GreenLink Forest GreenLink Forest StewardsStewards

Landowner Guidelines For FSC Landowner Guidelines For FSC Group MembershipGroup Membership

Concern for the EnvironmentConcern for the Environment Wealth effect --- Affluence allows one to be Wealth effect --- Affluence allows one to be

concerned about things other than filling one’s concerned about things other than filling one’s stomach.stomach.

Health effect --- Concern about where the products Health effect --- Concern about where the products we consume come from, organic food has now we consume come from, organic food has now trickled over into organic wood.trickled over into organic wood.

Population effect --- Concern about whether our Population effect --- Concern about whether our planet can sustainably support continue population planet can sustainably support continue population growth; what will be the impacts on the overall growth; what will be the impacts on the overall environment and aesthetic qualities of life.environment and aesthetic qualities of life.

What is GreenLink?What is GreenLink? GreenLink Forest Resources LLC was founded by GreenLink Forest Resources LLC was founded by

Chester Kearse Jr. to serve as the group entity or Chester Kearse Jr. to serve as the group entity or group manager for the GreenLink Forest Stewards group manager for the GreenLink Forest Stewards Group, a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified Group, a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified group.group.

The GreenLink Forest Stewards group offers cost The GreenLink Forest Stewards group offers cost effective FSC certification and chain-of-custody for effective FSC certification and chain-of-custody for small and medium size landowners.small and medium size landowners.

GreenLink offers truly ‘independent’ FSC Group GreenLink offers truly ‘independent’ FSC Group Certification because there is no direct affiliation Certification because there is no direct affiliation whatsoever with any industry, conservation, or whatsoever with any industry, conservation, or forestland management organization.forestland management organization.

Who is the Forest Stewardship Who is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)?Council (FSC)?

Established in 1993 in response to concerns about global Established in 1993 in response to concerns about global deforestation especially tropical hardwoods.deforestation especially tropical hardwoods.

World Wildlife Fund (UK) unhappiness with the Earth World Wildlife Fund (UK) unhappiness with the Earth Summit of 1992 in Rio. Summit of 1992 in Rio.

Disappointment with world wide governments to reach Disappointment with world wide governments to reach consensus led to an independent, non-governmental, not-for-consensus led to an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit type structure.profit type structure.

Worldwide with a Democratic structured General Assembly. Worldwide with a Democratic structured General Assembly. (Environmental, Social, Economic chambers, equal (Environmental, Social, Economic chambers, equal representation between Northern & Southern Hemispheres)representation between Northern & Southern Hemispheres)

FSC has few employees. It sets standards and authorizes FSC has few employees. It sets standards and authorizes certifiers. Landowners hires Certifiers or 3rd Party Auditors.certifiers. Landowners hires Certifiers or 3rd Party Auditors.

361 million acres certified worldwide.361 million acres certified worldwide.

Why FSC Certification?Why FSC Certification? Our region’s Our region’s paper mills need FSC certified fiberpaper mills need FSC certified fiber to to

maintain market share. FSC is unique from SFI with maintain market share. FSC is unique from SFI with FSC holding a 4 to 1 advantage in marketplace.FSC holding a 4 to 1 advantage in marketplace.

Brand identificationBrand identification for forest commodity products. for forest commodity products. GreenLink’s certifying body is Smartwood GreenLink’s certifying body is Smartwood (Rainforest Alliance) so FSC and RA trademarks are (Rainforest Alliance) so FSC and RA trademarks are available.available.

FSC is a FSC is a worldwide recognized forest stewardship worldwide recognized forest stewardship standard,standard, particularly by conservation groups. particularly by conservation groups.

Independent 3Independent 3rdrd party audits party audits assure landowners that assure landowners that their property is well-managed, provides strong back-their property is well-managed, provides strong back-up for land managers.up for land managers.

Certification can be Certification can be useful for conservation useful for conservation easementseasements or entering or entering new marketsnew markets such as carbon such as carbon credits. credits.

Certified Acres by Region 2011Certified Acres by Region 2011

RegionRegion Total Total Forest Ac.Forest Ac.

SFI SFI CertifiedCertified

Tree Farm Tree Farm CertifiedCertified

FSC FSC CertifiedCertified

Minn., Minn., Wis., Mich.Wis., Mich.

