The White Mountain Apache Tribe of Arizona has received a "well managed" rating for its forests.

The third-party Scientific Certification Systems reviewed the tribe's management based on international standards. A team found the tribe engaged in sound practices, particularly in light of a massive fire that destroyed tens of thousands of acres of valuable timber.

"They are at the top of the class of tribal forestry operations," an ecologist told The Arizona Republic.

The team cited the tribe's use of selective logging rather than clear cutting, prescribed burning and protection of important sites.

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White Mountain Tribe's forests called 'well managed' (The Arizona Republic 4/15)