That’s a wrap! The 2025 SFI Annual Conference in Minneapolis brought together over 340 participants for a week full of learning and celebration. The event marked SFI’s 30-year anniversary and the start of SFI’s 2025–2030 Strategic Direction, bringing together the SFI network to talk about milestones and shared goals for the future.
As we celebrate this year’s event, we invite you to mark your calendars for the 2026 SFI Annual Conference in Montréal, Québec, from May 5–7, 2026.
Celebrating 30 Years, Looking to the Future
A highlight of the conference was when SFI leaders shared reflections on SFI’s journey to achieving a progressive forest certification standard and growing its programming to conservation, community, and education work. Their contributions were celebrated, and speakers reinforced that we should continue to focus on transparency, conservation collaborations, and innovation.
Speakers communicated the importance of trying new approaches to sustainability, urging attendees to “dare to be different” and keep pushing boundaries. There was a focus on growing the next generation through environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways.
Fostering a Lifetime of Learning
Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, SFI welcomed a delegation of over 35 students and young professionals. Delegates had the opportunity to build meaningful connections and enhance their skills through professional development.
Attendees learned how Project Learning Tree (PLT) supports forest literacy from an early age and why promoting a forest-literate society across all communities is essential. Speakers emphasized the power of mentorship and the need to create a workplace where the next generation feels a sense of purpose, belonging, and opportunity.
Forest Certification and Markets
We explored the innovative practices that organizations are utilizing in forest management, urban spaces, green building, and product development. Innovation is about more than products; it’s about people and partnerships. SFI supports this approach by strengthening resilience, promoting collaboration, and strengthening supply chains.
Speakers emphasized that organizations want to make credible product claims. With growing trust in certification and demand for wood in people’s homes and buildings, the recognition of SFI-certified products is strong.
Spotlighting Indigenous Stewardship: The Stuwix Resources Joint Venture Story
SFI was proud to spotlight Stuwix Resources Joint Venture, an organization owned and operated by eight First Nations in British Columbia, with a short video. Attendees also heard from the General Manager, Chief Lindsay Tighe, on Stuwix’s values and land management practices. We invite you to watch the full spotlight.
Approaches to Conservation: Nature Frameworks, Climate Resiliency, and Magnificent Maps
Measure This! The Value of SFI in Global Reporting Frameworks was an attendee highlight for its overview of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and principles behind the framework, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) work to lead on nature-positive assessments for the forest sector, and their connections to the SFI standards.
Speakers also discussed the role of sustainable forest management in addressing climate change and demonstrated how spatial data and technology can support forest management and conservation efforts, enabling more informed decision-making.
At the SFI Conservation Impact Workshop, the SFI Conservation Team and expert panelists led a deep dive into various applications and evolving discussions related to climate-informed practices for forest management in support of the SFI Forest Management Standard, Objective 9: Climate Smart Forestry.
2025 SFI Award Recipients
Dr. Pat Layton, Director of the Wood Utilization and Design Institute at Clemson University, was recognized as the 2025 President’s Award winner for her leadership and longstanding contributions to SFI and to urban forestry, forest literacy, and innovation in green building.
Jimmy Bullock (center), Senior Vice President, Forest Sustainability at Resource Management Service, LLC, was presented with the 2025 Sharon Haines Award for his lifelong dedication to collaborative conservation and sustainable forest management.
The Washington SFI Implementation Committee (SIC) was announced as the 2025 SFI Implementation Committee Achievement Award winner for promoting forest sector career pathways and fostering forestry literacy among young people, engaging students, educators, and communities about the critical role of forestry to Washington’s economy and communities.
The Lyme Timber Company was presented with the 2025 SFI Leadership in Conservation Award for a longstanding commitment to advancing conservation outcomes across its land base. SFI specifically recognized Managing Directors Peter Stein and Sean Ross for their instrumental leadership in partnering on meaningful conservation efforts.