52.2 mil52.2 mil 16.0 mil16.0 mil 3.6 mil3.6 mil 17.0 mil17.0 mil

Maine, NH, Maine, NH, New YorkNew York

41.2 mil41.2 mil 7.6 mil7.6 mil 1.8 mil1.8 mil 6.6 mil6.6 mil

La., Ark., La., Ark., Miss.Miss.

52.7 mil52.7 mil 7.9 mil7.9 mil 4.1 mil4.1 mil 1.8 mil1.8 mil

Ga., SC, Ga., SC, NCNC

56 mil56 mil 4.7 mil4.7 mil 3.4 mil3.4 mil 17,320 ac 17,320 ac total !!!total !!!

The Power of BrandingThe Power of Branding

Forest Stewardship Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)Council (FSC)

Rainforest Alliance Rainforest Alliance ‘Smartwood Program’ ‘Smartwood Program’

October 10, 2011Kimberly-Clark Becomes First U.S. Branded Consumer Tissue Maker to Adopt

Forest Stewardship Council's Sustainable Fiber Sourcing StandardsKleenex and Scott Naturals Brand Consumer Products Carry FSC Label

DALLAS, October 10, 2011-Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) today announced it is the first U.S. tissue maker to offer branded consumer tissue products that meet the rigorous sustainable sourcing requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council

(FSC). Kimberly-Clark's Kleenex brand facial tissue and Scott Naturals brand products sold in North America now include fiber sourced from suppliers who have been

independently certified to follow the highest standards in forestry management while also protecting high conservation-value forests and habitat. Consumers can now identify FSC-

certified Kleenex and Scott brand products by the FSC label on every package."This action is a major milestone in K-C's sustainability journey and a significant step forward in the consumer adoption of FSC-certified fiber for bathroom tissue,

facial tissue and paper towels," said Suhas Apte, vice president - global sustainability. "K-C's commitment to FSC certification for its Kleenex and Scott

Naturals brands will grow the demand for sustainably sourced fiber and will encourage more suppliers to practice responsible forest management."

Why Group Certification?Why Group Certification? Because of the cost to hire third-party auditors, group Because of the cost to hire third-party auditors, group

membership is the only cost effective means for a membership is the only cost effective means for a small landowner to become certifiedsmall landowner to become certified

The group manager and his personnel are available to The group manager and his personnel are available to offer advice and make recommendations to aid in offer advice and make recommendations to aid in compliance with FSC principles and criteria.compliance with FSC principles and criteria.

Recordkeeping and auditing is managed at the group Recordkeeping and auditing is managed at the group level saving landowners/managers time.level saving landowners/managers time.

Potential exists in marketing efforts as the Potential exists in marketing efforts as the ‘GreenLink Forest Stewards Group’ that is part of the ‘GreenLink Forest Stewards Group’ that is part of the ‘Smartwood’ program. ‘Smartwood’ program.

How does GreenLink Function?How does GreenLink Function? GreenLink Forest Resources LLC is Group Manager and GreenLink Forest Resources LLC is Group Manager and

FSC Group Certificate holder. FSC Group Certificate holder. (SW-FM/COC 005677)(SW-FM/COC 005677)

Group manager acts only as the gatekeeper or liaison Group manager acts only as the gatekeeper or liaison with the Certifying Body (Smartwood) and FSC.with the Certifying Body (Smartwood) and FSC.

Landowner and/or resource professional are responsible Landowner and/or resource professional are responsible for their own individual forestland management.for their own individual forestland management.

Group manager informs, advises, and inspects to make Group manager informs, advises, and inspects to make sure standards are being met by landowners.sure standards are being met by landowners.

Group manager maintains the group records, pays for Group manager maintains the group records, pays for audits and provides the chain-of-custody to the members audits and provides the chain-of-custody to the members of the GreenLink Forest Stewards Group.of the GreenLink Forest Stewards Group.

What Benefits does a Landowner Receive?What Benefits does a Landowner Receive?

Inexpensive FSC Chain-of-Custody certification; may or may Inexpensive FSC Chain-of-Custody certification; may or may not command a premium in the marketplace.not command a premium in the marketplace.

Detailed record keeping archive by GreenLink. Harvest Detailed record keeping archive by GreenLink. Harvest monitoring and management activity reports required yearly.monitoring and management activity reports required yearly.

