SFI BLOG
An Urban Forest Inflection Point
Paul Johnson had a good job and was happy with his work as the Texas A&M Forest Service's urban and community forestry program leader. But in 2021, when he heard about a position with Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) as Senior Director of Urban and Community Forestry, he was intrigued. After an interview and talking to his colleagues about SFI, Johnson decided that the opportunity to participate in developing SFI's Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard (UCFSS) (SFI 2023a) was too good to pass up.
Blog 1 – SFI Statement on LEED: Discrimination Against North American Wood
You’ve probably seen the U.S. and Canadian SFI statements on the LEED Certification credits referenced on our website, the petition and in various other mediums.
Forest Experts in the US and Canada Ask USGBC to Open LEED
Two major North American groups representing forestry experts have weighed in with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) on the LEED standard.
Two Ways to Show You Care About the Forests
Earth Day messages and actions around reducing, reusing and recycling have been a great success.
Built Green Canada: Inclusive – and Expanding
The fact non-profit Built Green Canada is expanding across Canada is wonderful news for anyone who views wood as a great environmental choice.
SFI + FSC = Healthier Forests
As I’ve said before, making the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System more inclusive would be of value for green building and the North American economy.
Society of American Foresters CEO Says Open LEED!
The only solicited comments the Building Council seems to be heeding are coming from groups bent on promoting a monopoly.
Building Design + Construction Advocates to Open LEED
For the past decade, the USGBC has given the Forest Stewardship Council a monopoly on wood from its forests being used in LEED Projects.
The Real Green
Last week SFI was highlighted on a CTV broadcast as a label consumers can trust.
We Still Need Your Support
Let me say how grateful I am to the SFI, ATFS, CSA and PEFC supporters who have stood behind us in our efforts urging the USGBC to open its LEED Rating System.
New Faces Join SFI Board
I’m excited to report that Oregon State Forester Marvin Brown has been elected SFI Chair.
Tell the USGBC to Open the LEED Rating System By Signing The Petition
We’ve heard from a lot of people and organizations over the past few weeks about dissatisfaction with the direction the USGBC is taking the forest certification benchmarks.
Rolling around the White House
The White House unveiled its official design and logo for this year’s Easter Egg Roll souvenirs.
New SFI Milestone: SFI Marks 2,000 Chain-of-Custody Certified Locations
I am thrilled to announce that SFI has reached our 2000th chain of custody location!
Opening the USGBC’s LEED Standard – What’s Missing From the Discussion
An online magazine just posted a piece on the USGBC revision of the LEED standard and unfortunately, the reporter really gets lost in the woods.
SFI’s Statement on the USGBC’s 3rd Draft Benchmarks for Forest Certification
The US Green Building Council released for public comment a 3rd round of draft benchmarks to evaluate forest certification programs.
