Green Horizons

Landowners have changed. Timber markets have changed. Landowners are interested in managing their timberland for long-term sustainability and consumers are demanding products made from timber harvested in a sustainable manner.

Many loggers were witnessing this change, and in 2008, a small group of loggers approached the Missouri Forest Products Association (MFPA) about implementing a Master Logger Program in Missouri. "We wanted something that verified we were voluntarily doing things right," says Shannon Jarvis, the first logger to be certified. "We wanted to raise the bar for the logging profession, and this was a way to achieve it."

Shannon Jarvis was the first Missouri logger to be certified a Master Logger.

MFPA then sought funding to implement this program and put in place the structure to operate the program. The oversight entity for the Missouri Master Logger Program is the Missouri Logging Council. A nine-member Master Logger Certifying Board represents various forest stakeholders and areas of expertise. Their job is to review and approve all applications.

The Master Logger certification process is detailed and rigorous. First, applicants must complete MFPA's five-day Professional Timber Harvester Education Program. Then, the applicant provides a list of five past and current harvest sites, along with three professional references. The Master Logger Certifying Board checks references to ensure the applicant's compliance with business and natural resource laws.

At least two field verifiers visit the applicant's logging sites to ensure compliance with Best Management Practices (BMP) taught in the Professional Timber Harvester Education course. Sixty-eight specific measures are checked.

If their work passes these tests, the applicant signs a code of ethics, and his application goes to the Board for a final vote. Certification requires a unanimous vote of all nine members.

Master Loggers must be recertified every two years. Failure to follow specified safety, environmental, forest management or business practices can result in decertification.

There is even a hotline to report any substandard practices 1-800-568-4916.

Landowners can be assured they are working with the best of the best. This certification provides customers and the general public assurances that the person or company performing the job has the education, training, and experience to do the job correctly and that appropriate practices are being implemented.

Certification pays dividends for the loggers, too! "The Master Logger Certification has helped me get two tracts of timber from landowners who were not interested in any harvest, they did not want anyone on their land," said Matt Layman, a Master Logger in Mountain View, MO. "Different loggers approached these landowners over the years, but the answer was always no. I went back after becoming certified and explained that it is "verified" I was harvesting correctly and they agreed to let me harvest their timber."

Missouri Master Logger; a ‘cut above’ the rest!

To view a list of current Master Loggers or to learn more about the certification visit www.moforest.org or contact Josh Stevens at 573-634-3252 or josh@moforest.org.