SFI BLOG
SFI Conference Green Mentor Program Sets the Right Example
The annual conference’s theme was Collaborating for Communities and Forests, so it’s fitting that the conference also played host to its first SFI Conference Green Mentor cohort. Nineteen young adults were selected from across North America to participate in this four-month mentorship opportunity.
Doss Keynote at SFI Annual Conference: Consumers are Driving the Circular Economy
Consumer preferences for paper packaging are strengthening the circular economy, said Michael P. Doss, president and CEO of Graphic Packaging International, in his keynote address at the 2022 SFI Annual Conference in June.
USFS CHIEF MOORE
Randy Moore, Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, discusses partnering with SFI on climate change, wildfire risk, and sustaining healthy, resilient landscapes for generations to come.
A Call for Third-Party Certification Engagement on Wildfire Mitigation Strategies in the Western US
There is no question that wildfires in the western US are larger and more intense than in recorded history. As of August 1 this year, 60,000 wildfires have burned more than 7.1 million acres in the US, according to the National Interagency Fire Center—the vast majority in the West. These figures far exceed the 10-year, to-date average of 33,906 fires and 3.55 million acres. And there is no argument that this trend is likely to continue due to climate change, drought, a decline in forest health, overstocking of stands, and other factors.
Hundreds of forest and conservation leaders, educators, and more collaborate for communities and forests at the 2022 SFI/PLT Annual Conference
Over 350 people from the SFI and PLT networks gathered for a week filled with learning and discussion opportunities on the most pressing issues and challenges facing people and the planet, and how forests and environmental education can provide solutions.
SFI Welcomes Jacob Handel as Senior Director, Indigenous Relations
Jacob Handel, who recently joined SFI as Senior Director, Indigenous Relations, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in engaging with Indigenous people and groups to the Indigenous Relations Team. Handel has more than 20 years of experience in the environmental field, Indigenous and stakeholder engagement, strategy development, regulatory processes, and negotiation. Prior to joining SFI, he was an Aboriginal Affairs Advisor at a leading Canadian paper and forest products manufacturing company. His past experience also includes working for governments, the energy sector, and nonprofits.
Join the 2022 SFI/PLT Annual Conference – Collaborating for Communities and Forests
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Project Learning Tree (PLT) will host their first ever joint annual conference from June 14-16, in Madison, Wisconsin. With a theme of Collaborating for Communities and Forests, the event will be a week filled with learning and opportunities to discuss the most-pressing issues and challenges facing the people and the planet, including how sustainable forest management and environmental education provide effective solutions.
Get To Know SFI’s Newest Team Members
SFI is growing! Get to know our newest employees and what drives them to support our work in Standards, Education, Community, and Conservation.
Planting the Seed of Conservation With Children’s Books
In the classroom and at home, teaching children about nature can help them develop an appreciation for the environment, as well as the ability to make informed decisions in the face of real-world issues. Explore how an SFI Community Grant helped bring a forest-themed book into the hands of young readers.
Forest Literacy Framework Outlines Forest-related Programming for Natural Resource Professionals, Educators, and Others
Forests are part of a renewable supply chain for products we use every day, reducing our reliance on non-renewable and less sustainable materials like plastic.
SFI Celebrates International Women’s Day
For International Women’s Day 2022, SFI, Project Learning Tree (PLT), and PLT Canada, want to help #BreakTheBias. The women who are part of our staff, network of partners, SFI Board and Educational Operating Committee, SFI-certified organizations, and many other facets of our work show the value of SFI’s commitment to gender equality and a diverse and resilient workforce. Building a diverse and resilient workforce is one of the ways SFI celebrates the principles behind International Women’s Day every day.
Celebrating the Contributions of Black Americans in Conservation
Celebrate this Black History Month and the months to follow by deepening your learning and elevating the many important contributions of historic and current Black Americans working in forestry and natural resources conservation.
Women and Girls in Science Advocate for Community Greening and Climate Action
I’ve always loved being in the woods, but I didn’t realize that forestry was a viable career path for me until my early twenties.
Happy New Year From SFI
Happy New Year! I hope you and your loved ones had a peaceful holiday break. I am excited to start 2022 building on the positive change the SFI community makes every day in addressing local, national and global sustainability challenges.
Conserving Birds on a Continental Scale with Sustainable Forest Management
Birds don’t recognize borders, which is one reason why an SFI Conservation Grant is supporting a project called “Managed Forests for Birds in the Boreal Transition Region of the U.S. and Canada.” It’s a partnership between SFI, the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), and the Boreal Avian Modeling Project (BAM) an international scientific collaboration based at the University of Alberta.
Engaging Youth on Sustainable Forestry at Philmont Scout Ranch
Working with more than 600 Scouts over the course of one week this past summer left me feeling energized and enthusiastic about our forests and the next generation who will be responsible for them. I’ve worked at SFI since 2010, and I’m currently the Senior Vice President for Community and Government Relations. SFI advances sustainability through forest-focused collaboration, so while I get to work on forestry every day, it’s always a particular treat to get back in the woods for a week and really get my hands dirty and engage with youth who are so important to the future of our sector.