?EUR??,,????'??We congratulate Governor Spitzer and the Department of Environmental Conservation for achieving FSC-endorsed certification,?EUR??,,????'?? said Dr. Robert Hrubes, SCS Senior Vice-President and head of SCS?EUR??,,????'???s FSC-accredited Forest Conservation Program. ?EUR??,,????'??This demonstrated conformance with the rigorous FSC standard assures the public that New York State is practicing exemplary forest management.?EUR??,,????'??

SCS convened a multidisciplinary team of specialists to audit DEC?EUR??,,????'???s forest management practices against the demanding principles and criteria encapsulated within the Forest Stewardship Council standard. In the course of 37 auditor-days over a several-month period, the team collected and analyzed written materials, conducted interviews with regional and local stakeholders, and completed a field audit of DEC managed properties around the state.

?EUR??,,????'??To say that you manage a ?EUR??,,????'??green?EUR??,,????'??? forest may sound redundant, but it is a designation that few have earned,?EUR??,,????'?? said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. ?EUR??,,????'??We?EUR??,,????'???re very proud of this recognition. It validates the State?EUR??,,????'???s efforts to practice forestry in a way that is economically, environmentally and socially responsible. Another benefit is that certification adds value to our forest products.?EUR??,,????'??