Third-party review by GreenLink personnel and independent Third-party review by GreenLink personnel and independent FSC auditors; continuous improvement and peer reviewed FSC auditors; continuous improvement and peer reviewed back-up for land managers that is strictly confidential.back-up for land managers that is strictly confidential.

Access to a region specific forest management reference Access to a region specific forest management reference document that smaller landowners can refer to for detailed document that smaller landowners can refer to for detailed information regarding topics such as growth & yield, information regarding topics such as growth & yield, integrated pest management, silvicultural procedures, BMP’s, integrated pest management, silvicultural procedures, BMP’s, soil type determination, as examples.soil type determination, as examples.

What Landowners Does GreenLink What Landowners Does GreenLink Serve?Serve?

GreenLink is approved to operate in the Coastal Plain GreenLink is approved to operate in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions of Georgia, South Carolina and and Piedmont regions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.North Carolina.

GreenLink is divided into 2 subsets for auditing and GreenLink is divided into 2 subsets for auditing and management purposes. 1) Small Family Forests management purposes. 1) Small Family Forests <1000 ha (2470acres) and 2) Large Landowner <1000 ha (2470acres) and 2) Large Landowner subset, 2470 acres up to 20,000 acres. 70 acres is the subset, 2470 acres up to 20,000 acres. 70 acres is the minimum size forest eligible for membership.minimum size forest eligible for membership.

Only ‘forested’ acres are certified on a property and Only ‘forested’ acres are certified on a property and each legal entity is considered a unique forest.each legal entity is considered a unique forest.

All forms of private ownership are eligible.All forms of private ownership are eligible. The forest must be a ‘working’ forest.The forest must be a ‘working’ forest. GreenLink reserves the exclusive right to determine GreenLink reserves the exclusive right to determine

membership.membership.

What does membership cost?What does membership cost? One time initial enrollment, assessment and certification fee of One time initial enrollment, assessment and certification fee of

$1.00 per ‘forested’ acre.$1.00 per ‘forested’ acre. Annual management fee (currently $.35/acre) that is fixed for Annual management fee (currently $.35/acre) that is fixed for

a five-year period following enrollment.a five-year period following enrollment. Example: 650 acre tract has a GIS map showing 600 acres of Example: 650 acre tract has a GIS map showing 600 acres of

timberland and 50 acres of fields, pond and cabin. Therefore timberland and 50 acres of fields, pond and cabin. Therefore 600 acres are FSC certified.600 acres are FSC certified.

Year 1 – 600 acres X $1.35/acreYear 1 – 600 acres X $1.35/acre = $810= $810Year 2 – 600 acres X $.35/acreYear 2 – 600 acres X $.35/acre = $210= $210Year 3 – 600 acres X $.35/acreYear 3 – 600 acres X $.35/acre = $210= $210Year 4 – 600 acres X $.35/acreYear 4 – 600 acres X $.35/acre = $210= $210Year 5 – 600 acres X $.35/acreYear 5 – 600 acres X $.35/acre = $210= $210Total Cost over first 5 yearsTotal Cost over first 5 years =$1,650/5yrs/600ac.=$1,650/5yrs/600ac.Average Annual CostAverage Annual Cost =$.55/acre/year=$.55/acre/year

What Does the Group Manager Do?What Does the Group Manager Do?

Organizes and maintains the Group to FSC standardsOrganizes and maintains the Group to FSC standards Develops and maintains the procedures for Group Develops and maintains the procedures for Group

operation.operation. Maintains the records of the group and specifically Maintains the records of the group and specifically

archives the monitoring reports of individual archives the monitoring reports of individual members.members.

Assists and trains landowners and their forestry Assists and trains landowners and their forestry professionals with compliance issues.professionals with compliance issues.

Arranges and pays for third-party audits, group Arranges and pays for third-party audits, group certification.certification.

Assists in broad marketing efforts for the group.Assists in broad marketing efforts for the group. Monitors individual group member’s compliance.Monitors individual group member’s compliance.

What are the Landowner Responsibilities?What are the Landowner Responsibilities? Manage his/her property to FSC standards.Manage his/her property to FSC standards. Contact the Group Manager for clarification if Contact the Group Manager for clarification if

uncertainties arise about the appropriateness of a uncertainties arise about the appropriateness of a forest management practice.forest management practice.

