The Center recently filed a letter to FSC-US in support of changing the group membership eligibility requirements for  loggers. Currently logging firms are required to have less than $5 million in revenue in order to join a group FSC chain-of-custody certificate (same as any other forest products company). Because of the Center's involvement with providing CoC solutions for loggers in eight states, we support changing the requirement to less than $5 million in revenue or less than 15 employees as long as the logger does not own an adjoining sawmill or concentration yard. Our experience has shown that logger involvement in CoC groups result in the adoption of common templates and load tracking systems that results in greater supply chain integrity. Groups are more effective at minimizing supply chain contamination than loggers holding individual certificates. Stay tuned to future editions of this newsletter for more details as they are available.

The Center wishes to thank our sustaining and supporting sponsors. Particular thanks are given to corporate sponsors providing sustaining multiple year commitments including Time Inc., Domtar Corporation, Central Appalachian Forestry Alliance, Mountain Association for Community and Economic Development, Kentucky Division of Forestry, and NewPage Corp. Sustaining contributions are also being provided by the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Department of Forestry, and the Kentucky Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee. Center also wishes to thank organizations for providing endorsement of the Center including the Kentucky Forest Industries Association, Tennessee Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee, Kentucky Chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters, and the Kentucky Woodland Owners Association. For more information about our partners and how you can support the Center's mission, goals, and projects please visit here.