SFI COMMUNITY GRANTS
The SFI Community Grants promote collaboration with the SFI Network to support local communities’ understanding of the value and benefits from sustainably managed forests.
SFI Community Grants are awarded for collaborative community-based projects, activities or events that support SFI’s efforts to connect communities to forests. Projects supported have included providing educators with tools to showcase green career pathways with students, incorporating Indigenous knowledge into forest management planning and education curriculum, and building youth engagement in outdoor education and conservation project.
Since the SFI Grants started in 2010, SFI has awarded 101 Community Grants totaling more than $950,000 to foster community-building projects.
GRANTS BY CATEGORY
SFI Community Grants
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
Piloting the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard
Collecting Data and Documenting the First SFI-Certified Urban Forest
Why this Project Matters
North America contains some of the most urban landscapes on the planet, with more than 80% of the US and Canadian populations living in cities. Forests are an important element of these urban environments, providing many social and environmental benefits, including improved health and wellbeing, access to outdoor learning environments, climate change solutions, reduced air pollution, lower temperatures, and improved urban design. Despite these benefits, tree canopy coverage and maintenance varies between communities, and not all city-dwellers equally enjoy the life-saving benefits trees provide.
How the Project Is Helping Collect and Share Important Certification Documentation
Urban and community forestry involves both planning and managing urban forests because healthy urban forests require the right tree, planted in the right place, in the right way. The first university forest certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard, Clemson has been a pioneer in sustainable management of their campus’s trees (including the more than 17,000-acre/6,880 hectare Clemson Experimental Forest), having maintained SFI certification since 2013. Now, they are working to obtain certification to the new SFI Urban and Community Forest Standard for the 1,400 acres/566 hectares of urban forest on campus and documenting their efforts of continuous improvement. As part of the project, the university will create a public website to share how they document and prepare for third-party verification.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting Clemson University by providing resources needed for data collection and documentation leading to certification, essential for the future management decisions and financial support of the university.
Partners
This partnership includes Clemson University faculty and graduate students, forestry professionals, and an SFI certified organization.
- Project lead: Clemson University
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- South Carolina SFI Implementation Committee
- South Carolina Forestry Commission (SFI-certified organization)
Related Information
Grant – Clemson University The South Carolina Women Owning Woods Network
SFI Collaborating with Women Changing the Face of Forestland Ownership
South Carolina Forest Products Sector: Connecting Teachers and Foresters
SFI Is Helping Inspire Future Forest Leaders in South Carolina
About Clemson University Cooperative Extension College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Clemson University was established to fulfill its founder’s vision of “a high seminary of learning” to develop “the material resources of the state” for the people of South Carolina. Clemson Extension helps improve the quality of life of all South Carolinians by providing unbiased, research-based information through an array of public outreach programs in youth development, agribusiness, agriculture, food, nutrition and health, and natural resources. With offices in all 46 counties of the state, Clemson Extension works to help support South Carolina’s $42 billion agriculture and forestry industries; strengthen families and communities; improve stewardship of natural resources and the environment; strengthen connections between people and their food; and expose South Carolina youth to opportunities in agriculture, science, technology, engineering, and math.
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CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
Showcasing Green Architecture Made From Sustainably Managed Arkansas Forests
Connecting Communities to Forests Through Art With the House of Trees Exhibit
Why this Project Matters
Traditional construction is a major contributor to carbon dioxide CO2 emissions, with the built environment responsible for nearly 50% of annual global emissions. Locally sourced materials from SFI certified, sustainably managed forests provide a greener alternative to traditional building materials like concrete and steel, all while storing carbon, and providing beautiful spaces for us to work, learn, and live. The LEVENBETTS pavilion project is an interactive Architecture at Home exhibit that provides a setting for contemplation, community outreach, and experiential learning. The exhibit seeks to inspire awareness of where building materials are sourced and the future of sustainable innovative design. Visitors will explore the serious environmental and economic impact of building and the importance of making sustainable housing more accessible. The pavilion and exhibit space will provide an innovative and inviting setting for community events, such as Project Learning Tree programs, that advance forest literacy and increase awareness of the many benefits of forests in urban and rural communities.
How the Project Connects Communities to Local Forests and Highlights Green Buildings
Free to visit and open to all, visitors will be able to see and touch the innovative designs made from local trees and learn about sustainable forest practices and products. By showcasing wood products from regional forests, the project makes direct connections to the forest through material and experience, and underlines that green homes start with healthy forests. The pavilion itself is a case study in how architecture, engineering, and construction are deeply connected with the continuum of benefits provided by regional forests. The pavilion will become a physical representation of sustainable forestry supply chains with countless benefits for local communities. Crystal Bridges hopes to continue these conversations with a future symposium for forestry professionals from the forestry and architecture communities to highlight tangible, real-world applications for sustainable wood-based construction and designs.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting the project by leveraging SFI Implementation Committee outreach to the architecture, engineering, and construction community about the project and benefits of building with SFI‑certified products. By connecting the project to environmental education and PLT programming, pavilion and exhibit visitors will gain awareness of forest literacy and green jobs resources that will enhance the museum’s ability to reach underserved and rural communities.
Partners
This partnership includes Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; architectural firm LEVENBETTS; SFI-certified organization Resource Management Service, LLC; and PLT Arkansas state sponsor, Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation.
- Project lead: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- LEVENBETTS
- Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation
- Resource Management Service, LLC (SFI-certified organization)
Related Information
Arkansas SIC Partners with Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation for PLT Workshops
Crystal Bridges Museum debuts five house prototypes that take on Northwest Arkansas’s housing crisis
About Crystal Bridges
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization that receives more than 675,000 guests each year. The museum opened in 2011 and welcomes all with free admission to explore five miles of sculpture and walking trails that link the museum’s 120-acre/49-hectare park to downtown Bentonville, Arkansas.
