The United States Senate passed a resolution in 2010 supporting hardwood by recognizing it as an environmentally preferable building material.

Resolution S. Res. 411 recognized United States hardwoods as an abundant, sustainable, and legal resource. The Senate also mandated that United States hardwoods and products derived from these hardwoods be given full consideration in any program that promotes the construction of environmentally preferable commercial, public, or private buildings.

The Resolution specifically identified United States hardwoods as an abundant, sustainable, and legal resource as documented annually by the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The USDA analysis showed that the hardwood inventory in the United States has more than doubled during the past 50 years, and that annual hardwood growth currently exceeds annual hardwood removals by a margin of nearly two to one, meaning that for every tree harvested in the United States, nearly two are planted in its place. The study further showed that annual growth of United States hardwoods has exceeded annual removals every year since 1952.

The legislation was supported by the Hardwood Federation, a coalition of more than 30 associations, including the National Wood Flooring Association, representing the interests of the United States hardwood industry. The United States hardwood industry employs millions of families throughout the country, representing thousands of jobs in nearly every state and hundreds of Congressional districts.

Learn more about the NWFA.