NEW YORK — In a bold commitment to forests, Atlanta-based
Georgia-Pacific (GP) has announced that it will not purchase trees from endangered forests and special areas or from new pine plantations established at the expense of natural hardwood forests,
according to a press release.
The policy statement was developed in consultation with environmental groups
Dogwood Alliance, the
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and
Rainforest Action Network, the release noted.
While GP''s new forest policy applies to all of its operations, as a first step in implementing its commitment on endangered forests and special areas, GP worked with the environmental groups and scientists to identify 11 areas totaling 600,000 acres in the
Mid-Atlantic Coastal Eco-Region, as well as 90 million acres of natural hardwood forests in the Southern region, the release stated.
"No other U.S. company has demonstrated this level of initiative in mapping unique forests across such a broad region," said Debbie Hammel, senior resource specialist for NRDC.
"Through this process, GP has proven that — by harnessing scientific advances and seeking conservation guidance — corporations can help protect unique places without sacrificing profitability," Hammel added.
