Forestry

Forest Certification in the United States

  • Social
  • Environmental
    Environment sustainability through conservation and environmental stewardship.

    Environmental Dimension

    • Using resources wisely
    • Complying with laws
    • Minimizing the impact of our facilities by operating in a safe, responsible and efficient manner
    • Reducing the adverse impact of our products in use
  • Economic
    Georgia-Pacific economic sustainability.

    Economic Dimension

    • Maintaining profitability
    • Managing the cost to customers and consumers to use our products
    • Making products that are preferred in the marketplace
    • Positively impacting our communities through local purchases of goods and services, taxes and other community support
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More than 56 percent of the United States forests are privately-owned, much of it by family forest owners. These family forest owners choose to manage their lands responsibly, but most do not participate in a forest certification program for various reasons, including costs and land management objectives. The 13 percent of United States forests that are certified are largely privately held by corporate entities.

Reasons for Owning Forests Vary

Family forest owners have many reasons for owning timberland, including beauty and scenery, protection of nature and biodiversity, family heritage and legacy, investment, hunting and fishing. Timber production is not a top priority for many family forest owners; however, those who are actively managing their forests often seek help from foresters who support the practice of sustainable forestry.

Sustainability and Legality

One proof of the success of sustainable forest management is forest coverage in the United States. For the past 100 years, total forest area has been stable, and actually grew by 2 million acres from 2000 to 2005. In the United States, the free market economy, private property ownership and a strong rule of law have created an environment where forests are responsibly and sustainably managed, and illegal logging is not an issue.

Forest certification is a complex issue that is often shaped by different land ownership patterns and governmental structures, as well as the economic realities of a region or country

Forest Certification Around
the World (U.S.)

Forest certification is a complex issue that is often shaped by different land ownership patterns and governmental structures, as well as the economic realities of a region or country. Learn more.

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The 13 percent of United States forests that are certified are largely privately held by corporate entities.

The 13 percent of United States forests that are certified are largely privately held by corporate entities.



More than 56 percent of the United States forests are privately-owned, much of it by family forest owners.

More than 56 percent of the United States forests are privately-owned, much of it by family forest owners.