Make their property and forest management records Make their property and forest management records ((non-proprietary information onlynon-proprietary information only) available to ) available to GreenLink and/or third-party auditor(s).GreenLink and/or third-party auditor(s).

Sign required membership participation documents.Sign required membership participation documents. Remit membership fees in a timely manner.Remit membership fees in a timely manner. Assess and formally report management activities on Assess and formally report management activities on

at least a yearly basis.at least a yearly basis.

How is FSC different from Tree How is FSC different from Tree Farm or SFI Certification?Farm or SFI Certification?

Because FSC was developed with the third-world Because FSC was developed with the third-world tropical forests in mind, it places more emphasis on tropical forests in mind, it places more emphasis on the social aspects of forest management. Ie. outside the social aspects of forest management. Ie. outside stakeholders, benefits to the community, labor.stakeholders, benefits to the community, labor.

Monitoring is a major component of the FSC system.Monitoring is a major component of the FSC system. Proof of sustainability, ie. allowable cut Proof of sustainability, ie. allowable cut

determination and implementation is very important.determination and implementation is very important. Plantation forestry is ‘tricky’ with FSC, covertype Plantation forestry is ‘tricky’ with FSC, covertype

conversion not allowed in most cases.conversion not allowed in most cases.

FSC has 10 Principles of Forest FSC has 10 Principles of Forest Stewardship versus Tree Farm’s 8 Stewardship versus Tree Farm’s 8

Standards of SustainabilityStandards of Sustainability FSCFSC1.1. Compliance with Laws, FSCCompliance with Laws, FSC2.2. Tenure & Use RightsTenure & Use Rights3.3. Indigenous People’s RightsIndigenous People’s Rights4.4. Community Relations, Community Relations,

Workers RightsWorkers Rights5.5. Benefits from the ForestBenefits from the Forest6.6. Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact7.7. Management PlanManagement Plan8.8. Monitoring & AssessmentMonitoring & Assessment9.9. Maintenance of HCVFMaintenance of HCVF10.10. PlantationsPlantations

Tree farmTree farm1.1.Commitment to Sustainable Commitment to Sustainable ForestryForestry

2.2.Compliance with LawsCompliance with Laws3.3.Reforestation & AfforestationReforestation & Afforestation4.4.Air, Water, and Soil ProtectionAir, Water, and Soil Protection5.5.Fish, Wildlife and BiodiversityFish, Wildlife and Biodiversity6.6.Protection of Biological Protection of Biological BiodiversityBiodiversity

7.7.Protection of Special SitesProtection of Special Sites8.8.Forest AestheticsForest Aesthetics

How are the FSC Principles How are the FSC Principles analyzed for compliance?analyzed for compliance?

1.1. Each Principle has numerous criteria that are used Each Principle has numerous criteria that are used to judge whether a Principle is being met.to judge whether a Principle is being met.

2.2. For each criterion, then there are indicators or For each criterion, then there are indicators or specific variables that tell whether a criterion is met specific variables that tell whether a criterion is met in a regional context and that also specifically states in a regional context and that also specifically states desired management outcomes.desired management outcomes.

3.3. Finally a verifier is an example of a way in which a Finally a verifier is an example of a way in which a forest management condition can be assessed to forest management condition can be assessed to determine whether an indicator has been met.determine whether an indicator has been met.

Example of a Principle being met.Example of a Principle being met. Principle #5 – Principle #5 – Benefits from the ForestBenefits from the Forest (Forest (Forest

Management operations shall encourage the efficient use of Management operations shall encourage the efficient use of the forests multiple products and services to ensure economic the forests multiple products and services to ensure economic viability and a wide range of environmental & social benefits.) viability and a wide range of environmental & social benefits.) Focus is on making efficient use of harvested resources and Focus is on making efficient use of harvested resources and maintaining the capacity of the forest to provide long-term maintaining the capacity of the forest to provide long-term economic, social and environmental benefits.economic, social and environmental benefits.

Criterion 5.6 – Criterion 5.6 – The rate of harvestThe rate of harvest of forest products of forest products shall not exceed levels which can be permanently shall not exceed levels which can be permanently sustained.sustained.

Indicator 5.6a – Sustained Yield harvest level documented in Indicator 5.6a – Sustained Yield harvest level documented in management plan. Verifier – Mgmt plan, is info correct?management plan. Verifier – Mgmt plan, is info correct?

