Press Release
FORESTRY STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL SEAL OF APPROVAL FOR DUNSTER CHRISTMAS TREES
7 December 2007
A recent independent audit, carried out by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) on The Crown Estate’s Dunster woodlands, has found that high standards of sustainable forest management continue to be implemented.
Christmas is of course fast approaching and - thanks to the FSC audit - Christmas trees now being sold from the Dunster forest proudly wear the coveted FSC logo alongside the usual Christmas decorations and trimmings.
Endorsed by organisations such the as World Wildlife Federation and Greenpeace, the FSC ensures approved working and environmental and social practices are implemented by foresters across the UK. The Crown Estate’s attention to sustainable timber production; long term forest planning; the provision of waymarked paths and trails; the development of heathland habitats for wildlife; protection of woodland conservation areas; and the provision of educational services for local communities, were all stringently assessed by the FSC at Dunster.
With all Crown Estate woodlands re-certified until 2010 under the United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) Crown Estate timber customers can be sure their products are derived in an environmentally sustainable manner, with full attention paid everyday to issues such as long term forest planning, ecological impact, forest design, wildlife management and local employment opportunities.
Andrew Wells, The Crown Estate’s Countryside and Forestry Services Manager said: “The continued endorsement from the FSC rightly recognises of the commitment, hard work and efforts of The Crown Estate’s local forestry staff towards biodiversity, engaging with the local community and improving public access and recreational facilities within the Dunster woodlands. It must be remembered that all of this work continues against a background of maintaining commercial viability in the face of difficult trading conditions in the UK timber industry.”
Douglas Orr, UK and Ireland Programme Manager at global auditors SGS, who carried out the audit, added: “The Crown Estate continues to demonstrate an exemplary commitment towards maintaining compliance and its own required standards quite frequently exceed the requirements of the FSC and UKWAS. The quality of management input into the economic, social and environmental aspects of the UKWAS on many of its forested estates is outstanding and exemplifies The Crown Estate's three main driving principles of Commercialism, Integrity and Stewardship.”
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