56 | FORESTRY PF Olsen Ltd: 50th Anniversary FSC scheme making a difference from page 54 The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) certification scheme was developed in 1993, primarily in response to the worldwide decline of forests and mounting concern over the conditions in which forest products were produced. Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST? “For the environment and community, the benefits are substantial, “ says Heather. PF Olsen currently manages 18,343 ha of FSC® certified forests, including 4,000 ha of protected indigenous forest, with high demand from forest growers for their forests to be certified under the PF Olsen group scheme. To be certified, forest owners and managers commit to ensuring that they manage their forests in an environmentally and socially sustainable and acceptable way. Each certified forest is covered by a management plan, which requires reporting, environmental monitoring and preservation of high conservation value areas, such as Significant Natural Areas. “In some forests, surveys for bats and lizards might be undertaken, and in others eDNA samples are collected to determine the presence of indigenous fish species in our streams,” explains Heather. “In others the health of indigenous vegetation is surveyed, kiwi’s protected and pest control undertaken to protect our vulnerable indigenous species. Riparian areas are reserved, and strict controls are applied to the use of fuels and chemicals.” An FSC® criterion is for a continual reduction in the quantity of chemicals applied to the land, and plantation forestry is the lowest user of chemicals and fertiliser within New Zealand’s primary sector. “In some regions of New Zealand, such as Nelson, Marlborough and Otago, key domestic wood processors, who are themselves certified under FSC®’s Chain of Custody process, are choosing to process only certified wood, which flows through the supply chain to consumers.” All of PF Olsen’s operations are covered by a professional and ISO accredited Environmental Management System (EMS), which is embedded in all of the company’s systems, planning and in-forest activities. “Impacts on biodiversity, water, soil and air quality are front of mind in our decision making, as well as potential impacts on our neighbours and community. “In particular, the EMS covers the protection and management of archaeological/historic sites, threatened species, indigenous vegetation/ecosystems, biosecurity, social impact and pest management. “We train, coach and audit our staff and contractors and expect full compliance with New Zealand legislation, international agreements, such as CITES, and local regulations.,” says Heather. Through the NZ Forest Owners Association PF Olsen is also a signatory to the NZ Forest Accord, which in partnership with environmental non-governmental organisations, protects indigenous vegetation from conversion to plantation forest. “Impacts on biodiversity, water, soil and air quality are front of mind in our decision making, as well as potential impacts on our neighbours and community.” Heather Arnold Riparian areas are reserved, and strict controls are applied to the use of fuels and chemicals. Gisborne based providing a high standard of Forestry services. Operating throughout the East of North Island since 2000. 027 271 3012 brent@rodco.nz @rodco.nz
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