The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the governing body for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard has announced it is encouraging the use of more responsibly sourced building materials, and will now begin providing credit to wood from American Tree Farm System (ATFS) certified forests.

This is a milestone victory for family forest owners, Tree Farmers, and the forestry community. This change will allow a significantly larger portion of sustainable wood products to qualify for the LEED standard, allowing more wood to be used in green buildings thus stimulating the markets for sustainable wood from family woodland owners.

If you are a supporter of family forest owners, green building and USGBC's announcement, please sign your support and share your story on why this is so important.