voice matters. Whether at a stakeholder event, through a board member, or directly to me (s.billig@us.fsc.org), we want to hear from you, FSC US is here to support you, and I’m excited for what’s ahead!