What factors influence obtaining forest certification in the U.S. Pacific Northwest?

This study explores the factors that influence obtaining forest certification in the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW). A mail survey sent to certified and non-certified forest managing entities (public agencies, forest industry and non-industrial private forest owners) was conducted. The study hypothesized the importance of sixteen biogeographical and socio-economic factors in facilitating the adoption of forest certification. Three of these factors (market pressure, land ownership pattern and water-body abundance) were found to influence the decision to obtain forest certification in the U.S. PNW.