Cooperatives for Forest Sustainability

A workshop for landowners.

                     March 21, 2009, from 10 am to 2:00 pm

“Meet & greet” with coffee, tea & snacks 9-10 am

Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville

Sessions will include:

Certification for Sustainable Forestry

Harry Groot, manager of the Blue Ridge Forest Co-op will describe the ins and outs of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, and how his group is using it to affirm that their practices are sustainable and develop products demanded in the green marketplace.

Stories of Forest Cooperation

Hear how the Living Forest Cooperative (LFC) in Wisconsin and the Blue Ridge Forest Cooperative in Virginia are supporting growing networks of landowners in taking care of their land. Speakers will include Harry Groot and Kent Makela, Board President of LFC.

The Ohio Forestry Cooperative

Athens-area members of Ohio’s first forestry cooperative will describe some of the projects that members have implemented and provide an overview of membership benefits and services offered by the group.

For more information, contact Susi Rankis at susi@ruralaction.org or (740) 767-4938.

Hosted by the Appalachian Forest Resource Center, the Ohio Forestry Cooperative and Rural Action. Supported in part by the Ohio Environmental Education Fund and USDA Rural Development.