UKIAH, Calif. – Stewardship Council recently announced that Sarah Billig, stewardship director for the Mendocino and Humboldt Redwood Cos., was elected to its US Board of Directors.

FSC is an independent, nonprofit organization that protects forests for future generations. It is a membership-led organization that sets standards under which forests and companies are certified.

Billig will serve in the board’s Economic Chamber and work closely with FSC US staff to develop strategy, review and approve national forest management standards and policies, ensure effective financial oversight of the organization, and oversee the chief executive.

As the stewardship director for the Mendocino Family of Companies, Billig manages the organization’s FSC forest management certificates for more than 530,000 acres of forests, including a group certificate of external landowners.

She manages the FSC chain-of-custody certification for two sawmills, three distribution centers, and four treated-wood plants. In addition to these duties, Billig also manages the companies’ forest inventory and information systems.

“In this new board role, my first priority will be to build consumer awareness and market demand for wood products,” said Billig. “All of the rigorous standards and protections of FSC require strong market demand for FSC-certified products to be effective and I’m committed to making sure consumers understand the benefits of the certification.”

Billig’s three-year term begins on Sept. 1, 2018.