Plum Creek Advocates Use of All Credible Forest Certification Programs

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 8, 2012-- Tom Lindquist, Plum Creek’s chief operating officer, recently joined the American Forest Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The American Forest Foundation (AFF), a nonprofit 501 (c) 3, works nationwide and in partnership with local, state and national groups to provide on-the-ground support to America’s 10 million family forest owners, giving them the tools they need to manage healthy and sustainable woodlands. The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of AFF, is the largest and oldest sustainable woodland system in America, internationally recognized, and meets strict third-party certification standards. ATFS-certified Tree Farmers are managing 27 million acres of forestland and follow Eight Standards of Sustainability in their management activities.

Plum Creek conducts its business with a strong commitment to the environment. All Plum Creek manufacturing facilities provide a preference for wood from lands third-party certified to credible programs, including ATFS and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) Standard. Plum Creek lands are entirely certified to the SFI® Standard, which combines the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the long-term protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality. SFI recognizes ATFS-certified forest content through SFI’s Chain of Custody certification.

“Plum Creek is proud to recognize ATFS, SFI and other credible forest certification standards and to unite with other forest products companies to advocate for the growth of certification standards like ATFS and SFI,” said Lindquist. “We recognize that consumers choose products they believe contribute to a healthy environment. ATFS, SFI and other certified wood sources provide an important measure of assurance toward meeting sustainable forestry expectations.”

“We are excited that Tom’s leadership on our Board will help promote the value of ATFS-certified wood sources. Our Tree Farmers are ready, willing and very able to provide Plum Creek customers with a steady supply of certified forest content to demonstrate a commitment to sustainable forestry,” said Tom Martin, President and CEO of AFF. “Strong markets for ATFS-certified wood helps family forest owners reinvest in their woodlands, which helps rural economies, while providing many other public benefits such as clean air and water, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities,” added Martin.

Plum Creek is the largest and most geographically diverse private landowner in the nation with approximately 6.6 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest. For more information, visit www.plumcreek.com.

Source: Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc.

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc.
Kate Tate, 206-467-3676