The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is proud to announce Clemson University as the first organization to achieve certification to the full SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. This landmark achievement highlights Clemson’s dedication to responsibly managing campus trees and green spaces, providing long-term benefits for the institution, students, and the broader community.
“As a land-grant institution, Clemson has a responsibility to lead in the stewardship of our natural resources for the benefit of all South Carolinians,” said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones. “This certification reflects the foresight and dedication of our faculty and staff and ensures that our forests and green spaces will continue to serve, inspire, and educate.”
The SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard, launched in May 2023, is the first comprehensive standard designed for the sustainable management of trees in urban and community settings. The standard is designed for organizations of all sizes, including cities, municipalities, educational institutions, corporate campuses, nonprofits, and private entities. It emphasizes meaningful local community engagement in urban forest management decisions.
“Clemson is uniquely positioned to lead in sustainable forest management, given the rich history of South Carolina’s forestland. By certifying to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard, we are enhancing our urban forests’ health while strengthening our research and collaboration with forestry professionals to address challenges and opportunities in our state,” said Pat Layton, Director of Clemson University’s Wood Utilization and Design Institute and Vice Chair of the SFI Board of Directors.
As part of the certification process, Clemson underwent a rigorous third-party audit of their urban forest, demonstrating compliance with more than 16 objectives and over 100 indicators. The audit covered everything from how Clemson’s forests strengthen the community, enhance local economies, and broaden public engagement, to protecting, conserving, and improving biodiversity. The independent audit was conducted by NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR). Certification by third parties like NSF-ISR ensures transparency, builds credibility, and gives stakeholders confidence that robust sustainability standards are being upheld.
“We’re thrilled to recognize Clemson for leading the way as the first organization certified to the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI. “By pursuing SFI certification, Clemson University gains recognition, credibility, and long-term resilience in managing campus forests while preparing students for careers in forestry, conservation, and sustainability.”
SFI developed the new SFI Urban and Community Forest Standard in collaboration with key partners, including American Forests, Arbor Day Foundation, the International Society of Arboriculture, the Urban and Community Forestry Society, and Tree Canada. The standard was guided by the expertise of the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard Development Task Group, ensuring it also reflects the needs and priorities of urban forestry professionals. Together, the partners aim to raise awareness of the critical role urban and community forests play and provide clear guidance for sustainable planning and management. Through this work, SFI supports the resiliency and sustainability of communities by using trees and forests as natural solutions to enhance public health, expand access to green spaces, and strengthen social connections.
SFI remains committed to promoting sustainable urban and community forests and looks forward to more universities, communities, and municipalities achieving certification to this unique standard. To learn more about the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard and how to pursue certification, visit forests.org/UrbanStandard.
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 CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
One of the most productive public research universities in the nation, Clemson University enrolls 28,747 students across the State of South Carolina and has an endowment of over $1 billion. The University operates Extension offices in every county of the state and has five Innovation Campuses and six Research and Education Center locations. Classified as an R1 — Very High Research University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — Clemson is dedicated to teaching, research and service. Our main campus, located in Upstate South Carolina, sits on 1,400 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along the shores of Lake Hartwell. Through the research, outreach and entrepreneurial projects led by our faculty and students, Clemson University is driving economic development and improving quality of life in South Carolina and beyond. Learn more at clemson.edu.
