Verso Launches Forest Certification Program for Lands near its Mills

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"Verso's Forest Certification Grant Program helps us meet two important sustainability commitments," says Verso SVP for Manufacturing and Energy Lyle Fellows. "By encouraging expanded forest certification, we're advancing responsible management practices that keep U.S. forests vibrant and healthy. We're also helping to increase the available supply of certified fiber which, in turn, allows us to keep our pledge to provide paper products that help our customers meet their own sustainability objectives," he says.

Verso SVP for Sales, Marketing, and Product Development Mike Weinhold explains that "Verso already uses a high percentage of fiber that's certified to credible forest management certification standards—about 70%—but the availability of certified fiber in the U.S. remains limited with only about 28% of privately owned U.S. land certified. With customer demand for certified paper products increasing significantly, it's vital that we do all we can to make sure the supply of certified fiber keeps pace."

The Forest Certification Grant Program builds on Verso's track record of successful forest certification expansion initiatives. In 2011, the company completed a two-year group certification project in partnership with several of its customers and other stakeholders that resulted in an additional 1.4 million certified acres in Maine. In 2009 and 2010, a Verso grant to the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands resulted in 160,000 additional certified acres across six Northeast states. Verso regularly encourages certification through collaboration with state forestry associations and certification organizations, and through its relationships with private landowners.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Verso Forest Certification Grant Program or in obtaining a grant application may contact Greg Barrows.