SWOAM Certification Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is forest certification?
A: Forest Certification is a voluntary system that uses independent third-party verification to ensure that wood products that mills receive and produce originated on land that was managed on a sustainable basis.
Q: Who has supported SWOAM's certification efforts?
A: We have had support from many different sources. International Paper Co., the Turner Foundation, L.L. Bean, the American Tree Farm System and the Maine Forest Service each have provided funds to get our program up and running. And we have received hundreds of hours of volunteer time from foresters and others who have helped make our program the success it is today. More recently, International Paper Company and L.L. Bean have provided additional funding, for which we are most grateful.
Q: What are the benefits?
A: While we hope one day that landowners will receive a price premium for wood from certified lands, that price premium, with few exceptions, does not exist. The benefit right now is retaining the market. Large buyers of forest products (magazine publishers in particular) are increasingly looking for products from certified sources, which in turn mean that Maine mills are going to be increasing their sources of certified wood. Many small woodland owners like the personal pride and assurance they feel from being certified that in fact what they are doing is long-term responsible, sustainable management. Those woodland owners now enrolled in our Forest Certification program have preferred-supplier status from at least one major user of pulpwood, International Paper. This means that wood from our third-party certified group will be purchased even if the mill is full of wood.
Q: Do I need a management plan?
A: Yes. Your management plan must meet the criteria of the American Forest Foundation's Standards of Sustainability and be reviewed at the SWOAM office before your field visit.
Q: How does the process work to obtain certification for my land?
A: Once you determine you want to enroll in the program, we will review your management plan to ensure that all requirements have been included. If not, we will work with you and/or the forester of your choosing to amend the plan. Then we will schedule a field visit with you, and your forester if you would like, to make sure all the conditions of certification are being met. If so, we then bring that recommendation to a small board, which votes to accept you into the program. Your land is then considered certified. If we find a problem on your lot, we will let you know what steps need to be taken to correct the situation.
Q: What are my obligations if I have my land certified?
A: As long as you remain in the program, you need to meet all the requirements. You can decide to quit the program at any time with no penalty. Your participation is entirely voluntary.
Q: How much does this cost?
A: For most landowners the biggest cost of enrolling in our certification program is having a management plan that meets the standards. If you already have a current management plan, many can be modified at little or no cost to meet the standards. If you don't have a plan, we can help you get started in the right direction by helping you find a professional forester to prepare the plan and discuss cost share assistance and/or tax credits that you may qualify for. The application and annual fees are below:
Acres in ownership 10-99 100-499 500-999 1000-1499 1500-1999
Application fee $75 $125 $225 $300 $395
Annual fee $50 $95 $175 $250 $350

Fees will be individually negotiated for ownerships over 2000 acres.

Q: Where do I find out more?
A: Call toll free 1-877-467-9626 or email Maggie, maggie@swoam.org, at the SWOAM office.