Chestnut Carbon has become the first U.S.-based afforestation developer to earn certification under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) “Verified Impact” program for biodiversity by restoring over 16,000 acres of pasture and cropland to native forest across 25 sites in Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

FSC US is strengthening its focus on system integrity, expanding support for smaller forest owners and family forests, and rolling out new tools and resources to help certificate-holders adapt to evolving standards and market expectations.

FSC US representatives attended the California Forestry Association’s annual meeting in Sacramento, connecting with forestry professionals, policymakers, and partners to discuss sustainable forest management and upcoming FSC initiatives. The event featured panels and networking focused on forest innovation and stewardship across California.