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THE FOREST EXPLORATION CENTER
An Immersive Introduction to Green Jobs Along an Accessible Forest Trail
Exploring Forest and Conservation Careers… in a Forest!
Why this Project Matters
In the next decade, one-third of the forest sector’s workforce is set to retire. Inspiring young people to pursue a green career pathway is critical, as our health and wellbeing ultimately depend upon the diversity of professions that maintain a healthy, productive, and sustainable natural world for us all. The forest and conservation sector has also failed to attract and retain Black American professionals, with a recent US Census Survey finding that less than three percent of foresters and conservation scientists identify as African American.
The Forest Exploration Center is located at the heart of the largest school district in the state of Wisconsin, serving 75,000 students across more than 150 schools. Many of these schools and students are located without access to greenspace and do not have sufficient funding to provide transportation for field trips. The Center is an important resource that allows Milwaukee students (54% of whom are African American) to connect with local forests, create positive outdoor experiences, learn about forest management, and discover future green career pathways.
How the Project connects schools to sustainable forests, builds forest literacy, and inspires green jobs
The Green Jobs trailside exhibit project is immersing Milwaukee students and educators in nature, inspiring stewardship, and demonstrating that forest careers are a rewarding, viable, and meaningful choice for students living in Wisconsin’s urban center.
The project will build upon Project Learning Tree’s (PLT) “Who Works In this Forest” activity from Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers and other forest literacy activities by creating engaging, hands-on exhibit stations along an accessible forest trail that highlights sustainable forestry and forest sector career pathways and professions. This will include a self-guided option to virtually meet those who work in and for forests through a multimedia experience visitors can access by QR code with their cell phone.
The one-mile loop of trail will provide meaningful recreation for all and support self-exploration and student discovery under the canopy of shaded woodland. Designed and built to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines for wheelchair, stroller, and foot traffic. Along the trail will be professionally designed interpretive exhibits meant to deepen understanding of the forest, including a unique series of 12 self-guided career exhibits and activities, as well as eight engaging, hands-on exhibit stations that highlight how to manage and monitor forest health.
SFI’s Contribution
SFI Implementation Committee network of local forestry professionals and forest organizations, creating a network of regional expertise and opportunities for green career networking. The Wisconsin PLT network is connecting the project to regional environmental education and PLT resources and programming.
Partners
This project includes state PLT and SFI Implementation Committee partners, as well as university and state natural resources agency professionals.
- Project lead: LEAF Wisconsin’s k12 Forestry Education Program
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Project Learning Tree Wisconsin
- Wisconsin SFI implementation Committee
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry
About The Forest Exploration Center
The Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable forestry, education, and accessible recreation. By creating meaningful opportunities to deepen understanding of forest ecology and sustainable management, the Center is engaging the community and encouraging local forest stewardship. Learn more.
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PACIFIC EDUCATION INSTITUTE
Meaningful Forest Experiences and Training for Educators and Community Leaders
Field Experiences Where Forest Literacy Comes Alive
Why this Project Matters
Forests cover more than 31% of the global land area but are not equally distributed and enjoyed by all communities. Despite this, forests are one of our most powerful tools to mitigate climate change, providing solutions to many of the world’s most important sustainability challenges. From climate change to water quality and biodiversity, well-managed forests provide viable solutions to achieve social and environmental outcomes. It is important for diverse groups of people to understand the values and benefits of forests. By gaining forest literacy, people acquire the tools and knowledge they need to keep our forests sustainable over the long term, while continuing to benefit from them.
With support from partners, including SFI and Project Learning Tree (PLT), PEI will design and deliver a two-day forestry professional learning experience for formal K-12 educators and forestry-based community collaborators. The first day of the project’s professional learning experience will include a forest field tour facilitated by the Washington Farm Forestry Association and Washington State University Forestry Extension that highlights forest management and green jobs. Field experiences will take place on small plots of private forest landowner properties and tree farms, a local Weyerhaeuser lumber mill, and state-managed forestland. The second day of this experience will include a workshop exploring PEI and PLT resources. Participants will have the opportunity to chat with community partners and will learn new methods for integrating locally relevant forest literacy education into their teacher practice.
PLT’s environmental literacy and green job resources allow students to learn how to think about the environment and use forests as unique windows on the world. By leveraging PLT’s educational expertise with the knowledge and perspectives of small Southwestern Washington forest landowners and providing opportunity for place-based learning about local forest ecosystems and sustainable forest management, educators will discover resources to help students engage more intimately with regional efforts to conserve the biological diversity of forests and promote climate resilience. The project will include professional PLT training experiences and will promote awareness of the conservation outcomes that demonstrate the important contribution of SFI’s footprint.
How the Project connects schools to sustainable forests, builds forest literacy, and inspires green jobs
This project will foster collaboration between local communities and the SFI network to increase mutual understanding of the values and benefits provided by sustainably managed forests. Touring forests with small landowners and engaging with professional forest literacy and training for educators provides a powerful framework of personal experience. By inspiring educators to become engaged and informed with the sustainable management of their regional forests, the project is encouraging forest literacy and helping inspire educators to support the next generation of green consumers and future sustainability leaders.
This project connects school districts that are rural and attended by historically underserved and underrepresented remote and rural communities, introducing young people to the many forest and conservation careers available in their local community. By training formal educators to integrate equitable, outdoor, and locally relevant career connections into their lessons, diverse groups of students will learn about environmental challenges in their communities and understand potential solutions and the green career pathways to support.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting the project by leveraging SFI Implementation Committee Washington PLT state networks and connecting the project to regional forest sector expertise through partnership with associations, foundations, universities, and tree farms. Washington SFI committee members will be on site for the field and workshop portions of the project to provide SFI resources relating to land productivity, forest and road management, timber harvesting, legacy planning, and salmon recovery practices.
