July 24, 1998
Middlebury College Uses “Certified Wood”
in Construction of Bicentennial Hall
Project Safeguards Wildlife Habitat and Contributes
to Local Economy
Middlebury College has announced plans to use “certified”
wood products in the construction of its new Bicentennial Hall,
making the facility the largest academic project of its kind in
the country to do so. “Certified” wood, according to
Alan Calfee of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF)/SmartWood
program, is wood that has been evaluated using more than 60 criteria
that help ensure it comes from forests under ecologically sound
forest management that maintain rich wildlife habitats and provide
long-term economic benefits to local communities.
Wood from New England forests certified by NWF/ SmartWood
will be used for interior woodwork in the 108,000 net square foot
building, scheduled for completion on the Vermont liberal arts
college campus in the fall of 1999. Bicentennial Hall will be
home to Middlebury’s science and social science classrooms and
laboratories as well as its summer language schools.
“By using certified wood, Middlebury College
is helping to protect forest habitats for animals while contributing
to robust, diversified local and regional economies,” said
Calfee. “It’s proof-positive that this nation’s colleges
and universities can make a real difference for our wildlife when
they’re constructing or remodeling campus facilities.”
“The use of certified wood in this building
is one way that our institutional commitment to both protect the
environment and conserve natural resources is translated into
action,” said David Ginevan, Middlebury College treasurer.
The Bicentennial Hall project is also keeping local
economies strong. Middlebury has contracted with The Forest Partnership
(Burlington, Vt.) and Barr & Barr, Inc. (Middlebury, Vt.)
to obtain 120,000 board feet of certified wood for the project.
Much of this timber will come from members of Vermont Family Forests,
an organization that cultivates the economic and socioeconomic
benefits of family-owned forests in Vermont. Vermont Family Forests
recently received its certification from NWF/ SmartWood, making
it the first source for certified timber in Vermont.
While Middlebury’s costs are not significantly higher,
Vermont Family Forest landowners and loggers will receive at least
double the revenue typical for a project of this size. Harvesting,
processing, and milling-usually handled by a number of commercial
organizations-are being managed directly by The Forest Partnership.
“Streamlining this process means more of the money is invested
right back into Vermont businesses,” said Richard D. Miller,
executive director of The Forest Partnership. “A major goal
of the Middlebury project is to demonstrate that it is possible
to support sound forestry in Vermont without dramatic increases
in costs to the consumer.”
Other parts of the Vermont wood processing industry
will also benefit from the Middlebury College project. Nearly
all of the lumber used, for example, will be kiln-dried in Vermont,
and a significant amount of the sawing operations will also take
place in Vermont.
Miller hopes that Middlebury’s example will lead
to similar commitments by other businesses. “As more and
more businesses decide to purchase certified wood products,”
he said, “there will be many more opportunities to help guarantee
healthy forests, while keeping much of the value of the wood in
the local community.”
NWF leads the SmartWood forest certification program
in the northeast region of the U.S. through a special collaboration
with the Rainforest Alliance. To date, the SmartWood program has
certified approximately three million acres across the U.S., providing
safe habitat critical to the American bald eagle, wood thrush,
lynx, and a rich array of other forest wildlife.
Middlebury College: Middlebury
College is an independent, residential, liberal arts college with
2,160 students. Located in Middlebury, Vt., the College is internationally
recognized for its leadership in a number of academic areas, including
language study and instruction, environmental studies, and literary
studies.
National Wildlife Federation:
The nation’s largest member-supported conservation advocacy and
education group, the National Wildlife Federation unites people
from all walks of life to protect nature, wildlife, and the world
we all share. The Federation has educated and inspired families
to uphold America’s conservation tradition since 1936. Its common-sense
approach to environmental protection brings individuals, organizations,
and governments together to ensure a brighter future for people
and wildlife.