The Outlook
October 2006

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W e l c o m e

We've got a full newsletter this month with the latest news on our projects in Northern Minnesota, a report on opportunities to align certification programs for non-timber forest products, and a look at exactly what it is that makes a "responsible material". Also, don't miss our commentary addressing the challenges of drive-thru consumerism.

Next month we'll be releasing the first of a three part series of marketing articles. The first report is November will examine Positioning.  For our previous marketing and organizational development reports visit: http://www.dovetailinc.org/reports.html.

Also, we are partnering with the Forest Products Society - Midwest Section to offer a workshop on forest certification and green building.  Please mark your calendars for December 13th and plan to be in Madison, Wisconsin to learn about the latest information, trends and opportunities.

- Jeff

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I n  T h i s  I s s u e:

Dovetail Workshop:

Forest Certification & Green Building Programs

Great Opportunities or Great Big Headaches?

Dovetail News:

Certification Growing in Aitkin County
Warming Your Toes in a Minnesota Winter
Majestic Pine Used to Build Green Home

Dovetail Commentary:

Simply impatient, or just an average customer?

Dovetail Reports:

Combining Organic and FSC Certification of Non-Timber Forest Products: Reducing Costs, Increasing Options

What is a "Responsible Material" Anyway?

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D o v e t a i l   W o r k s h o p

Forest Certification & Green Building Programs

Great Opportunities or Great Big Headaches?

9 am – 3 pm

Wednesday, December 13th , 2006

Forest Products Lab, Madison, WI

First there was the alphabet soup of FSC and SFI and now there is LEED, GreenGlobes, and something called “MR7”. This workshop will provide the latest information about forest certification, the trends in green building programs, and strategies for the wood and building industry to find opportunity within the maze of programs and acronyms.

For the Agenda and Registration details, click here.

The Forest Products Society Midwest Section and Dovetail Partners are hosting this workshop. For more information, please contact Scott Bowe at 608-265-5849, sbowe@wisc.edu or Dovetail Partners at 612-333-0430, info@dovetailinc.org

The work upon which this program is based was funded through a grant awarded by the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, USDA Forest Service.   This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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D o v e t a i l   N e w s

Certification Growing in Aitkin County

Private woodland owners invited to participate in a new project

Nearly 10 years ago, the forests managed by the Aitkin County Land Department became FSC-certified. This year, private landowners in the county are being offered the same opportunity for their own woodlands.   The Aitkin County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is offering a group certification program to make it easier for woodland owners in the county to have their forests certified and to market certified products. One of the landowners already participating is Roger Howard, former Land Commissioner for Aitkin County.

"I was part of the decision to get the county lands certified, and now I'm doing it for my own property," says Howard.

To read the full article, http://www.dovetailinc.org/News.html#Aitkin

Warming Your Toes in a Minnesota Winter

In-floor heating can be energy-efficient as well as a great comfort

Even as we enjoy a few more days of nice weather, we all know that winter chills aren't far away. Once again, we find ourselves asking the proverbial question, is it possible to keep your toes warm in a Minnesota winter? For one future homeowner in Aitkin, Minnesota – the answer will be yes!

"We're installing an in-floor radiant heating system to make sure the homeowners have warm toes and a manageable heating bill this winter," says Alison Lindburg, Director of Dovetail Partner's Eco-Affordable Housing Program.

"It is probably going to be the warmest foundation in Minnesota," says Peter Haack of Talor Building Systems. "Whoever buys this house is going to save a lot of energy."

To read the full article, http://www.dovetailinc.org/AitkinPR10606.html

Majestic Pine Used to Build Green Home

Aitkin FSC Home Uses White Pine for Exterior Siding

Towering white pines are a common image of the Northwoods. Majestic pine forests provide diverse and essential wildlife habitat and watershed protection in Northern Minnesota. Responsibly managed white pine is also a valuable building material. Snowy Pines Reforestation in Todd County is a family-owned and operated business with 25 years of experience caring for white pine.

The wood from Snowy Pines Reforestation is also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The Nolan's forest is FSC-certified and the sawmill is certified to produce and market FSC products.

“The extra assurance of FSC-certification is an important part of green building,” says Lindburg. “Most homeowners don't have the opportunity to personally inspect the forest they buy their wood from. Certification means that an auditor has made that inspection for you.”

Simply impatient, or just an average customer?
Surviving the drive-thru mentality of consumption

Dr. Jeff Howe

Combining Organic and FSC Certification of Non-Timber Forest Products
Reducing Costs, Increasing Options

Matthew Wenban-Smith

Given the common goals and shared values of organic and FSC-based certification there ought to be potential for cooperation between the programs that could reduce costs and increase benefits to producers. While ultimately it will be producers, manufacturers and consumers who decide which (if any) certification program they prefer, it should be in the shared interest of both the organic movement and FSC to cooperate where possible to increase social and environmental gains, as well as benefits to program participants.

This report provides background about both programs; information from recent research into potential collaboration between the two; and suggestions for future efforts to increase the uptake and benefits of combined FSC and organic certification of non-timber forest products.

To read the introduction and download the report, click here.

What is a "Responsible Material" Anyway?

Jim Bowyer

The United States is the greatest consuming nation the world has ever known, with access of many of its citizens to conveniences of daily living at levels well above those of kings and princes of antiquity. Overall, the proportion of global consumption accounted for by the United States is four to five times higher than the U.S. proportion of global population.   The U.S. is also a massive net importer of both raw materials and finished goods, causing in the process substantial impacts to the landscapes and environments of other nations.    In view of the high global impact of U.S. consumption, it is worth considering whether Americans bear any responsibility for seeking to understand the negative impacts of their consumption or for doing what they can to minimize them. It is difficult to convincingly argue that they do not.

To read the introduction and download the report, click here.

“The Outlook” is the monthly e-newsletter of Dovetail Partners Inc, a 501c3 non profit corporation.

Dovetail Partners is a highly skilled team that collaborates to develop unique concepts, systems, programs and models to foster sustainable forestry and catalyze responsible trade and consumption.