Discussion Papers
The Center is pleased to introduce its first Discussion Paper, "Research Forests and Managerial Perceptions of Green Certification". Papers in this series are intended to spark discussion and dialogue on specific topics. We welcome comments on all papers and suggestions for topic for future papers.
Green Certification
In November of 2004, Pack Forest achieved green certification of its forestlands. A factsheet summarizing the process, costs and expected benefits can be found here.
Purpose: Discovering, teaching and demonstrating the concepts of sustainable forestry, with special focus on advancing the strategic themes of the College.
• Sustainable Forest Enterprises
• Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management in an Urbanizing World
The Center will undertake programs of research, continuing education/outreach, demonstration and service in fields of natural resource and environmental science and management providing programmatic substance to the strategic themes of the College.
Vision: The Center will provide internationally recognized leadership for sustainable forestland management through research, demonstration, and technology transfer.
Mission: The Center will actively advance the concept and practice of sustainability, guided by the strategic themes of the College, engaging resource scientists, professionals, policy makers and communities.
Staffing: In addition to existing faculty expertise in the College, leadership may be provided by research faculty assigned responsibility to direct the affairs of the Center. It is expected that expertise in the social, economic and ecological sciences must contribute to the success of the Center.
Funding: Revenue from forest operations is expected to provide initial support. External funding such as state and federal grants, contracts for work and private gifts will be sought. The Center will become self-sustaining through a combination of external and internal sources supporting program enhancement and development.
Updating a Historic Purpose: The proposed vision and mission embrace the historic mission of Pack Forest originally defined 77 years ago. The term “conservation” was used then to describe the concept to be taught and demonstrated at Pack. At that time, “conservation” meant keeping land financially productive, largely through reforestation. While the term conservation is still valid, the College has adopted a much broader vision and mission that focuses on the concept of “sustainability”.
Operations: The Center will encompass the proposed new programs of sustainable forestry as well as management responsibility of the forest property and the conference center facilities. The Director for the Center will have budget and management authority for all of the Pack forest programs and operations.
Purpose of Forest Operations: provide revenue to support the programs of the Center and other college programs and to provide demonstration of forest operations consistent with the concepts of sustainable forestry.
Purpose of the Conference Center: support program activities of the Center with classroom/conference center facilities, residential accommodations and food service and to manage the buildings and grounds on the Conference Center campus at Pack Forest.
Purpose of the Sustainable Forestry Program: discovering, teaching and demonstration of sustainable forest resource management practices. Providing services associated with sustainable forestry such as forest certification consulting and technology transfer.
Partnerships: international recognition for leadership in sustainable forestland management can only be achieved through partnering with others with expertise and a stake in the issues. Following is a list of potential key partners:
• Washington State University Extension
• DNR State Lands and Stewardship Program
• Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Nisqually River Council
• Regional Colleges and Universities
Programs: the Center for Sustainable Forestry at Pack Forest (CSF-PF) can support existing programs in the College such as RTI, SMC, PFC, the Urban Ecosystem Initiative and others through partnerships in outreach and demonstration. But CSF-PF will also develop its own programs in service of implementing the strategic themes of the College. These might include:
• Watershed and Community Development
• Forestry Extension with focus on Sustainability (small landowner assistance)
• Forest Certification Services
• Landscape Management System
• Public Participation in Resource Management
• Forestry Forums