653,428 acres of state land certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI)
MISSOURI – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently announced that 653,428 acres of state land have been certified to one of the world’s most recognized, independent, third-party forest management certification standards, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) 2015-ˇ2019 Forest Management Standard.
“Certification to SFI considers all aspects of our forest management process – from our actions taken in the woods to the paperwork we keep in our files,” said MDC State Forester Lisa Allen. “We are extremely proud to achieve this certification, which means we have outside validation that we are properly managing our forest resources to assure their health and sustainability.”
SFI’s 2015-2021 Forest Management Standard is based upon principles, goals and performance measures that were developed nationally by professional foresters, conservationists and others with the intention of promoting sustainable forest management in the U.S. and Canada. SFI and its many partners work together to balance environmental, economic and social objectives such as conservation of wildlife habitat and biodiversity, harvesting forest products, protecting water quality, providing forest industry jobs and developing recreational opportunities. The SFI Forest Management Standard is also the only standard that requires participants to support forestry research.
“The Missouri Department of Conservation joins other progressive organizations that are demonstrating their leadership and transparency by certifying their lands to the SFI Forest Management Standard,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. “It is especially important to differentiate the responsible actors who are managing forests to maintain conservation values, sustain communities, and support responsible supply chains given that forest products are traded internationally. In other nations there are high risks of illegal logging and forest products are coming under increasing scrutiny.”
Successfully achieving certification to the SFI Standard positions MDC as a sustainability leader because certification provides assurances of responsible practices across the forest products supply chain. Working together, SFI and MDC can make connections between sustainable forestry work and important conservation outcomes including clean water and biodiversity. Broadening the practice of responsible forestry, and expanding the understanding and connection between forests and communities, helps make the link between well-ˇ managed forests and the public benefits that affect all of us every day.
MDC joins other public agencies seeking cost-effective and efficient methods to implement and achieve independent SFI certification through the SFI Forest Partners Program. The SFI Forest Partners Program was founded by Time Inc., the National Geographic Society, Macmillan Publishers and Pearson, with support from Hearst Enterprises.
As part of its certification, MDC will be required to undergo annual surveillance audits as well as full certification to the SFI Forest Management Standard every five years. The audits are conducted by an independent, accredited third-party certification body, and audit summaries are posted on the SFI website.
ABOUT SFI
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) advances sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. We are an independent, nonprofit organization that leverages four interconnected pillars of work: standards, conservation, community, and education. SFI works with the forest sector, conservation groups, academics, researchers, brand owners, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments. Collaborating with our network, we leverage SFI-certified forests and products as powerful tools to help solve sustainability challenges such as climate action, conservation of biodiversity, education of future generations, and sustainable economic development.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christine Leduc
VP, Communications and Government Relations
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
613-706-1114
media@forests.org
About the Missouri Department of Conservation
The Missouri Department of Conservation protects and manages Missouri’s fish, forest, and wildlife resources. MDC also facilitates public participation in resource-management activities, and provides opportunities for people to use, enjoy and learn about nature. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov.
Media Contact
Joe Jerek
News Services Coordinator
Missouri Department of Conservation
573-751-4115 ext. 3362
Joe.Jerek@mdc.mo.gov
