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Evolution of Sustainable Forestry in Wisconsin’s MFL

Evolution of Sustainable Forestry in Wisconsin’s MFL. Paul E. Pingrey MFL Study Committee September 9, 2010. What I’ll Cover:. A brief history of Sustainable Forestry Wisconsin MFL Group Certification How did we build it? What can we learn from it?

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Evolution of Sustainable Forestry in Wisconsin’s MFL

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  1. Evolution of Sustainable Forestry in Wisconsin’s MFL Paul E. Pingrey MFL Study Committee September 9, 2010

  2. What I’ll Cover: • A brief history of Sustainable Forestry • Wisconsin MFL Group Certification • How did we build it? • What can we learn from it? • Why updating MFL to reflect today’s concept of Sustainable Forestry is needed

  3. The Cradle of Forestry Gifford Pinchot was the first forester for the 125,000 acre Biltmore Estate.

  4. Pinchot’s Unfinished Business Gifford Pinchot, 1st Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and Governor of PA, lamented that the Federal Government was never able to control private logging. Photo Credit: USFS

  5. Same Mission, Different Tools Credit: USFS

  6. “Sound Forestry” Evolves (See Handout) WI FMG MFL-FSC FCL NR46 MFL 28.04 1927 1980 1985 1995 2007 2008 1949 1970Earth Day 1992 Rio Earth Summit 1995 Montreal Process 2008 WI Sustainability Framework

  7. “Sound Forestry” Evolves • Each step further affirms that sustainable economic, social and environmental systems are inextricably intertwined.

  8. Verification of Sustainability PEFC is a mutual recognition umbrella + 20 more throughout the world. Forest Stewardship Council Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

  9. U.S. Certified Land by Ownership 2009 – FSC, SFI, or Tree Farm Certified

  10. The Challenge… WI MFL stands out as BOLD action The largest gains in certified source wood can come from private family forest lands. The problem is, there are so many of them! 10 million nationally.

  11. Managed Forest Law Certified Group • 3 million acres are enrolled in Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law (MFL) program. • 2.2 million acres are owned by 42,000 “family forests” (the MFL Certified Group) • “Large” MFL parcels (mostly forest industry and REITs) not currently in the MFL Certified Group

  12. WI MFL Group Certification Step 1. June 2005– Tree Farm Group Certification “Wisconsin has achieved the Triple Crown of Forest Certification.” Governor Jim Doyle

  13. MFL Group Certification Step 2. Dec. 2008 -Dual FSC-Tree Farm certification Largest FSC group in the world!

  14. Complementary Standards 180 Indicators – Demanded by Business and Environmental Organizations 23 Indicators – Understood by Landowners

  15. MFL Certification Entirely Voluntary • WI DNR used an “opt-out” consent process • Of about 43,000 MFL parcels, only 901 disassociated with forest certification • Of those, 565 rejected Tree Farm; an additional 336 dropped when FSC was added. A 98% Participation Rate Certification Cost: Less than $2 per parcel

  16. “Selling Points” for Certification • Verified, responsible forestry plans • Proof to the public that MFL provides valuable environmental services that merits support • Access to the certified wood marketplace • Better logging jobs • Access enviro services markets

  17. What’s MFL Got Going For It? Tangible Incentives! Meaningful Property Tax Reductions

  18. What’s MFL Got Going For It? Timber Buyers Want Certified Wood! • Wisconsin pulpwood production fell by 33% since the recession that began in 2006, but MFL pulpwood sales have dropped only 1%. • Lumber production declined by 50% during the recession, but MFL sawtimber sales dropped only 12%. Source: WI DNR 2010

  19. Better Logging Jobs!

  20. Efficient Plan Delivery • Wisconsin Certified Plan Writer (CPW) Program (replaced 80,000 hrs/yr DNR spent on plan writing) • Expert System - Plan Writing Template

  21. Ecosystem Management Tools • Silviculture Handbook –Tree Marking and Retention Guidelines • Biomass Harvest Guidelines • Ecological Landscapes Handbook • Soil Disturbance Policy Directive • NHI and Cultural Databases • Invasive Species BMPs

  22. Social Networking Leadership

  23. Accountability • Mandatory practices • Plan enforcement mechanisms • Effective database system • Internal audits • Reliable, stable funding

  24. What’s Missing? A Sustainable Forestry purpose and definition that reflects current times (See 28.04, Wis. Stats for State Forests)

  25. Needed for: • Retention of current MFL participants • Outreach to the 80% of Family Forests not in MFL • Continued growth in the supply of certified wood for Wisconsin’s forest products industry

  26. Thank You! Paul Pingrey Pingrey Forestry Consulting, LLC paulpingrey@gmail.com

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