FSC announces Conservation Facility to certify national parks and conservation areas - Forest Stewardship Council

Conservation areas play a vital role in protecting biodiversity and supporting climate action, yet many remain underfunded and vulnerable to degradation.

In response, FSC launched the Conservation Facility – an initiative to advance conservation, climate resilience, and equitable forest management by certifying high-value natural parks and conservation areas and unlocking ecosystem services markets.

The Facility will provide technical assistance and support access to Forest Management certification, including pathways for low-intensity managed forests. This will be complemented by verification of ecosystem services impacts through FSC’s Verified Impact programme, which measures benefits such as carbon storage and biodiversity protection, helping conservation managers demonstrate measurable environmental outcomes and access ecosystem service finance.

The fund aims to certify at least 25 million hectares in two years, focusing on high conservation value regions in Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia. FSC has already committed USD 1.7 million toward ongoing project work in 2026 and is seeking additional partners to help expand its impact.

FSC thanks the Slalom Foundation as its flagship sponsor through its 2025 climate grant, and our supporters Building and Wood Workers' International, FSC Indigenous Foundation, Olam Agri, Rainforest Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and Veracel.