LANSING, Michigan--Officials at The Nature Conservancy today hailed Gov. Jennifer Granholm's announcement that nearly 4 million acres of Michigan's state forest land will be audited to ensure they are managed to the highest standards of sustainable forestry.

Gov. Granholm's announcement launches what will be the largest single forest certification project on public or private land in the United States.

Under the governor's plan, independent auditors will assess state forest management practices using the combined standards of the two most prominent forestry certification programs, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).

The Nature Conservancy worked behind the scenes to help secure the Granholm administration's commitment to moving forward with dual FSC and SFI certification.

"Forest certification is an important tool for ensuring working forests are managed to sustain both wildlife and a way of life," said Steve McCormick, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy. "Biodiversity conservation is a key element of effective sustainable forestry certification programs. By agreeing to dual certification, the state is making a tangible commitment to securing a strong economy and healthy environment."

Under FSC and SFI guidelines, the state will have to demonstrate that its forest management meets or exceeds set standards for protecting water quality, maintaining wildlife habitat, preserving natural areas and ensuring proper forest regeneration. The SFI standard is recognized in the United States and Canada, and the FSC principles and criteria are recognized globally.

Forest certification will not only benefit biodiversity, it will also help the bottom line of Michigan businesses that depend on state forests for timber supply, according to Kevin Korpi, executive director of the Michigan Forest Products Council, a timber industry trade association. Korpi said major purchasers of forest products like AOL-TimeWarner, The HomeDepot, Lowe's and Kinko's have begun requiring that suppliers demonstrate their product comes from well-managed forests.

"Certification means Michigan jobs -- it's that simple," Korpi said.

Helen Taylor, state director of The Nature Conservancy's Michigan Chapter and a member of the Gov. Granholm's Land Use Leadership Council, noted that managing the state forest system in a way that balances its economic, recreational and environmental benefits was a consensus recommendation of the land use council. Taylor said dual certification is a big step towards ensuring that balanced approach.

"This is a win-win approach for all concerned, and moves Michigan to the forefront of the effort to foster market-based solutions to conservation and environmental protection," Taylor said.

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Nature Conservancy counts at least 1 million members worldwide, including more than 30,000 in Michigan. The Conservancy and its members have protected more than 80 million acres on Earth, including about 78,000 acres in Michigan. The Nature Conservancy embraces a non-confrontational, market-based approach for accomplishing its science-driven mission.