Environmental Profile

American hardwoods are sustainably grown, legally harvested, and responsibly managed to ensure minimal environmental impact. 

AHEC works closely with producers and industry bodies across North America to develop systems and tools that guarantee supply-chain transparency, carbon neutrality and ecological health. These include the Life Cycle Assessment tool – which calculates the full environmental impact of every hardwood species to the point of delivery to any country; the American Hardwood Environmental Profile (AHEP) – an online system allowing exporters to supply comprehensive and consolidated environmental data for all hardwood consignments; and the Interactive Forest Map – which tracks forest volumes across the United States, state by state and county by county.

Supported by detailed studies such as Seneca Creek Associates’ AHEC-commissioned report into supply-chain integrity, these tools preserve and promote the environmental credentials of American hardwoods, offering a comprehensive overview of the sustainability of these extraordinary materials.

Legality

A key priority is ensuring the value and reputation of legally harvested American hardwood

Sustainability

The U.S. hardwood forests are rapidly growing, with timber extracted on a cycle that's in tune with natural renewal

Environmental Impact

LCA data confirms that U.S. hardwoods have a low impact on the environment from the point of extraction through to final disposal

American Hardwood Environmental Profile

AHEC has developed an interactive tool for AHEC members providing environmental impact data

Life Cycle Assessment Tool

This interactive tool shows the environmental impact of delivering U.S. hardwood lumber to the overseas customer

Interactive Forest Map

Our unique, interactive map shows the national and regional distribution, growth and removal information of U.S. hardwoods

Project environmental profiles

AHEC conducts full Life Cycle Assessment Reports of its projects, measuring the total carbon footprint of each project

Seneca Creek

Assessment of Lawful Sourcing and Sustainability: U.S. Hardwood Exports

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Media

Content focusing on environmental issues and statements