Rebecca Barnard

Rebecca Barnard is the Forest Certification Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). For five years Rebecca has managed and directed all aspects of DNR’s dual FSC and SFI Forest Management (FM) Certificates, both of which cover 4.98 million acres of state-administered forestland. Minnesota DNR was the first public agency to become FSC certified in 1997 and currently holds the largest single FSC FM Certificate in the Country. Statewide, across all ownerships, there are 8.5 million acres of certified forests in Minnesota, making the state a clear national leader in sustainability. Rebecca’s leadership and insight of all aspects related to forest management certification, are valuable when assessing the costs and benefits of forest certification as a sustainability and continuous improvement tool. Rebecca’s passion lies in working with
internal and external stakeholders to continuously improve DNR’s management of Minnesota’s beautiful natural resources, often by finding creative ways to strike a balance of active management, conservation, and preservation across the landscape. Rebecca is committed to working to improve the practicality and on-the-ground impact of Forest Management Certification schemes.