Partners
This project includes state PLT and SFI Implementation Committee support, as well as partner associations and foundations, state agencies, and university professionals.
- Project lead: Pacific Education Institute (Washington PLT state sponsor)
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Washington SFI Implementation Committee
- Washington Farm Forestry Association
- Washington State University Forestry Extension
- Custer Creek Tree Farm
- Family Forest Foundation
- Pacific County Commissioners
- South Bend School District
- Weyerhaeuser (SFI-certified organization)
Related Information
Training Yakama Nation Tribal Educators in Project Learning Tree Lessons
Forestry-based STEM Professional Development for Teachers in Washington State
About the Pacific Education Institute
The Pacific Education Institute (PEI) promotes civic and scientific literacy by empowering people to make balanced, well-informed decisions for just and sustainable communities. PEI promotes outdoor, integrated, career connected, locally relevant, real-world science through teaching resources and professional training. Learn more.
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SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES INSTITUTE
Promoting Urban Forestry and Harvesting Waste Wood in Waukesha County, Wisconsin and Beyond
Engaging stakeholders and providing technical assistance to municipalities to incorporate urban wood utilization into municipal planning.
Why this Project Matters
The utilization of urban wood that must be removed due to disease, pests or other circumstances is an important aspect of a community’s sustainability, yet many of the communities in Waukesha county have not planned for the maintenance, care and use of their urban trees. Typically, when municipalities remove urban trees due to death, disease or development, the wood is treated as waste and is disposed of by chipping or even being left to rot in landfills. These processes cost municipalities money and time while bringing little value back to the community. By establishing community forest and urban wood utilization plans, communities can use this local, sustainable, and renewable resource to enhance the local environment and reduce community expenses.
How the Project Is Helping Municipal Officials Incorporate Urban Wood Utilization into Municipal Planning
The Sustainable Resources Institute (SRI) is providing technical assistance to Waukesha County to complete their urban forest management and wood utilization plan that will serve as an example for other municipalities in the county, in Wisconsin and beyond. SRI is developing a story map template and partner PDF from this plan that other communities can use in their urban tree lifecycle planning processes. This tool will include photos and videos that will show as well as tell how to overcome common barriers to adoption and sustainability of full lifecycle management.
The urban forest management plan will broaden urban forest management to include the entire lifecycle of the tree. This will provide opportunities for municipalities to reap environmental benefits and cost-savings that can be reinvested into tree plantings to maintain urban tree canopies. In addition, producing a consistent supply of urban wood has the potential to support local urban wood industries and in turn benefit local economies.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting this project. The Wisconsin SFI Implementation Committee is a key partner that gives project participants access to experts in the SFI network. SFI also values this project for its ability to contribute to the development and dissemination of best management practices or pilot projects that advance sustainability in urban forests. These efforts will assist with the development of a U.S.-Canada collaborative SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard.
How this Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
The Urban Wood Network will partner with its Wisconsin chapter and local sustainability experts to engage stakeholders and provide technical assistance to municipalities to incorporate urban wood utilization into municipal planning processes. Encouraging the development of a consistent supply of municipal urban wood resources will also potentially stimulate a local, sustainable urban wood industry.
Partners
This partnership includes municipal officials, urban forestry experts, forest sector professionals, and SFI‑certified organizations.
- Project lead: Sustainable Resources Institute
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Wisconsin SFI Implementation Committee
- Waukesha County Green Team
- Wudeward Urban Forest Products
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Related Information
About the Sustainable Resources Institute
The Sustainable Resources Institute provides education on and certification in sustainable natural resource management. SRI increases the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable techniques for multiple-use forest management and the production of forest products. These preferred techniques take into account wildlife habitat, water quality, recreation, aesthetics, and forest health values. SRI directs its efforts toward professional loggers, land managers, and landowners involved with the management and protection of natural resources. Learn more.
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UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
Into the Woods: A Carbon Story
Helping architecture students understand the climate-related benefits of choosing building materials from sustainably managed forests.
Why this Project Matters
Many architecture students have a limited understanding of the environmental benefits of using forest-based building materials. This can lead them to choose more carbon-intensive building products for their design projects after graduation. This grant project is designed to foster understanding among architecture students about the climate-related benefits of choosing building materials from sustainably managed forests. The importance of understanding carbon as it relates to generation and sequestration will also be emphasized.
How the Project Is Engaging Architecture Students to Understand the Benefits of Building with Sustainable Forest Products
The basic methodology behind this project is compellingly simple, students will exchange their university classroom for time spent in a sustainably managed working forest. Students will engage in timber harvesting. They will also tour sawmills and cross-laminated timber (CLT) manufacturing facilities to learn firsthand the value of choosing forest products in their design work. Additionally, the students will meet with land and water management professionals in the U.S. Southeast to learn about the importance of sustainable forestry for conserving habitats and other key ecological values like clean water. Students will also gain an understanding of the sustainable nature of forest-based supply chains and discuss the emerging influence of forest products, such as mass timber, on building design.
After attending the immersive design camp in the woods. Students will be able to establish and estimate the carbon sequestration in a working forest. Emphasis will be placed on clearly acknowledging and defining current related terms like carbon sinks, carbon generation, carbon storage, and carbon sequestration. Measurable outcomes will be determined through a series of small exercises where students plan a series of working forest scenarios to understand the influence various activities have on the relationship between carbon and sustainably managed forests.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting this project. Students will also work in SFI-certified forests under the guidance of representatives of SFI-certified companies. SFI-certified products and the certification process will also be explored to help students better understand sustainability in construction and the importance of specifying certified wood building materials in future projects. SmartLam North America, an SFI-certified company, will help develop and produce a student prototype of a mass timber design project featuring CLT.