Indicator 5.6b – Average annual harvest levels, over 10 year Indicator 5.6b – Average annual harvest levels, over 10 year rolling periods, do not exceed calculated sustained yield. rolling periods, do not exceed calculated sustained yield. Verifier – Audit of yearly activity reports to calculate harvest Verifier – Audit of yearly activity reports to calculate harvest levels. levels.

Things you must know….Things you must know….

1.1. FSC PrinciplesFSC Principles2.2. Audit ProcessAudit Process3.3. Management Plan requirementsManagement Plan requirements4.4. Monitoring requirementsMonitoring requirements5.5. Chain-of-Custody requirementsChain-of-Custody requirements6.6. Leaving the GroupLeaving the Group7.7. Corrective Action Request Process (CAR)Corrective Action Request Process (CAR)8.8. Suspension or ExpulsionSuspension or Expulsion9.9. Complaints ProcessComplaints Process

FSC PrinciplesFSC Principles

1.1. Compliance with Laws and FSC PrinciplesCompliance with Laws and FSC Principles Forest Management shall respect all Forest Management shall respect all applicable laws of the country (USA) in applicable laws of the country (USA) in which they occur and international treaties to which they occur and international treaties to which the country (USA) is a signatory, and which the country (USA) is a signatory, and comply with all FSC Principles and Criteria.’comply with all FSC Principles and Criteria.’

2.2. Tenure and Use Rights and ResponsibilitiesTenure and Use Rights and Responsibilities ‘Long term tenure and use rights to the land and ‘Long term tenure and use rights to the land and forest resources shall be clearly defined, forest resources shall be clearly defined, documented and legally established.’documented and legally established.’

3.3. Indigenous People’s Rights Indigenous People’s Rights ‘The legal and customary rights of indigenous ‘The legal and customary rights of indigenous peoples to own, use and manage their lands and peoples to own, use and manage their lands and resources shall be recognized and respected.’resources shall be recognized and respected.’

4.4. Community Relations and Worker’s RightsCommunity Relations and Worker’s Rights ‘Forest management operations shall maintain or ‘Forest management operations shall maintain or enhance the long-term social and economic well enhance the long-term social and economic well being of forest workers and local communities.’being of forest workers and local communities.’

5.5. Benefits from the Forest Benefits from the Forest ‘Forest management operations shall ‘Forest management operations shall encourage the efficient use of the forest’s encourage the efficient use of the forest’s multiple products and services to ensure multiple products and services to ensure economic viability and a wide range of economic viability and a wide range of environmental and social benefits.’environmental and social benefits.’

6.6. Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts ‘Forest management shall conserve ‘Forest management shall conserve biological diversity and it’s associated biological diversity and it’s associated values, water resources, soils, and unique values, water resources, soils, and unique and fragile ecosystems and landscapes, and, and fragile ecosystems and landscapes, and, by so doing, maintain the ecological by so doing, maintain the ecological functions and integrity of the forest.’functions and integrity of the forest.’

7.7. Management PlanManagement Plan ‘A management plan – appropriate to scale ‘A management plan – appropriate to scale and intensity of operations – shall be written, and intensity of operations – shall be written, implemented and kept up-to-date. The long-implemented and kept up-to-date. The long-term objectives of management, and the term objectives of management, and the means of achieving them, shall be clearly means of achieving them, shall be clearly defined.’defined.’

8.8. Monitoring and AssessmentMonitoring and Assessment ‘Monitoring shall be conducted – ‘Monitoring shall be conducted – appropriate to scale and intensity of appropriate to scale and intensity of management – to assess the conditions of management – to assess the conditions of forest, yields of forest products, chain-of-forest, yields of forest products, chain-of-custody, management activities, and their custody, management activities, and their social and environmental impacts.’social and environmental impacts.’

9.9. Maintenance of High Conservation Value Maintenance of High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) Forests (HCVF) ‘Management activities in high conservation ‘Management activities in high conservation value forests shall maintain or enhance the value forests shall maintain or enhance the attributes which define such forests. attributes which define such forests. Decisions regarding HCVF’s shall always be Decisions regarding HCVF’s shall always be considered in the context of a precautionary considered in the context of a precautionary approach.’approach.’

