Building Connections

Volume 1  Number 4

Institutions Embrace Green Wood
Procurement Policies
Ed Delhegan

The Cornerstone Project involves a coalition of institutions that have come together to explore ways to increase the purchase of sustainably produced Vermont goods beginning with wood products. The initiative, facilitated by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, seeks to harness the purchasing power of institutions and create demand for larger volumes of sustainable wood products, including certified wood. Demand would then stimulate the supply
of green products offered by landowners, therefore supporting value-added manufacturing in the state. "One motivation for this project was a desire to increase the connections between large institutions with the local economy and reduce the amount of money leaving the state" says project manager Edward Delhagen. According to the Vermont Job Gap Study conducted by the Peace and Justice Center, Vermont loses more than $8 billion annually in forest products, agriculture and energy and other sectors. For
more information, contact Ed Delhagen, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund; 802-828-0040; ed@vsjf.org;      www.vsjf.org.

 

Gardeners' Supply Company
Sells Green
Liz Lawrence

In 1999, Gardeners' Supply Company drafted a wood policy stating that within seven years, 80% of the company's wood products must come from Forest Stewardship Council-certified sources. In the three years since that commitment, 30% of Gardeners' wood products are certified and the company has dedicated a significant amount of catalog advertising space to educating consumers on sustainable forestry and certification. Although Gardeners' has seen some success in product sales, such as their popular Monet Garden Bench, the company has also experienced challenges. Regarding findings from a customer survey, Liz admits, "although people were glad to learn about FSC, they were buying products because they were pretty, not necessarily because they were FSC-certified." She recommended that much more education in the marketplace is needed. Gardeners' is sticking to its wood policy and other large retail and catalog companies are also beginning
to offer certified products. For more information, contact Liz Lawrence, Gardeners' Supply Company, 802-660-3500 x495; liz@gardeners.com;          www.gardeners.com/
 

A Walk in the Woods With David Brynn
and Steven Taylor

"The long and short of the matter is that forest conservation depends in part on intelligent consumption, as well as intelligent production of lumber."
Aldo Leopold "The Home Builder Conserves" (1928)

Stephen Taylor representing his logging and milling business, Vermont Heritage Wood, and David Brynn representing Vermont Family Forests lead Workshop Participants on a walk on Steven's land identifying the forestry practices he uses to ensure long term forest heath and productivity. The presenters described the indicators listed below, to build a connection between sustainable timber harvesting and processing with wood use. For more information contact Steven Taylor at 802- 453-5916.
 

What signs are there that this forest is being managed for long-term health? 
David Brynn, Vermont Family Forests

Silviculture

Trees harvested singly and in small groups.
Cavity and snag trees are retained.
There are large, down trees.
There are large trees.
There is a wide variety of native species.
The regeneration is natural.
Harvesting is avoided on steep slopes.
Branches and tops are left on the site.
The forest includes overstory, midstory, shrub, and herbaceous layers.
Few trees have logging wounds.
Domestic animals are prevented from grazing.

Access
Trails are free of deep ruts.
Roads and trails are relatively flat.
There are relatively few stream crossings.
Roads and trails are stable and have little or no soil erosion.
Log landings are nearly level, away from streams, and stable.
There are protective strips between trails and streams.
Streams are crossed with bridges or culverts.
Streams are free of sediment.
Water in streams is clear and cold.
Roads are gated to prevent unauthorized use.