How this Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
The networking and relationship building between architecture students, design professionals, foresters, and wood manufacturers is intended to seed future familiarity in designing, specifying, and building with SFI‑certified wood. This relationship building will also serve to strengthen ties between SFI‑certified companies and Florida’s architecture community. The Florida SFI Implementation Committee will also act as a conduit between the Miami School of Architecture and the wider SFI network.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, architects, natural resources professionals, and SFI‑certified organizations.
- Project lead: University of Miami School of Architecture
- Sustainable forestry Initiative
- Florida SFI Implementation Committee
- Florida Forestry Association
- Atelier May
Related Information
University of Idaho—Demonstrating Benefits of SFI-Certified Wood in a Mass Timber Arena
About the University of Miami School of Architecture
The intrinsic philosophy of the University of Miami School of Architecture is to build a better world. This is expressed in a design program that is ideal and pragmatic, academic and practical, theoretical and actual. The school trains visionary practitioners who pursue architecture as a combination of civic art and building science. The school currently has more than 504 students, including 374 undergraduate students and 130 graduate students. There are about 60 full- and part-time faculty, plus a professional staff of 20, educating and supporting students. More than 50% of the School’s students participate in study-abroad programs based in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
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SFI Community Grants
EARTH RANGERS
Decoding the Differences Between Certifications and Sustainability Labels
Free Family Activities to Explore Sustainability
Why this Project Matters
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of their purchasing decisions and are looking for better solutions for people and the planet, with many willing to pay more to support locally sourced and sustainable products. As families and businesses turn to more eco‑friendly alternatives,third-party certification and label use has become a trusted assurance. Earth Rangers is developing their latest mission dedicated to learning all about sustainability certification and green labels, encouraging kids to become environmental leaders starting at home.
How the Project Is Helping Make Connections Between Sustainability and our Actions as Consumers
This project will include the creation of the newest Earth Ranger Mission: Certified Green. Children ages six to twelve (and their families) will access the mission through the Earth Rangers app to learn about sustainable forest management practices and how the new SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard was developed. The mission will be free and available online in both English and French and detail the different types of eco certifications available and help grow awareness of the many benefits of forests and the importance of our actions as consumers. A printable guide for children to take with them while shopping is also included, delivering knowledge and values that children will carry into adulthood.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting Earth Rangers by highlighting connections between sustainability standards and environmental education, empowering young people to explore common sustainability labels and claims on products and learning what they really mean.
Partners
This partnership includes Earth Rangers, other international nonprofit certifying organizations, and the Central Canada SFI Implementation Committee.
- Project lead: Earth Rangers
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Central Canada SIC
- Marine Stewardship Council
Related Information
About Earth Rangers
Earth Rangers is the kids’ conservation organization, dedicated to educating children about biodiversity and conservation and empowering them to protect animals and their habitats. Their programs are educational and engaging — but more importantly, they show children that the things we do today will matter tomorrow. Learn more.
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QUEBEC SFI IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
Climate Change Adaptation Training Qualifications for Wood Producers
Producing an interactive module for wood producers on climate change and the role certified forests play in mitigation.
Why this Project Matters
Climate change is one of our most pressing global challenges, and sustainably managed forests are among our most important tools for addressing it. Over 150 million hectares/370 million acres of forestland are certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard. In Quebec alone, there are over 31 million hectares/77.5 million acres of SFI-certified forestland. Sustainably managed forests at this scale absorb carbon at impressive rates, making them essential to reducing the impacts of climate change. This project will train Quebec wood producers to enhance the climate mitigation potential of the forests they manage.
How the Project Is Engaging Wood Producers on Climate Change Mitigation
This project will produce an interactive, user-friendly training module on climate change mitigation for wood producers. Video- and web-based learning will be key to engagement efforts. The module will incorporate the best-available information on sustainable forest management and climate change and identify how the activities of forest workers can play a role in reducing its impacts. The project also involves a review of current training offered through the Quebec SFI Implementation Committee according to the themes of forest roads, forest operations, and sustainable forest management. Current training modules will be reviewed and updated to ensure that they are in line with the requirements of the SFI 2022 Standards and Rules.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting this project. SFI is also providing leadership on climate‑smart forestry that will serve to guide this project. Requirements for a new SFI Climate Smart Forestry Objective in the SFI 2022 Standards and Rules are one of the highlights of the new standards. Forests play a central role in the carbon cycle and with proper management, can be one of the most effective nature-based solutions to the climate crisis. SFI-certified organizations will now be required to ensure forest management activities address climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. This project will help Quebec wood producers understand what they need to do to support this new climate‑smart forestry approach.
Training and awareness events will help engage the community of Quebec wood producers. The project also includes an evaluation component to monitor the impact of the training. The Quebec SFI Implementation Committee will also enlist the SFI network and a range of partners and collaborators in engaging wood producers. Collaboration with forestry associations and the Federation of Quebec Forest Producers will make it possible to disseminate this training to forest producers across the province. Project supporters also include universities, provincial and federal government departments, and ENGOs.
Partners
This partnership includes researchers, wood producers, forest sector association members, government officials, and SFI‑certified organizations.
- Project lead: Québec SFI Implementation Committee
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Fédération des producteurs forestiers du Québec
- The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue—L’Université du Québec à Montréal Chair in Sustainable Forest Management
- The full network of Québec forestry associations
- Centre de recherche en foresterie, Université du Québec en Outaouais
Related Information
SFI Announces New Standards Focused on Solving Some of the World’s Biggest Sustainability Challenges
About the Quebec SFI Implementation Committee
SFI responds to local needs through SFI Implementation Committees at the provincial, state, and regional levels. These committees work with local, forestry, and professional associations, universities, government agencies, landowner groups, conservation groups, and many others to promote SFI standards as a way to broaden the practice of responsible forestry and achieve on-the-ground progress. Since 1995, SFI-certified organizations have contributed nearly $75 million to support local programs through SFI Implementation Committees. This includes logger and forester training to reach the thousands of independent contractors who are the key to the quality of forest harvesting operations. The Quebec SFI Implementation Committee was founded in 2002.
