This past December the Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) underwent a week-long audit to verify sustainable forestry practices and receive forest management certification for another five years. On January 28, 2018 the EOMF was issued a forest management certificate for the next five years, extending until January 27, 2023.

The audit known as a “Forest Management Certification Re-Assessment” is conducted every five years and addresses all ten Principles within the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Standard. Over this period the EOMF Forest Certification Program will undergo at least 4 annual surveillance audits to ensure continued compliance with the Standard. The audit took place between November 27th and December 1st on several community forest, private forest and commercial forest properties throughout eastern and southern Ontario. The audit, conducted by Rainforest Alliance, evaluated the EOMF’s systems and performance against the FCS forest management standards and policies. “We are very pleased to be issued a forest management certificate for another five-year period. This is a clear indication of the good work the forest managers, within our Forest Certification Program, are doing to ensure their forests are well managed now and into the future”, said Jim Hendry, Coordinator of the Forest Certification Program for the EOMF.” More details