Technical services

NCT offers a number of specialist/technical services to members: Certification NCT manages a FSC group certification scheme for members and keeps FSC-certified members informed on changes in policy. It also co-ordinates 2nd & 3rd party audits with a number of contact visits throughout the year. NCT provides advice on all aspects of forestry legislation and environmental issues related to certification. Technology Transfer NCT invests in co-operative research programmes rather than develop its own in-house capacity. This is achieved by investing in institutes and co-operative research programmes, thereby gathering information from large projects that NCT could otherwise not afford.  This also forms part of developing networks within the forestry community. It also provides the transfer of information to its members (through field days, study groups, symposia, training and working groups) to implement at farm level. Tree Improvement NCT ensures that its members have access to superior genetic material including clone material.  It provides advice on site clone matching and site species matching and advice on clone/market matching and species/market matching. GIS Mapping NCT uses the latest technology to update and produce members' farm maps on a five-year cycle.   Accurate maps are plotted using geo-referenced orthophoto’s and an Arc GIS programme.  A stand-alone mapping and planning package has been developed for members who need a GIS system at farm level.