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ASSOCIATION FORESTIÈRE DE L’ABITIBI-TÉMISCAMINGUE
Forest Literacy and Education on Forest Certification Standards: A Case Study with SFI
Enhancing wetland conservation and engaging communities by providing sustainable forest management training packages.
Why this Project Matters
SFI-certified forests and products are powerful tools to achieve shared goals such as mitigating climate, reducing waste, conserving biodiversity, educating future generations, and sustainable economic development. But all too often, members of the public have a limited understanding of the benefits offered by the sustainable forest management requirements mandated by SFI and other forest certification standards. Enhancing forest literacy and encouraging a better understanding of forest certification will help spread practical, scalable solutions for markets and communities working to pursue a growing commitment to a sustainable planet.
How the Project Is Enhancing Forest Literacy and an Understanding of Forest Certification Standards
The project is creating and facilitating talks promoting sustainable forest management and why forest certification offers assurance of good practices. Five workshops are also planned and a certified forests component with interactive activities will be available for high school programs.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting this project. SFI will also provide technical assistance to ensure certification standards are interpreted and presented correctly.
How this Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
High schools and community groups will be directly engaged by this project. The public will be reached through the region’s network of more than 90 libraries.
Partners
This partnership includes conservationists, government officials, and SFI‑certified organizations.
- Project lead: Association forestière de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Sustainable forestry Initiative
- Quebec SFI Implementation Committee
- Norbord La Sarre (SFI-certified company)
- Resolute Forest Products (SFI-certified company)
- Eacom Val-d’Or (SFI-certified company)
- Emploi Québec
Related Information
Table Forêt Laurentides—Growing Forest Education in Québec by Building a Forest Ambassador Network
Association Forestiére Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean—Helping Youth Rediscover Quebec’s Forestry Culture
Maine Tree Foundation—Educating Maine’s Guidance Counselors about Forests and Green Career Pathways
About Association forestière de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue (AFAT)
AFAT is a non-profit organization with about 600 members, comprising 200 companies and organizations, as well as 400 individuals. AFAT represents the many faces of the forest sector. The association is governed by a 15-person board of directors. AFAT has a team of five full-time staff. Each year, six to eight school leaders are hired to deliver the AFAT school educational program and to welcome the general public during their visits to Parc-Aventure Joannès. Learn more (French only).
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ALABAMA FORESTRY FOUNDATION
Wonder of Woodlands
Project Overview
The Alabama Forestry Foundation will develop learning materials and indoor/outdoor training sessions to educate stakeholders about some of the unique communities within Alabama’s landscape.
A $10,000 grant from SFI Inc. will help this project broaden the knowledge and expertise of foresters and loggers, and help tell the story of why it is critical to conserve Alabama’s diverse communities of animal and plant species. It will also help link how responsible forest management contributes to conserving this special ecosystem. Information on how to recognize, appreciate, and conserve these areas during active forest management will also be included.
Project Partners
In addition to the Alabama Forestry Foundation, partners include the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama SFI Implementation Committee, Alabama Tree Farm, Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
About the Alabama Forestry Foundation
The Alabama Forestry Foundation was founded in 1978 to advance knowledge of managing and using Alabama’s forests; promoting the stewardship and sustainable management of Alabama’s forest resources; and protecting the property rights of Alabama’s forest owners.
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AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY
Working with Forest Landowners to Reverse Population Declines of
Forest Breeding Birds
American Bird Conservancy Managed Forests for Birds Workshop
Why This Project Matters
This project will deliver a workshop that explains how sustainable forestry can play a critical role in reversing the alarming decline in bird populations. An estimated three billion birds have been lost in the U.S. and Canada since 1970. This is the equivalent of more than a quarter of all birdlife. These findings were reported in the world’s leading scientific journal, Science, by researchers at seven institutions, including the American Bird Conservancy.
How This Project Will Help to Reverse Population Declines of Forest Breeding Birds
This workshop brings together SFI-certified forest management companies, forest harvesting professionals, and family forest landowners for discussions regarding forest management, bird habitat, and the critical role of managed forests in reversing population declines of forest breeding birds. This project will train and educate people who are engaged in actions affecting the future of our forests. It will also offer Continuing Forestry Education credits.
The workshop combines classroom-style presentations and forest-site discussions. This approach has proven to be valuable in several other states in training people in best practices at each stage of forest management to provide positive habitat conditions for birds. The birds range from species that readily respond to certain management practices such as harvest and replanting, thinning and burning, to bird species that require special considerations and advanced planning such as retention of snags, retention of large trees for nesting, or enhanced streamside management zones.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting this project. Bringing together partners from across the SFI network including forest industry, forest managers, wildlife biologists, state government representatives, and the Georgia SFI Implementation Committee will ensure that many perspectives and interests required for effective forest sustainability will be shared. Participants will include influential representatives of forest ownership and management. The diverse project partners will also ensure that they leverage resources and make the right connections for a productive workshop that can be replicated for additional impact.
How this Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
This project will elevate and enrich the link between people and forests by engaging both natural resource professionals who live and work in local communities as well as family forest owners. By bringing forest, wildlife, and harvesting professionals together with local landowners, the project will build a sense of community and appreciation of the different perspectives on forest management. With the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) involved in planning and execution, the project will directly engage the key wildlife conservation organization in Georgia.