10.10. PlantationsPlantations ‘In addition to compliance with the above ‘In addition to compliance with the above principles, plantations should complement principles, plantations should complement the management of, reduce pressures on and the management of, reduce pressures on and promote the restoration and conservation of promote the restoration and conservation of natural forests.’natural forests.’

Audit ProcessAudit Process Auditing for compliance is the key aspect of any Auditing for compliance is the key aspect of any

forest certification scheme.forest certification scheme. Forest Stewardship Council sets out Principles and Forest Stewardship Council sets out Principles and

Criteria while independent certifying bodies approved Criteria while independent certifying bodies approved by FSC actually perform the auditing. GreenLink by FSC actually perform the auditing. GreenLink uses Smartwood.uses Smartwood.

You must allow GreenLink and Smartwood access to You must allow GreenLink and Smartwood access to your property for audit inspections.your property for audit inspections.

Properties selected for audit in the GreenLink Forest Properties selected for audit in the GreenLink Forest Stewards Group for a particular year are random and Stewards Group for a particular year are random and based on a statistical sampling model.based on a statistical sampling model.

Information collected during an audit is strictly Information collected during an audit is strictly confidential and auditors or GreenLink personnel confidential and auditors or GreenLink personnel have no legal rights or jurisdiction over a landowner have no legal rights or jurisdiction over a landowner whatsoever.whatsoever.

Management Plan RequirementsManagement Plan Requirements(Appropriate to Scale)(Appropriate to Scale)

Management ObjectivesManagement Objectives Description of forest resources; land use and Description of forest resources; land use and

ownership status, socio-economic conditions, profile ownership status, socio-economic conditions, profile of adjacent landsof adjacent lands

Detailed stand maps including protected sites.Detailed stand maps including protected sites. Calculation of growth, annual harvest rates, species Calculation of growth, annual harvest rates, species

selectionselection Silvicultural systems and harvest method Silvicultural systems and harvest method

justification.justification. Provisions for monitoring growth and activities.Provisions for monitoring growth and activities. Environmental safeguards required, ex. BMP’s.Environmental safeguards required, ex. BMP’s. Plans for identifying and protecting rare,threatened or Plans for identifying and protecting rare,threatened or

endangered species. Also protection of cultural sites.endangered species. Also protection of cultural sites.

Monitoring RequirementsMonitoring RequirementsInternal Group Monitoring vs. Property Level ReportingInternal Group Monitoring vs. Property Level Reporting Internal Group Monitoring is conducted by Internal Group Monitoring is conducted by

GreenLink personnel to verify compliance, educate GreenLink personnel to verify compliance, educate and advise, so that potential problems are avoided and advise, so that potential problems are avoided during the formal audit process. Large Landowners during the formal audit process. Large Landowners are visited yearly while the smallest landowners will are visited yearly while the smallest landowners will be visited at least once over a 3 year period.be visited at least once over a 3 year period.

Property level monitoring and reporting is done by Property level monitoring and reporting is done by Landowners or their Forestry Professionals. A yearly Landowners or their Forestry Professionals. A yearly forest activities report is required and a harvest forest activities report is required and a harvest report/checklist must be filed with GreenLink after report/checklist must be filed with GreenLink after each individual harvest operation. each individual harvest operation.

Chain - of - CustodyChain - of - Custody

Chain-of-Custody (COC) refers to the process of Chain-of-Custody (COC) refers to the process of tracking forest products from individual forests into tracking forest products from individual forests into the production process so that end-users can be the production process so that end-users can be assured the wood products they purchase are from assured the wood products they purchase are from sustainable, ‘certifed’ forests.sustainable, ‘certifed’ forests.

You will be entitled to use the GreenLink Forest You will be entitled to use the GreenLink Forest Stewards (COC) number.Stewards (COC) number.

However, you must follow exactly the rules involving However, you must follow exactly the rules involving contracts and/or purchase orders as outlined in the contracts and/or purchase orders as outlined in the GreenLink Member Handbook to assure the integrity GreenLink Member Handbook to assure the integrity of the process. of the process.

If You Wish to Leave the GroupIf You Wish to Leave the Group

You may choose to leave the Group at any You may choose to leave the Group at any time with no obligations whatsoever. time with no obligations whatsoever. However membership and management fees However membership and management fees will not be refunded by GreenLink.will not be refunded by GreenLink.

