A second program available from Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc. to help educate hardwood consumers is Verified and is included with all AHMI membership categories.
The U.S. Forest Service has proven the Appalachian Hardwood Forest as defined by AHMI is increasing annually and the growth to removal ratio is 2.4. This confirms the Appalachian Hardwood Forest (AHF) meets present needs without compromising those of future generations and will continue into the future – sustainably.
AHF includes more than 65 million acres in these counties which are identified in the bylaws of the association. The forest is growing and wood consumers know the characteristics of Appalachian meet their needs.
AHMI has transformed this U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis of AHF into the Appalachian Hardwood Verified Sustainable program. It is available for free to members and provides certificates, data, stickers and more to help customers understand and accept the resource.
AHMI has additional requirements for forest management and processing companies to participate in the Appalachian Hardwood Verified Legal. It is free with membership and has documentation to complete that confirm member companies:
1) Are a Legal Business Entity in the U.S. or Canada
2) Have management/harvest agreements that adhere to industry practice, local, state and federal law
3) Pay taxes, fees and compensation for timber resources
4) Have management systems in place to govern
These programs were developed in 2007 and 2011, respectively, and have more than 75% of AHMI member companies participating.