{"id":17958,"date":"2017-02-06T21:42:19","date_gmt":"2017-02-06T21:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/162.217.168.59\/?p=17958"},"modified":"2023-03-22T13:00:54","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T17:00:54","slug":"louisiana-department-of-wildlife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forests.org\/fr\/louisiana-department-of-wildlife\/","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Earns Third-Party Certification to SFI on 490,000 Acres of WMA Property"},"content":{"rendered":"

LOUISIANA<\/strong> \u2013 The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has certified\u00a0approximately 490,000 acres of state-owned wildlife management area (WMA) forestland through\u00a0the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) 2015-2021 Forest Management Standard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is another method whereby LDWF can show that we\u2019re using proper stewardship managing\u00a0the property entrusted to us by the citizens of Louisiana,\u2019\u2019 LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet said.\u00a0\u201cThanks to the SFI Forest Partners Program, the public can remain confident that our forested\u00a0WMA land is managed in line with the high standards set by SFI. They can also be assured that\u00a0these forests will remain healthy and productive for generations to come.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

The SFI Forest Partners\u00ae Program was founded by Time Inc., the National Geographic Society,\u00a0Macmillan Publishers and Pearson, with support from Hearst Enterprises. They are investing in the\u00a0future of forests by making commitments to increase the source of certified forest products, starting\u00a0in the U.S. South. By collaborating on shared objectives and linking market leaders directly to\u00a0stakeholder groups, SFI and its Forest Partners are working together to strengthen forest practices\u00a0and procurement through certification.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe long-term success of Louisiana\u2019s forestry industry is dependent on sustainable management\u00a0of the state\u2019s natural resources,\u2019\u2019 Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said. \u201cIt significantly impacts\u00a0employment and manufacturing activity. We believe this endeavor boosts our state\u2019s commitment\u00a0to landowners and timber directors by investing in responsible forest management.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

SFI\u2019s 2015-2021 Forest Management Standard is based upon principles, goals and performance\u00a0measures that were developed nationally by professional foresters, conservationists and others\u00a0with the intention of promoting sustainable forest management in North America. SFI and its many\u00a0partners work together to balance environmental, economic and social objectives such as\u00a0conservation of wildlife habitat and biodiversity, harvesting forest products, protecting water quality,\u00a0providing forest industry jobs and developing recreational opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled that the LDWF has demonstrated their leadership and commitment to responsible\u00a0forest management by getting these lands certified to SFI,\u201d said Kathy Abusow, President and\u00a0CEO of SFI Inc. \u201cBy doing so, they are contributing to SFI\u2019s mission as a sustainability leader and\u00a0helping to conserve important habitats for the Louisiana black bear and other species. The LDWF\u00a0is also highlighting the importance of well-managed forests, and the communities and markets that\u00a0rely on them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Much of the 490,000 certified acres sits in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, an area heavily populated\u00a0by the Louisiana black bear.\u00a0\u201cThe Louisiana black bear and improving its habitat is certainly high on our list of management\u00a0concerns,\u2019\u2019 LDWF Forestry Program Manager Duck Locascio said. SFI\u2019s Forest Management\u00a0Standard helps provide assurances for the protection of rare species, including the Louisiana black\u00a0bear.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccredited third-party auditors evaluate the sustainability of our management of these\u00a0Department-owned forestlands,\u2019\u2019 Locascio said. \u201cCertification to SFI allows us to show the private\u00a0landowners we work with, that are interested in managing for wildlife and long-term forest\u00a0sustainability, that we\u2019re doing what we say we\u2019re doing and what we do works.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

The primary objective for LDWF is to manage these areas to sustain the wildlife populations\u00a0associated with the forestlands. The SFI certification will allow LDWF wood products to be\u00a0accepted into the market as sustainably managed wood. Revenue from that will be put back into\u00a0management of these lands by LDWF.<\/p>\n

\u201cCertification will increase the attractiveness of timber sales on our WMAs,\u2019\u2019 Locascio said. \u201cThat\u00a0will allow our managers greater opportunity and flexibility to provide wildlife habitat enhancement\u00a0treatments and, thus, further our primary mission to improve wildlife habitat and provide wildlife oriented\u00a0recreational opportunities.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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