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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

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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.