Anderson-Tully is Recognized for Forest Stewardship

In 2000, we earned the Forest Stewardship Council’s official certification and “Seal of Approval” status, recognizing management practices that are on “the cutting edge of market-driven conservation.” Planning for the future, conserving our resources, protecting the environment — these are the core values of Anderson-Tully.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (October 27, 2000) - Anderson-Tully Company today announced it has officially received the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) certification which, among other things, ensures that its forests are responsibly managed.

Based in Memphis, Tennessee and Vicksburg, Mississippi, Anderson-Tully is one of three timber Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) in the United States and the only REIT dedicated to the management of hardwood timber lands. The company owns and manages approximately 300,000 acres of hardwood timber land along the Mississippi River and sells timber to other Anderson-Tully companies that produce hardwood lumber and veneer.

The FSC is an international non-profit organization founded in 1993. To receive the FSC certification, a forest operation must be audited by an accredited, independent, third-party organization to determine whether that operation meets the internationally agreed-upon FSC Principals and Criteria. SmartWood, an independent FSC-accredited certifier, conducted the Anderson-Tully audit. SmartWood is a program of the Rainforest Alliance, a nonprofit conservation group that has been a pioneer in the fields of forestry and agricultural certification.

"For many years, Anderson-Tully has strived to be a good steward of our lands," said Chip Dickenson, President of Anderson-Tully Company. "Our innovative, sustainable hardwood forestry practices enhance the ecological and economic value of Anderson-Tully forests. This FSC Certification provides independent validation as to the effectiveness and success of our forest management practices. We are extremely pleased to receive this recognition."

Anderson-Tully's timber, lumber and veneer operations also were examined and have been recognized as FSC chain of custody suppliers. Companies that meet these requirements are granted authorization to use the FSC "Seal of Approval" on their products.

"Consumers are becoming more environmentally aware and are increasingly calling for lumber and wood products produced from sustainable, well-managed forests," explained Tony Parks, Anderson-Tully's Chief Executive Officer. "Major retailers, including Home Depot and Lowe's, have recently announced their support for good forest stewardship and are giving preference to wood products from FSC certified forests. Products manufactured by Anderson-Tully from Anderson-Tully Company forests now can carry the FSC logo, guaranteeing that the wood came from a well-managed forest."

The FSC certification program, implemented by such independent organizations as SmartWood, represents the cutting edge of market-driven conservation," said SmartWood Director Richard Donovan. "The producers we certify gain access to the expanding market for environmentally responsible products. Anderson-Tully, the largest industrial hardwood timber land company in the United States to receive FSC certification for its entire holdings, is to be congratulated for taking this very important step. We are elated to be so closely associated with a company that has demonstrated the relevance of such high forestry standards for so many years.