Program History
_The
Wisconsin Professional Loggers Association (WPLA) developed a Wisconsin Master Logger
Certification (WIMLC) program template that was approved by the American
Loggers Council in the fall of 2001. WPLA then sought funding to implement this
program and put in place the structure to operate the program. Since that time,
WPLA has become part of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA), which is the oversight entity for the WIMLC program.
GLTPA and the WIMLC Logger Committee has selected the Sustainable Resources Institute, Inc. (SRI) to administer the WIMLC program. SRI is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to conduct research and provide education and pathways to promote wise natural resource stewardship and sustainable forest management. SRI is committed to promoting the sustainable management of forestland through Master Logger Certification and continually evolving its scope.
GLTPA and the WIMLC Logger Committee has selected the Sustainable Resources Institute, Inc. (SRI) to administer the WIMLC program. SRI is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to conduct research and provide education and pathways to promote wise natural resource stewardship and sustainable forest management. SRI is committed to promoting the sustainable management of forestland through Master Logger Certification and continually evolving its scope.
The Facts
_Wisconsin Master Logger Certification IS NOT a training program, it is an on-the-ground assessment of harvesting practices:
- The Wisconsin Master Logger Certification program educational program in the traditional sense. This is not a program that pulls loggers out of the woods to learn; this is a program which goes into the woods using skilled, experienced verifiers and assesses the knowledge and skills of a logger in relation to state and certification program standards (i.e. FSC and SFI).
_The Wisconsin Master Logger Certification Program Will:
- Assess and document the harvest practices loggers are currently using in the forest.
- Serve as an organizing tool for loggers to gain economic leverage.
- Be the next level of professional development, thereby creating a career ladder within the logging industry.
- Ensure that professional loggers are rewarded for doing what they already do.
_Some of the many reasons loggers join the Wisconsin Master Logger Certification Program:
- Promote the profession of wood harvesting as a key element to business success in Wisconsin.
- Make it clear that wood harvesters are environmentalists at the tree, spending their work time in the forest.
- Gain economic leverage by marketing what they already know and do.
- Clearly define their role as an independent contractor.
- Gain reciprocity for harvesting timber across state lines and certification programs.
- Document use of certified logging practices and be compensated accordingly.
- Gain access to the SRI FSC Chain-of-Custody Certificate.
The Seven Areas of Responsibility
_ The Wisconsin
Master Logger Certification Program includes Seven Areas of Responsibility,
with standards and practices included in each area. The Seven Areas of
Responsibility include:
- Protection of water quality and soils
- Compliance with government regulations appropriate to a logging business
- Conformance with acceptable silviculture and utilization standards
- Participation in ongoing training programs
- Application of aesthetic management techniques where applicable
- Following management plans that are site specific and agreed to by the landowner
- Use of sound business management practice
Stakeholders in Sustainability
_
We are all committed to:
- Clean water
- A healthy forest ecosystem
- A multiple use policy
- A sustainable wood supply
- A thriving economy and career opportunities in our forest communities
- A sustainable wood demand
What is "'Third Party'' Certification?
_ The Wisconsin Master Logger Certification (WIMLC)
program implements Third Party Certification using a Third Party Certifying
Board consisting forest industry stakeholders to grant professional loggers certification
and acknowledgement for what they already know and do. The WIMLC program has
Seven Areas of Responsibility and WIMLC Performance Standards (see Audit Form and Interview) which will be assessed
by one verifier and one Wisconsin Certified Master Logger (both selected by the
Coordinator and approved by the applicant) on 3 of a new applicant’s logging jobs
before being reveiwed by the WIMLC Certifying Board for certification consideration. Upon receiving Wiscosnin Certified Master Logger status, recertification
audits will occur on an annual basis.
What is the Wisconsin Master Logger Certification Process?
Certification Step 1
Determine eligibility to become a Wisconsin Certified Master Logger:
Once edibility is determined, the logging company makes the decision to seek Wisconsin Master Logger Certification (WI MLC) and submits a completed Application with an application fee. The WIMLC Coordinator or designee then contacts the applicant to conduct the WI MLC applicant interview (which is documented and becomes part of the WI MLC application packet submitted to the Certifying Board) and also explains expectations/standards and answers any questions the applicant may have. The interview also enables the Coordinator or designee to confirm compliance with WI MLC Performance Standards not readily available in the field. If still interested, the company submits 5 past and current harvest sites are identified, and 3 professional references are obtained.
In order to maintain confidentiality and impartiality, candidate companies are assigned a unique number code, which is used as an identifier on all application materials.
Determine eligibility to become a Wisconsin Certified Master Logger:
- Own a logging business (must be a sole proprietorship or other legal business structure that purchases stumpage and controls the on-site timber harvesting operation)
- Be an independent contractor
- Own or operate in-the-woods harvesting equipment
Once edibility is determined, the logging company makes the decision to seek Wisconsin Master Logger Certification (WI MLC) and submits a completed Application with an application fee. The WIMLC Coordinator or designee then contacts the applicant to conduct the WI MLC applicant interview (which is documented and becomes part of the WI MLC application packet submitted to the Certifying Board) and also explains expectations/standards and answers any questions the applicant may have. The interview also enables the Coordinator or designee to confirm compliance with WI MLC Performance Standards not readily available in the field. If still interested, the company submits 5 past and current harvest sites are identified, and 3 professional references are obtained.
