After four years in the works, victory is theirs.
Theirs, as in Spray Lake Sawmills (SLS). Victory, as in their recent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
SLS has been involved in forest certification provincially since 1996, through the Alberta ForestCare program. The FSC certification is an international standard.
“The move to the international forest certification demonstrates our continued commitment to forest certification and responsible forest management,” said SLS woodlands manager Ed Kulcsar in a recent press release from SLS.
“This is a process we started about four years ago, which has meant getting familiar with the FSC Canada’s National Boreal Standard…we’ve been involved in forest certification for quite a while. The timing seemed right to take it to an international standard,” said Kulcsar, adding that this is for two main reasons – some of the business relationships SLS has, and their desire to become more involved with some of their stakeholders.
“This certification represents four years of dedication by staff working with stakeholders to comply with the stringent FSC forestry standards governing environment, economic and social responsibility,” said Barry Mjolsness, president of SLS, in a recent press release, continuing with, “This is something we can be proud of as an independent family-owned company. We have a strong record of sustainable forest management over our 70-year history, but at the same time, we realize this is just the beginning as we strive for continual improvement.
SLS is the largest private sector Cochrane employer, with a year-round staff of 200 and an additional 75 seasonal contractors.
The wood product, landscape and soil erosion product manufacturer recently celebrated 70 years of operations, culminating with a celebration at the Cochrane sawmill site Sept. 19.
The sawmill takes its role as ‘stewards of the forest’ seriously and attributes its company’s success to a corporate climate best likened to an ‘extended family’ approach, backed by strong Christian values and active involvement in the community.
