Et voilà, c’est fini ! The 2026 SFI Annual Conference in Montréal, Quebec, brought together over 400 participants for a week of learning, celebrations, and fun.
2026 SFI Youth Delegate Program
Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, SFI welcomed a delegation of over 40 students and young professionals. Delegates had the opportunity to build new meaningful connections and enhance their skills through professional development.
2026 SFI Award Recipients
Arbor Day Foundation was recognized as the 2026 SFI CEO Award. Arbor Day Foundation was recognized for its strengthened corporate engagement in sustainable forestry and large-scale reforestation, and partnership to advance urban forestry, nature-based education, and Indigenous lands initiatives.
The Quebec SFI Implementation Committee (SIC) was announced as the 2026 SFI Implementation Committee Achievement Award winner for its wide-ranging engagement across the SFI Conservation, Standards, Community, and Education pillars, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to advancing sustainable forestry in Quebec.
Domtar was awarded the 2026 SFI Leadership in Conservation Award for its sustained engagement with the SFI Climate Smart Forestry Initiative and leadership in meaningful conservation efforts.
The inaugural SFI Indigenous Leadership Award, in honour of Chief Lorraine Cobiness, was presented to the Chiefs and Councilors of the Miisun Integrated Resource Management Company for leadership in land stewardship.
Indigenous Leadership in Forestry and Reflecting on a Legacy
We reflected on the legacy of Chief Lorraine Cobiness. In her memory, we announced the first SFI Indigenous Forest Leadership Award, in honour of Chief Lorraine Cobiness. We were honoured to be joined by Chief Cobiness’ family, friends, and colleagues, to present the award to the Miisun Integrated Resource Management Company Board as the inaugural recipient, recognized for their leadership in land stewardship.
Indigenous perspectives were also shared throughout the conference. Speakers emphasized how Indigenous leadership is already shaping forest management and how SFI certification supports communities’ self-determined land management goals.
Chief Lorraine Cobiness, Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation
Chief Stephen Angus McComber, Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke
Celebrating Impact
This year was especially meaningful as we celebrated the incredible career of Kathy Abusow and her upcoming retirement. Board members, colleagues, friends, and family shared memories of Kathy and reflected on her legacy. Thank you to attendees, speakers, sponsors, mentors, and all who made this a special conference! For more on the tribute to Kathy, read the article from Tree Frog Forestry News.
Lennard Joe, Chief Executive Officer BC First Nations Forestry Council British Columbia; and SFI Board Member, Kathy Abusow, CEO, SFI, and Dan Lambe, Chief Executive, Arbor Day Foundation and SFI Board Chair.
SFI Senior Leadership Team, Lauren Cooper, Chief Conservation Office; Kathy Abusow, CEO; Nadine Block, Senior VP, Network Initiatives; Christine Leduc, VP, Canadian Operations & Communications; and Jason Metnick, President.
Kathy Abusow and her family, Charles Andrascik, Paul Andrascik, and Nina Andrascik.
Nina Andrascik, landPLANNER Project Lead, Kintera (Formerly Chartwell/DWB).
Challenging Times and New Opportunities in Forest Sector Markets
Forest sector CEOs discussed how shifting supply chains, evolving trade policies, tariffs, and market transformation are reshaping the forest sector. Panelists discussed opportunities to invest and innovate as well as emphasized how we can focus on growing North America’s global market share for forest products.
Kathy Abusow, CEO, SFI; Diamond Sponsor, Derek Nighbor, President and CEO, Forest Products Association of Canada; Diamond Sponsor, Peter Madden, President and CEO, US Endowment for Forestry and Communities; and SFI Board Member, Lennard Joe, Chief Executive Officer, BC First Nations Forestry Council.
Forest Sector Markets, Certification, and Supply Chain Transparency
We explored the role of SFI certification in meeting global market expectations. Panelists highlighted how organizations are using SFI certification to support global reporting frameworks, including Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), as well as company-driven sustainability initiatives. These sessions reinforced forest certification as a powerful tool for delivering trusted market assurances and supporting long-term sustainability.
