The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) (1) is celebrating the occasion of its 10-year anniversary in France with the erection of the first sustainable French billboard, high above the city on a rooftop situated near the "Porte de Clichy" in Paris' 17th arrondissement.

Based on an idea by Cedric Peiffer, a 20 metres high billboard and 3 tonnes structure will be on top of the building for a two-year period from September 2009-September 2011. The billboard uses plants to spell out the letters and message, "For our Forests", and the address of the blog dedicated to the event, "nos-forest.org".

The logo and texts are made using PEFC certified French wood, and at night the sign will be illuminated using low energy consumption lighting.

The construction of the billboard has taken five months, commencing in May this year, with the construction of the PEFC letters and plant cultivation. Some 200 plants have been used to form the four letters of PEFC. All the materials used have been selected to maintain the environmental integrity of the project. Hence the use of plants, PEFC-certified timber, rainwater recovery, low energy lighting etc. A community communication channel or blog has also been developed to mark the occasion and a video will also be broadcast on the internet and various websites.

Stephane Marchesi, National Secretary of PEFC France commented, "The more consumers choose PEFC-certified products, the greater the incentive for responsible forest management. Therefore it is important that the PEFC logo can be recognised by as many people as possible. This is why PEFC France will communicate its message for two years with this unique, living billboard."

PEFC is an international association, created in Europe in 1999. Its aim is to encourage sustainable forest management around the world through its forest certification programme. With members in 35 countries, PEFC is the world's largest forest certification scheme. In France its membership is drawn from the National Office for Forests, Private Forest Owners Federation, ENGO, Wood industry, etc. Some 45,000 forest owners are PEFC certified in France and more than 1,500 companies have a PEFC chain of custody.