The Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit conservation organization, has granted a new responsible logging certification called SmartLogging to a program in Maine managed by the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands, a non-profit organization formed by logging contractors that aims to enhance the health of the state’s working forests and develop market-based incentives for responsible forestry. SmartLogging is intended to complement Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and recognize responsible harvesting practices. To earn certification, loggers must meet standards that include harvesting in compliance with laws and regulations, the use of a landowner-endorsed harvesting plan, and the application of logging techniques that protect soils, water, wildlife habitat and workers.

News notes are courtesy of Southern Forests Network News Notes
www.southernsustainableforests.org