Creating Positive Pathways

Each morning, before the meetings, emails, and decisions begin, I spend a few moments reflecting on a simple question: How does the work we do today help create positive pathways for people to support and recognize responsible forest management?

That question sits at the center of FSC US's mission and guides our three-year strategic plan. Whether we are engaging stakeholders, supporting certificate holders, strengthening supply chains, or developing new markets, our goal is ultimately the same: helping responsible forest management succeed.

This quarter provided several opportunities to advance that work.

In April, FSC staff from around the world gathered for our Global Staff Meeting to align around our shared mission and explore how we continue strengthening the value FSC brings to forests, people, and markets. In early May, we convened stakeholders in Milwaukee for our Lake States regional meeting, bringing together diverse perspectives to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing responsible forest management in the region. Later that month, I participated in the Markets Matter convening, where stakeholders from across industry, conservation, government, philanthropy, and academia explored opportunities to strengthen markets for lower-value and residual forest products. You'll find more on that discussion elsewhere in this newsletter.

At the end of June, we launched the Envoy to Bonn initiative, the culmination of more than six months of planning and stakeholder engagement. The delegation brought together U.S. stakeholders, FSC International staff, and European colleagues to better understand the opportunities and barriers facing FSC certification in the United States. Our goal is to identify practical opportunities for action that can support growth and impact for FSC in the U.S. market. These conversations will continue into 2027 through a return engagement in the United States, where we will work together to develop shared approaches to addressing the challenges and opportunities identified through this process.

While these activities may appear very different, they are all connected by a common purpose.

Where it all comes together is the forest.

Supporting forests means supporting the people who manage them, the businesses that depend on them, and the brands and retailers that help consumers connect their purchasing decisions to positive outcomes on the ground. Across stakeholder groups and sectors, we share a desire for forests that sustain healthy ecosystems, vibrant communities, and strong economies for generations to come.

That vision continues to guide our work every day, and I am grateful for the many members, certificate holders, partners, and stakeholders who are helping make it a reality.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Sarah Billig
President, FSC US