Across North America, forests provide important benefits. They protect and improve water and air quality, offer habitat for wildlife and serve as home to a wide range of plant species.
When a forest is managed sustainably, it can also provide longterm value for landowners. In fact, many landowners throughout the southeastern US have relied on forests for decades as a means of generating an ongoing source of income. This income isn’t only a personal benefit – it also serves as an incentive for landowners to continue taking care of their forest, maintaining it for years to come. One way to achieve this is through Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
Dusty Freeman and his family are landowners who live in Chesterfield, South Carolina. With financial help from Domtar and guidance from Milliken Forestry Company, they have come to believe in the benefits of FSC. This is their story.
Collaborating for sustainability
Dusty Freeman has always managed his land in a sustainable manner. In fact, it’s in his blood. His land was passed down from his father, Tuni, who worked in the timber business for decades.
Freeman didn’t always see the value in FSC. His philosophy was simple: he just did the right thing. However, over the years, it became clear that FSC certification had its benefits, including access to a wider range of companies that prefer to purchase certified fiber. Despite this, the process itself seemed unmanageable and costly.
That’s where Domtar came in. By working with Milliken, Domtar helped to fund the FSC certification process, which involves comprehensive auditing and recording to account for a wide variety of environmental factors, such as carbon sequestration, topsoil quality and the protection of animal habitat. As a result, Domtar began purchasing timber from Freeman’s land for its Bennettsville Mill.
“We are real close to Domtar,” said Freeman. “They are 35 miles from our home. They are basically in our backyard. We have local residents who work there, and it’s a good thing. It’s a win-win situation.”
Although he practiced responsible forestry before associating with Domtar, FSC certification required Freeman to pay even closer attention to his impact.
“We always wanted to do the right thing,” Freeman said. “We yearned to do the right thing. It’s a tip of the hat – getting certified, and getting a premium on our product through Domtar.”
To Freeman, the difference between his land and nearby mismanaged plots is clear. Trees in FSC certified forests are well spaced, so that they provide habitat for wildlife. This form of management allows sunlight to reach the forest floor, which is beneficial for low-growing vegetation.
“Up here, there’s a lot of mismanaged land, where they let it grow with vines and weeds – and they’re all about dollars and cents. They grow the timber, cut it, and be done with it,” he said.
FSC certification, on the other hand, is about much more than turning a profit. It’s about ensuring that forests provide a healthy, well-rounded ecosystem. Freeman’s land is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including deer, turkey, wild hogs, quail, duck, fish, rabbits and migratory birds. These animals are able to feed on the healthy, tender vegetation. Freeman hopes that, through setting a positive example, he will encourage others to explore FSC certification as well.
“When people ride along the roads and say, ‘man, that looks good’, hopefully they will want to join.”
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