With the help of certified forestry programs, our forests can be both a "renewable" and "sustainable" natural resource. Forests are renewable because they have the ability to re-grow themselves. They are also sustainable, that is, they can go on forever provided more trees are always growing than are harvested or destroyed by fires, insects, diseases and radical changes to the environment.

By maintaining strict environmental standards, and independently auditing for compliance, forest certification programs ensure that the soil, air, water, wildlife and trees receive proper care; and that harvesting and replanting are kept in balance. If all the certification standards and qualifications are met, the forest may be certified sustainable. So may the many wood and paper products that come from that forest's timber — everything from office paper to paperboard packaging to furniture and wood flooring. Every time you choose certified products, you help our forests.

Here are some of the most common labels:

(pefc.org) Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, or PEFC, was founded in 1999 as the global umbrella organization for the assessment and mutual recognition of national and international certification systems.

(sfiprogram.org) Sustainable Forestry Initiative is one of the world's largest sustainable forest programs, encompassing more than 135 million acres of land in North America. SFI protects the economic, environmental and social needs of our forests and communities; educates landowners and loggers in sustainable forestry practices; and is the only U.S. program endorsed recognized by the PEFC.

(fsc.org) Forest Stewardship Council is an international association of diverse members representing environmental and social groups, the timber trade and forestry profession, indigenous people's organizations and others. FSC applies its standards to more than 222 million acres of forests in over 82 countries.

(certifiedwood.csa.ca) The Canadian Standards Association's (CSA) standard is Canada's National Standard and accounts for a majority of the forest certifications in Canada. It is approved by the Standards Council of Canada and uses a definition of sustainable forest management developed by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers. It is recognized globally through endorsement by the PEFC.

Now that you'll be keeping your eyes open for certified forest products, what else can you do? Here are some other suggestions for making your shopping experience a greener one:

• If you can't find certified forest products in your neighborhood store, talk to the manager about buying from certified suppliers. Tell him/her that you'd prefer to buy certified products.
• Look for recycled paper products.
• Choose paper bags over plastic, and check to see if they are recycled.
• Save paper bags and take them to the grocery store, use them to put fruits and vegetables in while shopping.
• Don't waste paper — make your shopping list on the back-side of paper you've already used.