The participation of Georgia DNR wildlife biologists and ornithologists as instructors will lend credibility and create opportunities for additional workshops in Georgia. The project leaders will also use their connections to Migratory Bird Habitat Joint Ventures to further network and engage bird conservation organizations and federal wildlife agencies with a mutual interest in well managed forests.
Partners
This partnership includes conservationists, researchers, SFI certified organizations, and family forest owners.
- Project lead: American Bird Conservancy
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Georgia SFI Implementation Committee
- The Westervelt Company (SFI-certified organization)
- Timberland Investment Resources, LLC (SFI-certified organization)
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Related Information
American Bird Conservancy: Bringing Back the Forest Birds, Phase II
ABC Wins SFI President’s Award for Putting SFI’s Scale to Work for Birds
Collaborating for Conservation of Managed Forested Landscapes
About American Bird Conservancy
The American Bird Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to conserve native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC acts across the full spectrum of threats to birds to safeguard the rarest bird species, restore habitats, and reduce threats, unifying and strengthening the bird conservation movement. Learn more.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grant-american-bird-conservancy-workshop/
AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION
From Nature’s Perspective
Project Overview
Fostering an appreciation and understanding of the natural world is critical to healthy development in kids; yet in North America studies consistently find that kids are spending more time indoors and losing this essential environmental connection. To address this issue the American Forest Foundation’s Project Learning Tree (PLT) program received $5,000 to partner with Michigan Project Learning Tree and the Grand Traverse Conservation District to sponsor a conference for PLT Coordinators and educators in order to provide meaningful arts and environmental education to Michigan students while creating a model that can be implemented nationwide by other PLT state program networks.
The grant offers an ideal opportunity for AFF, PLT, the Conservation District and local schools to partner in providing a lasting impact. The Conference attendees gained professional development experience allowing them to widely implement Project Learning Tree. Additionally, students from local schools were given the opportunity to share their Project Learning Tree journals and artwork with the larger conference audience.
Supporting the SFI Standard
The project supported SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry, including Performance Measure 17.2 requiring program participants support and promote public outreach, education and involvement related to sustainable forest management.
PROJECT RESOURCES
About Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. PLT is a program of the American Forest Foundation.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantaffplt/
ARKANSAS SFI IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
Partners with Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation for PLT Workshops
Teacher Conservation Tour Workshop Series
Why this Project Matters
This extensive educator workshop, led by the Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation, focuses on the environmental, ecological, and economic benefits of Arkansas’s forestlands and timber industries. These benefits are often not fully appreciated by people outside the forest sector. Engaging teachers, who in turn will educate students, is an effective way to build understanding of and support for Arkansas’s sustainably managed forestlands.
Why is SFI Involved?
The SFI Community Engagement Grant Program is supporting this project.This project’s strong youth education component supports a core SFI priority. SFI offers teacher training and engages students in environmental education through Project Learning Tree (PLT) activities. PLT is an initiative of SFI that uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase youth understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it. PLT activities will be incorporated in the project.
These workshops provide extensive background information and knowledge to help educators incorporate PLT lessons into their course material and better teach on topics of forestry and natural resources management. Educators who have attended these workshops in the past have used the information with their students in career preparedness classes and job skill enhancement.
How the Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
The workshops offer opportunities for the Arkansas SFI Implementation Committee to collaborate with Arkansas PLT and the Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation to offer quality hands‑on education promoting sustainable forestry practices and wise use of wood resources. The Teacher Conservation Tour is one of the premier professional development workshops in Arkansas.
This extensive educator workshop focuses on the environmental, ecological, and economic benefits of Arkansas’s forestlands and timber industries. The sessions and onsite tours provide educators with a lot of time in the woods, learning about the interaction between forests, the environment, and the economy. Participants tour forest product manufacturing facilities, view forest ecosystems, and harvesting and replanting operations all while learning valuable information about our forest communities. Participants also meet and learn from natural resource professionals and members of the forest products industry who are in the field conducting this work on a regular basis.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, researchers, government, and SFI Program Participants.
- Project lead: Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Arkansas Forestry Commission
- Arkansas Game and Fish
- Farm Credit Services
- University of Arkansas Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Services
- Green Bay Packaging (SFI Program Participant)
- Weyerhaeuser (SFI Program Participant)
Related Information
- Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
About the Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation
The Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation sponsors a landowner education and assistance program for landowners seeking forest management information. As part of this program, the foundation holds a number of landowner education workshops throughout the state and publishes a variety of educational guides to provide landowners the information they need to make sound forest management decisions. It also serves as an information and education source to Arkansas’s teachers and students. The foundation offers teacher training as part of the Project Learning Tree curriculum as well as summer teacher training workshops and other activities. The Arkansas Forestry Association is the only private, nonprofit organization that speaks for the entire forestry community in Arkansas.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grant-arkansas-sic/
ASSOCIATION FORESTIÉRE SAGUENAY-LAC-ST-JEAN
Helping Youth Rediscover Quebec’s Forestry Culture
Forests and Forest Products, a Culture to be Rediscovered
Why this project matters
The Forests and Forest Products, A Culture to be Rediscovered Program, from the Association forestière Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, has a track record of delivering tangible and measurable results when it comes to connecting youth to forests through education. Making these connections is good for youth because it can inspire a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and open up rewarding career paths. Forests benefit too as youth enhance their understanding of the central role forests play when it comes to environmental, recreational and economic values.
The association tours elementary schools from September until June offering a half-day program that takes place in classrooms and in woodlots near schools for fourth-, fifth- and sixth‑grade students. The program reaches about 12,000 students every year. School-based forest education aims to educate youth about the social, economic, ecological and cultural importance of the forest environment and sustainable forest management. The association also wants to promote forestry and wood as an element of sustainable development and to interest young people in careers in forestry.
