WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) recognized Verso Corp. as a leader in sustainability with a 2015 AF&PA Sustainability Award. The award was presented at AF&PA’s annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 13, in San Antonio, Texas.

Verso Corp. received an Innovation in Sustainability Award for its Identifying and Mapping Vernal Pools on State Lands in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula project.

Designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry, AF&PA’s annual sustainability awards are given based on the merit of entries received across multiple categories.

“Verso Corp.’s project uses technology to enhance understanding and protection of vernal pools, an important component of forest ecosystems,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.

Verso Corp. engaged in a public-private partnership to identify and map vernal pools in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where the company procures wood for its pulp and paper production.

Vernal pools are small, shallow, temporary bodies of water that are important for healthy forest ecosystems because they provide food, water and habitat for a number of animal and plant species.

Aerial photography and other technologies were used to identify and map vernal pools so that they will not be overlooked and unintentionally damaged or destroyed.

“Thank you to AF&PA for recognizing us with this Innovation in Sustainability Award,” said Verso Corp. President and CEO David Paterson. “Verso is very proud that the results of our vernal pools project will enhance the responsible use of renewable resources in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and help our company and our industry continue to thrive in a sustainable manner.”

AF&PA member company applicants are considered in two categories. Projects that support progress toward the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals qualify for recognition in the “Leadership” category, which has five subcategories that correspond to the goals: Paper Recovery for Recycling, Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Sustainable Forest Management, Safety, and Water.

The “Innovation in Sustainability” award is reserved for projects that merit recognition for their contribution to sustainable business practices, not one of the goals specifically.

AF&PA releases its sustainability report every other year. The 2014 Sustainability Report showed that the U.S. pulp, paper, packaging and wood products manufacturing industry has made significant, measurable progress toward achieving its Better Practices, BetterPlanet 2020 sustainability goals.