VFF's forest management strives to mimic nature as much as possible
through uneven-aged management and long stand rotations.
Mission
To conserve the health of the forest community, and when appropriate, to promote
the careful cultivation of local family-owned forests for community benefits.
Principles
- ALL MEMBERS of the forest
community have inherent value.
- AS MEMBERS of the forest
community, people have legitimate needs for the economic, ecological,
and social values of forests.
- THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE —
like those of all other earthly beings — should not exceed ecological
carrying capacities.
- RECYCLING, SUBSTITUTION,
AND DURABLE USES of forest products should be promoted.
- WORKING LANDSCAPES should
include interconnected forest reserves and sustainably-managed forests.
- ECOLOGICAL FORESTRY practices
should conserve biodiversity, water quality, site productivity and scenic
beauty; use only biological pest control; and mimic natural processes.
- ECONOMICALLY-SECURE, WELL-INFORMED
family-owned forest stewards — including landowners and the loggers and foresters
who assist them — are most capable of practicing ecologically sustainable
forestry and of making continuous improvement.
- LOCAL FOREST PRODUCTS —
from ecologically sustainable forestry operations — should be promoted
over non-native products.
- PUBLIC forests and family
forests should complement the functions and values of one another.
- LOCAL VALUE-ADDING NETWORKS
- including empowered family-owned forest stewards, wood using businesses,
and loyal forest product customers — are essential to the well-being
of the forest community and should be encouraged.
- GREEN CERTIFICATION - of
local family-owned forests and the value-adding networks in which they participate
— serves as a foundation on which even higher, local standards should
be built.