Why is SFI involved?
Connecting youth to forests is a key focus at SFI. Fostering an appreciation and understanding of the natural world is critical to healthy mental and physical development in youth. But today’s American and Canadian kids spend more time indoors than previous generations. That’s why a key component of SFI’s community engagement is educating youth and getting them outdoors, to ensure they can be effective future leaders and have a strong understanding of the value of responsibly managed forests.
Forests and Forest Products, A Culture to be Rediscovered gets kids outdoors and potentially opens up STEM-based career options. Workshops organized with college- and university‑level STEM and architecture technology students are designed to generate interest in forestry and forest products and related technical careers and professions.
The Quebec SFI Implementation Committee (SIC) will work to help ensure connections to forest products certified to SFI and Project Learning Tree materials. Project Learning Tree, an SFI program, is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. Forests and Forest Products, A Culture to be Rediscovered offers an opportunity to expand PLT Canada, an initiative of SFI, in Quebec.
How the Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
This is a great program to engage a variety of youth, from primary grades to technical schools that also include architectural students. The primary partner is the Quebec’s Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks but multiple schools, regional municipalities and Employment Quebec are also included. The support of the Quebec SIC will also build connections between SFI Program Participants, youth, educators, and government officials at the municipal and provincial levels.
Partners
This partnership includes SFI Program Participants, youth, educators, and government officials.
- Project lead: Association forestière Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Quebec SFI Implementation Committee
- Quebec Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks
- Employment Quebec
- Five regional municipalities
- Four CEGEPs
- Four school districts (Rives du Saguenay, Lac St. Jean, Pays de Bluets, de la Jonquiere)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) PromoScience Program
Related information
- Project Learning Tree, an SFI program, is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
- The Marten Monitoring and Youth Knowledge Transfer Program, led by the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi in Quebec, is evaluating the impact of wildlife management guidelines on marten populations and transferring knowledge to Cree youth.
- Funding from SFI helps the Earth Rangers School Assembly Program offer a curriculum-linked assembly presentation, for grades 1 to 6, that uses science-based information to educate students about the importance of conserving biodiversity across Canada.
About the Association forestière Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean
Founded in 1942, the Association forestière Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (French only) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, informing and educating the regional population about the importance of forests, the environment and sustainable development. The association uses interactive educational workshops in schools and forests, and its annual conference, for training and knowledge transfer. The Forest Products, A Culture to be Rediscovered Program works to help the residents of the Lac Saint-Jean area understand the challenges facing forests as well as their economic, social, environmental and cultural importance from a sustainable development perspective.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantsaguenay/
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Lion’s Park Boy Scout Hut Build
Project Description
Through the SFI Community Partnerships grant program, Auburn University’s Rural Studio completed a student design-build project. The Lion’s Park Boy Scout Hut provides the Boy Scouts of Greensboro, AL a much needed headquarters.
Supporting the SFI Standard
The project will support SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 7: Efficient Use of Forest Resources and Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry, including Performance Measure 17.2 requiring that program participants support and promote public outreach, education and involvement related to sustainable forestry management.
Project Partners
In addition to the Auburn University’s Rural Studio, partners include Boy Scouts of Greensboro, Al; Probate Judge of Hale County and the Greensboro, AL Lions Club.
About Auburn University’s Rural Studio
Rural Studio is an off-campus design-build program of the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture at Auburn University. It gives architecture students a more hands-on educational experience. The students work within the community to define solutions, fundraise, design and, ultimately, build remarkable projects.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantauburn/
BIRDS CANADA
Newfoundland Breeding Bird Atlas—Citizen Scientists Map the Birds of Newfoundland’s Sustainably Managed Forests
Engaging citizen scientists to deliver the province’s first breeding bird atlas to map the distribution and abundance of all breeding bird species in Newfoundland
Why this Project Matters
Having solid baseline data about the distribution, abundance, and health of bird populations is essential for sound conservation and management decisions. Newfoundland is home to an abundance of waterfowl, waterbirds, land birds, and shorebirds, but much of the island is remote and difficult to access, and consequently information on Newfoundland’s bird populations is largely lacking.
To address this gap, Birds Canada is working to deliver the first Newfoundland Breeding Bird Atlas—a multi‑year project to map the distribution and abundance of all bird species breeding on the island. The Atlas has two main objectives: to establish standardized baselines for the status, distribution, and abundance of breeding bird species; and to increase public engagement and awareness of birds, their habitats, and citizen science. Producing the Atlas allows for the accomplishment of both goals, because much of the data collection is carried out by citizen scientists.
How the Project Is Producing a Breeding Bird Atlas and Carrying Out Targeted Bird Surveys
Surveys will be conducted through a combination of partnerships with government, NGOs, and industry, paid field technicians, and volunteer citizen scientists. The project relies on a three-pronged approach. First, it focuses on encouraging trained citizen scientists to survey forested areas that are relatively easy to access. Second, dedicated field technicians are hired to survey remote areas. Finally, Bird Studies Canada is collaborating with Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, an SFI‑certified company, to train their field technicians to collect Atlas data—either in person, or through the deployment of automated recording units. These units can be programmed to make acoustic recordings at specific times over days or weeks; this acoustic data can be used as a proxy for Atlas surveys in locations that are difficult to access.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting this project. SFI will also help to widely disseminate the Atlas so it can be used by government, industry, and conservation organizations to evaluate the success of current management strategies and inform decisions about land management, conservation, and development.
