A Conversation with leaders in forestry and packaging
As the demand for fiber-based materials continues to grow, understanding the role of sustainable forestry becomes increasingly important—for industries, for landowners, and for the planet.
In this Field Notes conversation, Wes Carter, President of Atlantic Packaging and founder of A New Earth Project, talks with forestry experts to explore how certification standards, market demand, and forest management practices are shaping the future of packaging and conservation. Joining Wes are Scott Phillips, South Carolina State Forester, James Douglas, SC State Lands Coordinator, and Eric Smith, SC Forestry Commissioner and Sustainability Manager at Smurfit WestRock.
Q: Why is sustainable forestry a growing focus in the packaging industry?
Wes Carter:
Sustainable forestry is becoming a bigger and bigger deal in packaging because we’re moving toward nature-based and fiber-based products. The demand is growing exponentially, and our forests - the environments where these fiber-based feedstocks are cultivated - are critical to that future. They’re essential not just to business, but to a healthy planet and healthy people.
⸻
Q: What’s the core principle behind sustainable forestry?
Scott Phillips:
At its core, sustainable forestry is about producing forests in the future that meet the needs we have today. Yes, we harvest trees, but we’re also planting the next generation of trees and managing for clean air, clean water, and biodiversity. It’s not just about lumber.
⸻
Q: So sustainable certifications like FSC and SFI - what do these actually measure?
Scott Phillips:
These certifications are comprehensive and really look at the sustainability of the forest itself. Whether it’s the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), or PEFC (an international certification), all of them are measuring qualities that ensure we can continue to produce forests into the future. They assess things like forest regeneration, endangered species protection, community impact, and ecosystem health. These aren’t just checkboxes, they’re a way to ensure that forests are sustainable for generations.
⸻
Q: What does sustainability look like beyond the trees?
James Douglas:
It’s really about the whole ecosystem. Sustainable forestry includes everything from clean air and water to carbon sequestration, climate-smart practices, and fire resiliency. These are all objectives under certification standards like SFI, and they matter just as much as the timber itself.
⸻
Q: Why are markets so important in forest sustainability?
Scott Phillips:
In the Southeast, most forest land is privately owned. If landowners don’t have a way to profit from responsible forestry, they’re more likely to sell that land for development. Markets for forest products give landowners a reason to keep forests as forests. And that’s a win for everyone - economically and environmentally.
⸻
Q: How does the forest industry support private landowners?
Eric Smith:
We work to educate and support landowners, even when their main goal isn’t managing a forest. A lot of them care about wildlife or recreation more than timber. But by promoting sustainable forestry, we help them generate income while protecting those values. That’s the beauty of this industry. We can help provide a sustainable fiber flow and help landowners keep their land forested.
And let’s be clear: if we want to stay in business, we need trees. We’re fully invested in keeping forests healthy and thriving.
⸻
Q: Final thoughts?
Scott Phillips:
As long as we’re harvesting responsibly, planting trees back, and managing for future generations, we’re on the right path.
⸻
Sustainable forestry isn’t just about trees, it’s about balance. It’s the careful alignment of economic needs, environmental health, and long-term stewardship. It means meeting today’s demand for paper, packaging, and wood products while ensuring forests remain intact and thriving for future generations. It’s about balancing the needs of private landowners with the health of ecosystems, and balancing market growth with responsible, science-based forest management.
When done right, sustainable forestry is part of the solution to building a healthier, more regenerative future - for business, for people, and for the planet.
Thank you to Wes Carter, Scott Phillips, James Douglas, and Eric Smith for sharing their insights and helping us understand how forests can thrive alongside the industries that depend on them.