Niedersächsische Landesforsten begins FSC certification pilot

The Niedersächsische Landesforsten has launched a five-year pilot process to implement Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification within its state forests. This initiative follows the withdrawal of Hessen and Sachsen from FSC certification.

The pilot program will focus on specific regions, including the Lauterberg and Rotenburg forestry offices, as well as the Lower Saxony portion of the Harz National Park. The certification process involves strict requirements regarding tree species selection, the preservation of ecologically valuable habitat structures, soil protection during harvesting, and the use of pesticides.

Forest Minister Miriam Staudte stated that while the state already implements sustainable management through the ‘LÖWE +’ standard, the FSC certification aims to make these environmental efforts more visible to the public. The move is intended to meet the high consumer and industrial demand for FSC-certified wood using domestic timber.