Shenandoah Johns, Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer, West Fraser; Kirsten Vice Senior VP, Sustainability and Canadian Operations, NCASI; Paige Goff VP Sustainability, Strategic Partnerships, and Engagement, Domtar; and Jason Metnick, President, SFI.
Fostering a Lifetime of Learning
Nadine Block, SFI Senior VP, Network Initiatives, and Christine Leduc, President of PLT Canada celebrated Project Learning Tree (PLT)’s 50-year anniversary and PLT Canada successes. Support PLT’s 50 Years Forward campaign to support investing in our environmental future.
Nature-Based Solutions from the SFI Footprint
Attendees explored the SFI Climate Smart Forestry (CSF) Initiative, hearing from SFI-certified organizations, SFI CSF Initiative National Advisory Committees, institutional research partners, and SFI CSF grant recipients on how climate‑informed management practices are being integrated across the SFI footprint. Sessions reinforced how applied research and on-the-ground investment are translating climate science into meaningful results.
Ross Holbrook, Sustainability Manager, Forest Investment Associates; Lindsay Tighe, General Manager, Stuwix Resources Joint Venture; Samuel Bourque, Manager Certification, Domtar; and Lauren Cooper, Chief Conservation Officer, SFI.
Speakers from North American data collaboratives and tool providers shared how spatial analytics are being applied in real-world forestry operations—improving planning, strengthening resilience, and enabling practitioners to make smarter, faster decisions in an increasingly complex and changing landscape.
Healy Hamilton, Chief Scientist, SFI; Marie-Michèle Rousseau-Clair, Chief Conservation Officer, Nature Conservancy of Canada; Kendall DeLyser Roney, Senior Director, Forest Climate Science, American Forests; Pete Stewart, President & CEO, ResourceWise; and Peter Stein, Managing Director, The Lyme Timber Company.
Networking and Connecting
We’re still energized by all the networking, catching up, and fun at the conference!
SFI Board Members, Heather Slayton, Assistant Commissioner and State Forester Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry Tennessee; Jessica Ireland, Director of Education Programs, North Carolina Forestry Association; Caitlyn Pollihan, CEO and Executive Director International Society of Arboriculture; and SFI External Review Panel Chair, Scott Phillips, State Forester SC Forestry Commission.
Derek Nighbor, President and CEO, FPAC; Darren Sleep, Chief Scientist, FPAC; Kathy Abusow, CEO, SFI; and Kirsten Vice, Senior VP, Sustainability and Canadian Operations, NCASI.
SFI Youth Delegates, Kyla Horsting-Minnabarriet, Jenna Bennett, Isobel Watson, and Georgia Van Damme.
SFI Annual Conference Fun Run sponsored by Smurfit Westrock.
SFI Youth Delegates, Dorcas Gyan and Esi Dadzie; and SFI Board Member, Sam Cook, Executive Director of Forest Assets, North Carolina State University.
Pete Madden, President and CEO US Endowment for Forestry and Communities; Jackson Morrill President & CEO American Wood Council; and SFI Board Secretary Treasurer, Brent Keefer, CEO, American Forest Management.
Jason Metnick, President, SFI; Chip Murray, President, Crabwood Consulting; Kathy Abusow, CEO, SFI; and Nadine Block, Senior VP, Network Initiatives.
Catherine Grenier, President and CEO, Nature Conservancy Canada.
Women in Wood & Women’s Forest Congress Lunch at the SFI Annual Conference
Elevating Urban Forestry at the SFI Annual Conference
We welcomed urban forestry supporters across the public, private, academic, and non-profit sectors to discuss strategic approaches for creating and achieving long-term goals. Our Urban Forestry Day was dedicated to Advancing community priorities with sustainable urban forest management. We invited guests to use the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard as a resource to identify and organize priorities while making connections to everyday work. Our team spoke about how we’re implementing this Standard in the United States and Canada.
Our day included a panel on approaches and resources to drive urban forestry outcomes with representatives from the Green Municipal Fund, Tree Canada, and Habitat. From left to right Meg Hanna (SFI), Charleen Kotiuga (Green Municipal Fund), Sylvia Wood (Habitat), Brijpal Patel (Tree Canada).
