Tuesday, 24 June 2025
Letter from the President – June: Scaling Impact
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it really means to scale FSC, not just in size or reach, but in impact and in meaning. How do we grow in a way that deepens our values to forests, to people, to the community and companies who choose this path with us?
One truth I keep coming back to is this, if we want FSC to realize its full promise, we need to awaken something bigger than ourselves. We need to stir demand, not just among those who already know us, but in the hearts of everyday people, in the choices of companies, in the stories products tell as they move from forest to shelf. Market demand isn’t just a force, it’s a current that has the power to carry our values through the entire supply chain.
That’s the connection I’m focused on right now. Because while we’re often told that no one is asking for FSC, I see something different. Every week, I hear from brands, retailers, landowners, and advocates who are asking. Who believe in FSC, who believe in you, and who are looking for ways to bring that belief to life.
The challenge is that this energy, this real desire for something better that is validated, doesn’t always flow where it’s needed. It can get stuck at the top of the chain, never quite reaching the forest floor, the mill, or the local community that makes responsible forestry possible. But I believe we can change that.
One way we’re helping that energy move is by creating spaces where ideas and momentum can build. Join us September 10th and 11th in St. Louis, Missouri for Stewardship in Action, a two-day event where we’ll unveil FSC US’s new three year strategic plan, explore big ideas through panels on FSC demand, ecosystem services, and rising leadership, and spend time connecting within and across membership chambers as we prepare for the upcoming General Assembly.
We are working every day to connect the dots, to ensure when someone chooses FSC, that choice ripples outward. That it supports not just well managed forests, but better livelihoods, stronger communities, and healthy ecosystems. That every certificate holder feels that demand, and knows their work is seen and valued.
I know progress can feel slow. I feel that too. But I also feel the momentum building. And I want you to know, you are not forgotten in this process. You are the reason we do this. The care you put into your work, the forests you manage, the standards you uphold, the people you support, matters deeply. To me, to FSC, and to a growing number of people who are waking up to what forests truly mean.
So if you see me staring off into the distance or lost in thought, it’s because I’m turning this over in my head, how to help that energy move, how to carry it further, and how to make sure it reaches you. We are in this together. Thank you for sticking with us. Thank you for everything you do. We’re building something enduring. And we’re not done yet.
Best,
-Sarah