Zagata Named to Sustainable Forestry Initiative Board of Directors

Ruffed Grouse Society Executive Director and CEO Dr. Michael D. Zagata was recently named to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Board of Directors - a diversified multi-stakeholder group of professionals representing a variety of interests in the forestry community, including environmental and conservation organizations, public officials, professional and academic groups, forest products industry, independent logging professionals and forest landowners.

A relatively new organization SFI is a fully independent non-profit organization devoted to improving responsible forest management through the comprehensive SFI program. Its volunteer Board of Directors represents environmental, social and economic interests equally.

In accepting the position, Dr. Zagata said, "The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is a credible mechanism for assuring that our forests are managed for sustainability. I'm excited about the opportunity to join with other SFI Board members in developing public awareness of the fact that different species require different habitats and those differing habitats are found in young, middle-aged and old-growth forests. That means if we are going to have a variety of wildlife species that we must work to assure that we have forests of all ages, not just old growth forests."

Other newly named directors include: Roger Sedjo, Senior Fellow, Resources for the Future; Robert A. Luoto, Independent Professional Loggers and the American Loggers Council, and Henry Ketcham, President and CEO, West Fraser Co. Ltd.

Rick R. Holley, President and CEO, Plum Creek Timber Company Inc. was elected chair of the board. The other new officers are Marvin Brown of the Oregon Department of Forestry as vice chair and Mary Motlow of Cumberland Springs Land Co. as secretary-treasurer.

Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

Information on the RGS, its mission and management projects can be found on the web at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.