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FSC celebrates 25 years of international certification

Every year, FSC-certified businesses, as well as schools and organizations all around the world host a series of events to raise awareness of responsible forest management and the role FSC plays in it. It can be celebrated in many ways, from a drawing competition to a field trip. Source: Timberbiz

FSC Friday is all about sharing the message of “forests for all forever” to enable more people to recognize the value of forests and how important it is to take care of them.

Various FSC members, employees and certificate holders gathered in Mexico – the birthplace of FSC – to celebrate 25 years of FSC certification. More than 350 people participated, including 90 Indigenous Peoples.

Many FSC national and regional offices, as well as their certificate holders, celebrated FSC Friday:

FSC Netherlands launched a new national project with construction company Volker Wessels to invest in climate-proof forestry. The office posted a press release, social media content, and a blog post about Mexican forests, while FSC staff visited various stakeholders. Over 50 companies also actively promoted the event through their own social media channels.

FSC Portugal organized a business forum on “Sustainable options for present and future packaging” with 150 participants. In addition to introducing sustainable packaging alternatives, the aim was to promote conscious and responsible consumption. The forum included a roundtable in which key national and global players shared their organizations’ position on sustainable packaging, and their commitment to FSC.

FSC Switzerland organized a volunteering event with employees of the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen in the local forest. Staff from various departments were split into two groups. The first group cleaned gaps in the forest before planting new trees. The second group helped hunters remove old game fencing once erected to protect young trees – now fully grown – from being destroyed by wildlife. The event was a good opportunity for employees to learn about the different issues forestry operations face – including persistent droughts.

FSC Spain organized its first social forum at the royal botanic garden of Madrid. Almost 100 NGO and company representatives took part and shared their most innovative projects regarding sustainability and the circular economy. FSC Spain produced a video summary of the day as well as video interviews with some of the participants.

FSC Italy organized its first Furniture Awards ceremony in Milan. It rewarded the most-sustainable, FSC-certified companies in the Italian interior furnishing sector.