Certified Master Loggers are held to exemplary standards of responsible timber harvesting. Our field verifiers visit actual harvest sites to assure that certification standards are met or exceeded, and our office staff works closely with loggers to support them with the informational resources they need to maintain their certification and stay abreast of developments affecting their profession.

Current List of Master Logger Certified Companies

Map of Master Logger Companies

Nine Goals & Standards

In order to provide logging companies with a definitive, measurable means of achieving certification, MLC developed nine goals, the end to which all efforts of harvesting are directed. The goals are further defined by harvest responsibilities, each with its own set of performance standards. These standards, when met, enable a company to achieve the nine goals and earn MLC certification.

The NEMLC program is the recipient of the world’s first SmartLogging certificate – an internationally recognized harvest standard awarded by the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program, and NEMLC is audited annually to maintain this certificate. The innovation of point-of-harvest certification within the NEMLC program is also integrated with it’s parent organization’s, the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands’ (TCNF), Forest Stewardship Council^TM (FSC^®)certificates for forest management, chain of custody and controlled wood with the goal of building an independently third party certified supply chain at every link.

The content of the master logger program is based on a common vision for the rural communities and forest resources of the Northeast. These nine Goals guide Master Loggers in their work: Document Harvest Planning, Protect Water Quality, Maintain Soil Productivity, Sustain Forest Ecosystems, Manage Forest Aesthetics, Ensure Workplace Safety, Demonstrate Continuous Improvement, Ensure Business Viability, and Uphold Certificate Integrity. There are detailed harvest responsibilities with explicit performance standards under each goal.

Field verifiers visit actual harvest sites to determine whether candidates for Northeast Master Logger Certification are meeting and exceeding the standards that are required for certification. Their findings are submitted to an independent, regional board that makes the final decision on whether a company will be certified.

To download the complete Master Logger Goals and Standards: NEMLC 9 Goals & Standards.

Testimonials

"Members of the Master Logger community belong to the most prestigious group of professional loggers in North America. They have widespread recognition and credibility —both geographically and across all facets of this business. Master Logger Certification is an excellent program that provides an efficient way to help manage change while certifying to major customers that the fiber Master Loggers produce is done to a recognized standard that has been verified by a third party."
—Greg Barrows, Verso Paper

"Master Logger Certification has helped me meet personal goals by helping to stay focused on safety and professionalism, and demanding that of employees."
—Cohort #2 Master Logger company

"For us, it's about personal recognition. There is no other team like ours and our work IS who we are. We like that Master Logger Certification recognizes that and creates a standard for the rest of the loggers in our state. And we know the mills are checking to see if we're certified. When times are hard, it's good to know that we'll be last on their list for downsizing because of our certification."
—Cohort # 3 father-and-son Master Logger Certified team