Identifier

etd-03072008-104040

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Renewable Natural Resources

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The concept of forest certification, a relatively recent development in forestry, is based on the use of market-based incentives to encourage sustainable forest management practices. Since the majority of forests in US South are privately owned, certifying forests owned by non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners is an important issue. From the demand perspective of certification, pressure from non-governmental environmental organizations and consumer awareness has prompted major wood products retailers to state preferences for certified wood products. In the US, wood product demand in the retail home centers sector is second only to the home building industry. In addition, home center retailers have been shown to be a primary driver of forest and wood products certification. In order to ascertain NIPF landowner and leading home center retailer perceptions of forest certification, two mail surveys were conducted. We surveyed 1,200 randomly selected NIPF landowners each in Louisiana and Mississippi, and the top 500 home retail centers in the United States. Results of the landowner survey indicate that a significant proportion of respondents believe certification could benefit NIPF landowners. Results suggest that many of the negative or neutral attitudes NIPFs hold towards certification are partially due to a lack of information and knowledge on the subject. Many respondents are skeptical of the public’s willingness to support certification. However, they believe that certification can contribute to improving the forestry profession and forest management. It was also evident that the cost of certification will continue to be a main certification issue with over three-quarters of respondents being unwilling to pay anything for certification. Results from the home center study frame certification-related issues from the perspective of wood products retailers looking for the best way to market their products. Only a few leading wood products retailer respondents are currently participating in certification. Product quality, fair prices and supply issues are regarded as main concerns rather than safeguarding against environmental retaliation in order to be successful. Results indicate that, in general, price premiums for certified products are rare. However, niche markets exist that offer higher prices for certified products. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) certification schemes are most preferred and accepted by retailer respondents. None of the respondent companies experienced any unexpected costs due to certification.

Date

2008

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Richard P. Vlosky

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.575

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