BOSTON -- Some local contractors, builders and suppliers are using a relatively new "Seal of Approval" to help some of the world's most fragile forests.

NewsCenter 5's David Brown reported that it is a certification from the Forest Stewardship Council that promotes the sustainability of the world's forests. A local lumberyard is leading the way.

Renovation on a 7,500-square-foot home in Lincoln is rooted in some of the world's best-managed forests. Eighty percent of the lumber used is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

The FSC is a nonprofit organization that oversees the growing and eventual cutting of millions of acres of forests in 70 countries. Forests that follow the strict guidelines are certified by the council so builders know exactly where the wood is coming from and that it is coming from sustainable forests -- think of it as the Good Housekeeping seal for well-managed forests.

"I think that everybody is trying to understand a responsible way to build, and we're all going through the process together to learn a better way and an efficient way to build green," builder David Brookes said.

Using lumber from sustainable forests is one way.

In fact, the demand for FSC lumber has been growing rapidly over the last several years. Watertown's Sterritt Lumber has been stocking it now for three years. Now, it accounts for 10 to 20 percent of their lumber.

Pallets of certified lumber continue to get unloaded at Sterritt as the demand increases. As the region's first lumberyard to offer certified lumber, building comes with a conscience.

"They come from forests that are managed under the guidelines of the FSC, which is basically to promote sustainable harvesting, keeping ecosystems alive and well -- not clear-cutting. The rules are fairly rigid," said Clayton Schuller, of Sterritt Lumber.