SFI BLOG

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.

SFI-certified forests provide healthy habitat for millions of bats, and it’s more important than ever to appreciate the critical role bats play.

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.

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.

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.

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.

These three SFI staff members may work full-time, but that didn’t stop them from furthering their professional education.

Over the past year, I have been participating in various professional development webinars offered by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Project Learning Tree (PLT), and PLT Canada, including sessions on Making a Good First Impression, Resume Building 101, and a Workforce Panel.

SFI, with help from forest sector volunteers, joined the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) 2023 National Jamboree in Summit Bechtel Reserve (an SFI-certified property) near Beckley, West Virginia, from July 19th to the 28th.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Over 500 people joined us for the SFI/PEFC Forest + People + Nature positive conference. This year's theme highlighted the positive ways in which sustainable forest management can be positive for people, forests, and nature while evolving to address expectations of the workforce, community, government, customer, and conservation priorities.