In order to maintain confidentiality and impartiality, candidate companies are assigned a unique number code, which is used as an identifier on all application materials.
_Certification Step 2
WI MLC accredited field verifiers (see Verifier Accreditation requirements under Program Structure) make an appointment with the applicant to visit 3 of the 5 sales provided (See Sampling Below) in order to field check the consistency of harvest practices and ensure that the company meets WI MLC performance standards. Each field verifier completes his or her own audit form based upon individual site worksheets. Additionally, the verifier will take photos of different aspects of the sites visited. Each completed audit form (with verifier comments and photos) are compiled into a packet and added to the WI MLC application packet.
WI MLC accredited field verifiers (see Verifier Accreditation requirements under Program Structure) make an appointment with the applicant to visit 3 of the 5 sales provided (See Sampling Below) in order to field check the consistency of harvest practices and ensure that the company meets WI MLC performance standards. Each field verifier completes his or her own audit form based upon individual site worksheets. Additionally, the verifier will take photos of different aspects of the sites visited. Each completed audit form (with verifier comments and photos) are compiled into a packet and added to the WI MLC application packet.
- Five sales will be submitted, of which three will be selected for field inspection.
- At least one inspected sale must be an active sale and the others should have occurred within the past year or so.
- The sales submitted must include at least one of the following goals: Goal 1 (Protect Soil Productivity and Water Quality), Goal 2 (Compliance with Government Regulations Appropriate for a Logging Business), and Goal 3 (Compliance with Acceptable Silviculture and Utilization Standards), issues are present. They need not all be present in each sale.
- A random traverse of the entire sale with special emphasis on potential problem areas will be made
_Certification Step 3
The applicant receives a copy of the complete WIMLC application packet to review for accuracy. If the applicant wishes to challenge any conclusion or comment on any part of the verifier’s report, their comments can be submitted in writing or dictated to WI MLC office personnel. The comments and challenges are included in the application packet that goes to the WI MLC Certifying Board.
The applicant receives a copy of the complete WIMLC application packet to review for accuracy. If the applicant wishes to challenge any conclusion or comment on any part of the verifier’s report, their comments can be submitted in writing or dictated to WI MLC office personnel. The comments and challenges are included in the application packet that goes to the WI MLC Certifying Board.
_Certification Step 4
A copy of each application packet is sent to each member of the WI MLC Certifying Board for their review.
A copy of each application packet is sent to each member of the WI MLC Certifying Board for their review.
_Certification Step 5
he WI MLC Certifying Board meeting is held and each certification packet is thoroughly reviewed. If issues are unresolved on a particular goal area or if the Board cannot reach a unanimous vote, an additional field verifier can be sent out to review harvest sites before a vote for acceptance is taken. Application packets must receive a unanimous vote of acceptance or rejection from the Certifying Board. If no unanimous decision is reached, further review and a process is set for final decision.
he WI MLC Certifying Board meeting is held and each certification packet is thoroughly reviewed. If issues are unresolved on a particular goal area or if the Board cannot reach a unanimous vote, an additional field verifier can be sent out to review harvest sites before a vote for acceptance is taken. Application packets must receive a unanimous vote of acceptance or rejection from the Certifying Board. If no unanimous decision is reached, further review and a process is set for final decision.
_Certification Step 6
Applicants are notified of the Certifying Board’s decision as well as any company specific critiques/compliments the Board would like to share.
Enforcement:
To be of any value, this program must be tough and adhere to its standards of performance. Individuals who fail initial certification forfeit their application fee and are eligible to reapply after one year
Applicants are notified of the Certifying Board’s decision as well as any company specific critiques/compliments the Board would like to share.
Enforcement:
To be of any value, this program must be tough and adhere to its standards of performance. Individuals who fail initial certification forfeit their application fee and are eligible to reapply after one year
Recertification Process
_
Beginning
in 2012, the WIMLC recertification policy changed from a random audit process
to an annual recertification audit. This change will increase outreach and
connection with all Certified Master Loggers, improve program credibility, and
increase program efficiencies. Instead of requesting sales from Master Loggers
as is done in initial certification, recertification will take place on active
sales only (unless a full audit is spurred due to issues found during audit of
active sale). Notice of the recertification visit will be given one week in
advance. Once the field visit and recertification interview has been completed,
Certification Steps 3-6 will be implemented.
Enforcement:
To be of any value, this program must be tough and adhere to its standards of performance. Individuals who have been de-certified may choose go through the application process again after one year from the date of their de-certification. The applicant will be considered “new” and as such is subject to the application fee and new applicant certification requirements.
Enforcement:
To be of any value, this program must be tough and adhere to its standards of performance. Individuals who have been de-certified may choose go through the application process again after one year from the date of their de-certification. The applicant will be considered “new” and as such is subject to the application fee and new applicant certification requirements.