The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) is pleased to announce that Poison Springs State Forest, the Arkansas state forest managed by the Agriculture Department’s Forestry Commission, has earned certification to the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard through a rigorous third-party audit. Certifying to SFI sends a strong signal about Arkansas’s commitment to sustainable forest management, conservation, and economic opportunity for its citizens.
“It shows we are working to ensure that our forests will remain healthy and productive for generations to come. Certification to SFI also boosts our competitive position in national and international markets because we can demonstrate that our forest products come from well‑managed forests,” said Joe Fox, Arkansas’s State Forester.
The forest covers over 23,500 acres in western Ouachita and eastern Nevada counties. The Arkansas Forestry Commission manages it for multiple uses, including demonstrating good forest management practices, timber production, multiple recreational opportunities, water quality protection, research and wildlife habitat. The forest got its name from a nearby spring and it was the site of a Civil War battle of the same name.
“We are thrilled that the Arkansas Forestry Commission has demonstrated their leadership and commitment to responsible forest management. This state forest is also a showcase for the multiple values that well‑managed forests provide such as clean water, healthy habitats and sustainable jobs. At SFI, we believe caring for forests improves everyone’s quality of life,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc.
The commission joins other public agencies seeking cost-effective and efficient methods to implement and achieve independent SFI certification through the SFI Forest Partners® Program. The SFI Forest Partners Program was founded by Time Inc., the National Geographic Society, Macmillan Publishers and Pearson, with support from Hearst Enterprises.
more at: http://www.sfiprogram.org/media-resources/news/arkansas-state-forest-earns-certification-to-the-sfi-forest-management-standard/