The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials is pleased to announce that GreenWood Tree Farm Fund, LP (GTFF) has become the first short rotation forest plantation worldwide to earn certification under the RSB. The RSB certification covers GTFF’s cultivation, management and harvesting of coppiced poplar trees, used as biomass feedstock for the cellulosic ethanol industry or pelletized for direct combustion in biomass electric plants.

 GTFF is also the first plantation to be jointly certified by both RSB and the Forest Stewardship Council. Combined, these two certifications recognize GWR’s effort to maintain biodiversity, protect water resources, account for greenhouse gas emissions, treat workers fairly, and benefit the community.

“Biomass from trees is an ideal solution for generating renewable fuels and chemicals while reducing reliance on fossil fuels,” said Jeff Nuss, president and CEO of GreenWood Resources Inc., who manages GTFF. “GWR’s high-yield, short-rotation tree farms need less fertilizer and less energy to produce than traditional row crops, and they produce greater energy output per unit of production. We take our sustainability mission very seriously and are proud to have received the RSB designation.”

“RSB is proud to offer Greenwood Resources certification for their sustainable biomass feedstock,” said Rolf Hogan, executive director of RSB. “Greenwood provides a model for sustainable production of biomass and is a great example of a short-rotation tree farm that can reach the highest level of sustainability.”

“While biofuels for both transportation and energy production offer promise as an alternative to fossil fuels, production of its raw material can have a major impact on land, air, and water resources,” said Neil Mendenhall, manager of supply chain services at SCS Global Services (SCS) who audited the Boardman, Ore., tree farm to RSB standards jointly with the annual renewal of GWR’s FSC certification. “GWR is demonstrating a sustainable approach to the production of biomaterials that has a much reduced environmental impact.”