About the Commission
» History & Mission Statement
History & Mission Statement
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Mission Statement
To enhance the public's understanding of the benefits of forestry and forest products in California.
History
The California Forest Products Commission was established by legislation in 1990 to educate the public about California forests and the products that they provide. The Commission's three main objectives through education, marketing and research efforts are:
* To educate the public about environmental and consumer benefits of forest management
* To assemble and publicize information about science-based forestry practices
* To demonstrate and communicate the commitment of California's forest industry to balancing environmental and economic concerns
The Commission is funded solely by producers who pay an assessment on their products.
No public funding is used to support Commission programs. Only companies producing five million board feet of logs or more annually are mandated to pay, thus excising small producers from an added burden. Harvest information is provided to the Commission by the state Board of Equalization to ensure accurate reporting of assessment obligation. Assessment rates are determined each year by the Commission Board of Directors. Rates are based on the type of activities to be accomplished in the following year.
The Commission is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors; a president and small staff manage Commission programs. Members represent small, medium and large forest products companies throughout the state. Activities generated by the Commission benefit every person involved in any way in the forest products industry, no matter what size the business. More important, the Commission's activities are designed to create a better economic and environmental climate in California by educating consumers about the importance of forest management.