The Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin lets the certification for its well-managed forest expired last year because no one was paying extra for the tribe's high-quality timber.

Back in the early 1990s, the tribe was one of the first in the U.S. to earn international certification for its forest. The designation is voluntary and is meant to show that a forestry operation and its wood products meet ecological and social standards.

The tribe had paid more than six-figures to obtain and keep the certification for five years. With more companies looking for certified wood, a state official hopes the tribe will restore its status.

Get the Story:
Tribe sees little financial return on forestry certification efforts (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 6/7)

Relevant Links:
Menominee Tribe - http://www.menominee.nsn.us
Forest Stewardship Council - http://www.fscus.org
Sustainable Forestry Initiative - http://www.aboutsfi.org/core.asp