Historic Tall Ship to be Built in Sausalito with 100% Forest Stewardship Council Certified Lumber from Northern California and Oregon

 A $5 million historic sailing brigantine currently under construction in Sausalito has officially entered the process of earning Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) project certification to demonstrate that it will be constructed from timber produced with responsible forestry practices. The nonprofit group behind the project, Educational Tall Ship for San Francisco Bay, selected Emeryville-based SCS Global Services (SCS), a leading FSC certifier worldwide, to conduct the independent assessment proving that only FSC certified lumber is used in the hull, decks and cabins.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120827/MM63583LOGO)

"By committing to the use of FSC certified timber, the Educational Tall Ship organization has the opportunity to educate thousands of visitors about the environmental benefits of responsible forestry practices being carried out on the west coast," said Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, SCS Executive Vice President.

The ship will be built with Douglas fir harvested from FSC certified forests in Mendocino County that was donated by The Conservation Fund, also audited by SCS. FSC certified Oregon White Oak supplied by Sustainable Northwest will be used for rigging parts, hatches, furniture and the rudder.FSC certification ensures that forest management practices protect old growth trees, rivers and terrestrial ecosystems, while avoiding over-logging.  Workers and stakeholders are actively engaged during the certification process.

"We want to use this ship to teach kids to be stewards of the planet," said Alan Olson, founder of the Educational Tall Ship nonprofit.  "Teaching them about our responsibly harvested FSC certified wood is a great way we can help them connect with the local environment."

The 132-foot vessel will be the largest wooden ship constructed in the San Francisco area in nearly 100 years. During construction, the Educational Tall Ship will invite visitors to learn how wooden ships are built. Once launched, she will act as a living laboratory for students to learn to sail a tall ship while studying marine science and ecology.

SCS Global Services has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for nearly 30 years. Its programs span a wide cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, retail, and more.  SCS provides accredited auditing services under a wide range of internationally recognized certification and verification programs.  SCS is a chartered benefit corporation and Certified B Corp™, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.  FSC license code FSC-A000521. Project license code FSC-P001577.