SFI BLOG

SFI Community Grant Spotlight: Architecture Students Connect With Forests to Understand Carbon

The building and construction sector is responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, yet many architecture students graduate without a full understanding of the environmental impacts of construction materials. Because of this, architecture graduates enter the workforce and may find themselves gravitating toward certain construction materials without considering their environmental implications. While the ecological impact of construction materials is not always immediately apparent, architects must be aware, informed, and able to make responsible choices in building design.

May 27th, 2025|

SFI at the 2023 SAF National Convention

This year’s SAF National Convention was one for the books! Hosted in Sacramento, California, from October 25-28, five members of the SFI Team joined panels, workshops, and discussions exploring the proud legacy of forestry and the ongoing challenges and opportunities facing foresters and natural resources professionals. We were also a proud exhibitor, sharing more about our forest-focused activities and professional development offerings for SAF members and beyond!

November 7th, 2023|

From Canada’s Forest Week to Climate Week NYC: Championing Nature-Based Solutions for a Sustainable Future

The world has woken up to the urgent need for climate action and the critical role of nature-based solutions in mitigating and adapting to climate change. This transformational shift signifies a broader global recognition of the importance of forests and other natural systems in addressing the climate crisis. I had the opportunity to be part of this transformational shift recently at two major events in the same week: Canada’s National Forest Week and Climate Week NYC.

October 24th, 2023|

Shaping Your Path: Women’s Environmental Leadership Summit

From September 14–17, the Anacostia Community Museum hosted the Women’s Environmental Leadership Summit 2023 to explore the multiple ways in which environmentalism is practiced, pathways to environmental leadership, and best practices for community-centered advocacy and activism.

October 3rd, 2023|

SFI’s Catherine Langille Wins 2023 Skills Award for Indigenous Youth

Congratulations to Catherine Langille, Indigenous Relations Coordinator at SFI/Project Learning Tree Canada, for winning a 2023 Skills Awards for Indigenous Youth at a National Forest Week celebration in Ottawa on September 20. The awards were presented by the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) in partnership with the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM). The awards celebrate Indigenous youth for their achievements and aspirations in the forest products sector.

September 27th, 2023|

Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous Peoples Day

At the end of September, Canada commemorates Truth and Reconciliation Week 2023, culminating in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30. In the US, Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on Monday, October 9, followed by Native American Heritage Month throughout November.

September 26th, 2023|

Better Buildings and Sustainable Sites: Enhancing Efforts with SFI Standards

In the ever-evolving landscape of corporate sustainability, the pursuit of greener and more eco-conscious buildings has undergone a remarkable transformation. Gone are the days when the focus was solely on operational energy efficiency, with most sustainability professionals acknowledging that a building’s environmental impact extends beyond its HVAC systems and insulation.

September 26th, 2023|

PLT’s Ana Leirner: A Passion for Forest Literacy

Although Ana Leirner was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil—with a population of about 12.4 million people, it’s the world’s fourth largest city—her parents and teachers instilled in her a love of nature. She vividly remembers them taking her to Brazil’s national parks and other natural areas.

July 18th, 2023|

An Urban Forest Inflection Point: Paul Johnson on SFI’s New Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Board of Directors has approved a first-of-its kind Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard (UCFSS) for organizations that own, manage, or are responsible for urban and/or community forests. The UCFSS promotes sustainable urban and community forests based on 16 objectives, such as Community, People, and Indigenous Participation; Human Health and Well-Being; and Protection and Conservation of Biodiversity.

July 6th, 2023|

Celebrating Voices from SFI’s Indigenous Relations Team

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. In the spirit of celebrating the cultures, traditional knowledge, and achievements of Indigenous Peoples across Canada, I’d like to highlight my Indigenous colleagues that I’ve been working with here at SFI’s Indigenous Relations (IR) team.

June 29th, 2023|

Finding Your Place in the Green Space

In Spring 2022, Dr. Cathy Keeler was beginning to wrap up her Ph.D. in Integrative Public Policy and Development at Tuskegee University and looking for job opportunities. While browsing the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) website, she found Project Learning Tree (an initiative of SFI) and the Green Mentor program.

June 22nd, 2023|

Daniella (jia lu) Zhang: Wildfire management and indigenous cultural burns—synergies, conflicts, and shared vision for resilient landscapes

I had the pleasure of attending the 2023 SFI Annual Conference in collaboration with PEFC Week in Vancouver, British Columbia, from May 14-18, as a sponsored member of a delegation of 41 students and young professionals from all around the world. The theme of this year’s conference was “Forest + People + Nature positive,” which was reflected in the diverse array of session topics, from climate-smart forestry to supply-chain leadership. The most exciting topic for me was Indigenous rights and reconciliation through adaptive co-management of forest resources.

June 15th, 2023|

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