If you choose to move to another FSC group If you choose to move to another FSC group then GreenLink will assist in file transfers.then GreenLink will assist in file transfers.

If you choose to leave, then a letter stating the If you choose to leave, then a letter stating the reasons for withdrawal and the date of reasons for withdrawal and the date of effective withdrawal is requiredeffective withdrawal is required

Corrective Action Request (CAR)Corrective Action Request (CAR) This is a formal process to address This is a formal process to address

landowner deficiencies found by a landowner deficiencies found by a GreenLink Internal Monitor or Certifying GreenLink Internal Monitor or Certifying Body Auditor.Body Auditor.

GreenLink Manager follows 3 Steps: GreenLink Manager follows 3 Steps: 1) Formally record the problem and communicate with the 1) Formally record the problem and communicate with the landowner or representative. 2) Follow-up with Landowner landowner or representative. 2) Follow-up with Landowner to see that he has studied the problem and has a plan for to see that he has studied the problem and has a plan for resolution. 3) Confirmation that the problem has been resolution. 3) Confirmation that the problem has been resolved.resolved.

A CAR Form is issued to the Landowner so that all the A CAR Form is issued to the Landowner so that all the details of the problems are outlined and the process details of the problems are outlined and the process followed correctly.followed correctly.

Suspension or ExpulsionSuspension or Expulsion Failure to correct a CAR, failure to pay fees, Failure to correct a CAR, failure to pay fees,

improper use of the chain-of-custody number are improper use of the chain-of-custody number are examples of issues that may warrant suspension or examples of issues that may warrant suspension or expulsion.expulsion.

Member will be notified by certified letter and 60 day Member will be notified by certified letter and 60 day suspension starts immediately. Manager has option suspension starts immediately. Manager has option to extend suspension longer than 60 days. Chain-of-to extend suspension longer than 60 days. Chain-of-Custody cannot be used while in suspension.Custody cannot be used while in suspension.

If a member cannot rectify the problem then If a member cannot rectify the problem then expulsion occurs.expulsion occurs.

ComplaintsComplaints If a Group Member has a complaint against the If a Group Member has a complaint against the

Group Manager then he/she can submit the complaint Group Manager then he/she can submit the complaint in writing and with a follow-up phone call.in writing and with a follow-up phone call.

The Group Manager will respond within 30 days.The Group Manager will respond within 30 days. If the Member is not satisfied with the response, then If the Member is not satisfied with the response, then

the Member and Manager will abide by the decision the Member and Manager will abide by the decision of the Complaint Resolution Committee, a committee of the Complaint Resolution Committee, a committee made up of 3 retired forestry professionals not made up of 3 retired forestry professionals not affiliated in any other way with GreenLink.affiliated in any other way with GreenLink.

The Complaint Resolution Committee will also be The Complaint Resolution Committee will also be called upon for consultation should outside parties called upon for consultation should outside parties file a complaint against the entire Groupfile a complaint against the entire Group

What If You Are Interested?What If You Are Interested?

1.1. Understanding this presentation is Step #1, ask Understanding this presentation is Step #1, ask questions !!!!questions !!!!

2.2. Show you can meet the pre-enrollment criteria Show you can meet the pre-enrollment criteria including a management plan that meets FSC including a management plan that meets FSC requirements.requirements.

3.3. Review the GreenLink Handbook; understand and Review the GreenLink Handbook; understand and ask more questions about how the group operates.ask more questions about how the group operates.

4.4. Finally, there is an on-the-ground inspection of the Finally, there is an on-the-ground inspection of the property by the GreenLink Group Manager to property by the GreenLink Group Manager to assess eligibility before sign-up.assess eligibility before sign-up.

In SummaryIn Summary If you are a good Land Steward, do not mind If you are a good Land Steward, do not mind

paperwork, and would like peer review of paperwork, and would like peer review of your forest management, then FSC your forest management, then FSC certification may be something to consider.certification may be something to consider.

It seems to be the way the world is going and It seems to be the way the world is going and our paper companies need to source more and our paper companies need to source more and more FSC wood fiber in a region with little more FSC wood fiber in a region with little currently available.currently available.

GreenLink Forest Stewards offers a cost GreenLink Forest Stewards offers a cost effective and independent way to obtain FSC effective and independent way to obtain FSC certification. certification.