Finding objective, verifiable information about a product’s true overall sustainability has become one of the responsible architect’s most demanding tasks. Western redcedar, a common softwood used for centuries as a lightweight, fine-grained, naturally insect resistant building material, is also highly sustainable. This course focuses on two specific, objective approaches to understanding and verifying western redcedar’s environmental benefits: forest certification and Life Cycle Analysis using international standards. Western redcedar is analyzed throughout its growth, manufacturing, use and re-use, from carbon absorption as a seedling to energy efficient insulator in a building through reclamation for continuing use as a net “carbon sink.” Case studies also illustrate its many additional characteristics beyond sustainability.