Architects and others who specify wood products have the responsibility to specify wood from sustainably managed forests. By selecting sustainably harvested wood products, architects can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support a low-carbon future.

This course will examine commonly held beliefs about forestry; review the environmental, economic, and social importance of specifying responsibly sourced wood products; and discuss North American softwood species that are increasingly being used as an alternative to more energy-intensive building materials.


Learning Objectives

  • Examine commonly held beliefs about forestry and how they are affecting communities in North America.
  • Review the economic and environmental importance of specifying sustainable and responsibly sourced wood products.
  • Explore the tenets of sustainable forestry management and industry standards that work to improve forestry practices.
  • Determine how durable softwood species can be a sustainable building material option.

Pre-Requisite: Basic knowledge of wood product manufacturing best practices.