How this Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
Project funding will be used to enhance outreach to Newfoundland’s francophone communities, by completing translation of the Atlas website, and offering a bird identification workshop and Atlas training session in French. These sessions will be recorded and posted online where volunteers can easily access them. The Atlas also provides job and training opportunities in the conservation sector for young women who have been hired, and will continue to be hired, into coordinator and field technician positions. In addition to offering these sessions to staff at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, the project will also focus on hosting sessions specifically aimed at under-represented communities, such as new immigrants to Newfoundland and Indigenous groups, by collaborating with organizations such as the Association for New Canadians and the Miawpukek First Nation.
Partners
This partnership includes conservationists, government officials, and SFI‑certified organizations.
- Project lead: Birds Canada
- Sustainable forestry Initiative
- Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited (SFI‑certified company)
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service
Related Information
Working Forests at Work For Birds
Bird Lovers Unite with Biologists to Keep Migratory Bird Habitats Safe Across Canada
About Birds Canada
Together with its members, Birds Canada is Canada’s voice for birds. Its mission is to conserve wild birds through sound science, on-the-ground action, innovative partnerships, public engagement, and science-based advocacy. Birds Canada is a non-profit, charitable organization built on the enthusiastic contributions of thousands of caring members and volunteer citizen scientists. Data and observations collected by citizen scientists, alongside targeted research projects, are used to identify significant bird population changes and help direct conservation planning. Birds Canada’s national headquarters, in Port Rowan, Ontario, is connected to the historic Long Point Bird Observatory, with regional offices from coast to coast.
Learn more.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/birds-canada-newfoundland-breeding-bird-atlas/
BLACK FAMILY LAND TRUST
SFI Is Helping Keep Forestlands in the Hands of African American Families
Black Family Land Trust — A Tree, Is A Tree, Is A Tree 101
Why this project matters
Although African Americans had amassed 15 million acres/6 million hectares of land in the U.S. South between 1865 and 1919, today 97% of those lands have been lost, according to the Land Trust Alliance. The Black Family Land Trust is using forestry as a key tool to keep land in the hands of African American families.
Forestry offers many older farmers, landowners not living on their land, and multiple generations of heirs who want to keep their land together, an opportunity to protect their land assets while generating income from their land. Managed forestry can help landowners prosper in retirement and through multiple generations. It can also be a powerful tool to help resolve heirs’ property issues and ownership questions, and offers a means to help preserve the important social and cultural heritage of African American land ownership.
A Tree, Is A Tree, Is A Tree 101, supported in part by funding from SFI Inc., is the Black Family Land Trust’s three-part training on forest management, intended to introduce Southside Virginia landowners to managed forestry as an asset-protection strategy.
- Session I is an overview of forestry as a conservation and family economic development tool that highlights successful landowners with forest management plans who share their success stories.
- Session II introduces the concepts and terms of forest management and forest management planning.
- Session III is a basic overview of the economies of trees and forestry, and how to turn family forests into performing assets for today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
Why is SFI involved?
SFI is committed to identifying ways to support engaging African American forest owners in the U.S. South, including land retention. SFI, as an organization that stands for future forests, believes we can collaborate to help keep forests as forests and ensure that they are responsibly managed to provide conservation values as well as financial benefits to the African Americans who own these forestlands.
The Black Family Land Trust’s program aligns tightly with SFI’s support of underserved communities through forestry. Southside Virginia has one of the highest concentrations of forested and farm land held by African Americans in the state. We know from the Black Family Land Trust’s own work that the Southside region is ground zero for focusing on the potential loss of significant acres of forested land held in fragmented family ownership.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
This grant supports SFI’s community engagement efforts in two primary ways. It supports heritage values and it supports underserved communities through forestry programs. Through partnership and support of others operating effectively on these issues, and by using the natural connections of SFI Implementation Committees and our network of Program Participants, SFI can become a vital piece of the solution to the important issue of African-American land retention and sustainable management.
SFI’s community engagement efforts include the work of SFI Implementation Committees, SFI Community Grants Partners and SFI Inc. initiatives. These efforts have helped elevate and enrich the connections between people and forests. Our support for community-building organizations like the Black Family Land Trust enhances the vital links that exist between healthy forests, responsible purchasing and sustainable communities.
Partners
This partnership includes community leaders, government and the not-for-profit sector:
- Project lead: Black Family Land Trust
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Virginia Department of Forestry
- U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities
Related information
- The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities received a 2014 SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant to support African American forestland owners.
- The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities supports related work in multiple landscapes, including Southside Virginia.
- Black Family Land Trust
About Black Family Land Trust
The Black Family Land Trust, Inc. (BFLT), based in North Carolina, is one of the nation’s only conservation land trust dedicated to the preservation and protection of African-American and other historically underserved landowners assets. The BFLT utilizes the core principles of land conservation and land-based community economic development to achieve our goals. We measurably improve the quality of life for landowners, by providing families with the tools necessary to make informed, proactive decisions regarding their land and its use. The BFLT works primarily in the Southeastern United States, our programs are intergenerational in their design. We honor the legacy of those stewards of the land that came before us and have faith in those stewards of the land that will come after us.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantblackfamilylandtrust/
BRUSHWOOD CENTER AT RYERSON WOODS
Chicago Area Youth Learn How to Care for Urban Forests
Forest of Health / Bosque de Salud
Why This Project Matters
The project is important because 50% of those involved will be Latino and come from communities with a 60% greater rate of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, poor mental health outcomes and reduced quality of life. Research shows that visiting a forest has real, quantifiable physical and mental health benefits. Some studies show that even five minutes around trees may improve health by boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, improving mood, and increasing the ability to focus — even in children with ADHD.
The Forest of Health/Bosque de Salud program, led by Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods engages and educates youth to encourage understanding, appreciation, and hands-on interaction with the natural world. By reaching youth, their parents, and their community of care, this program is a creative approach to exposing urban youth to trees and woodlands and encouraging their future care.
Why is SFI Involved?
The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program is supporting this project. SFI is focused on fostering an appreciation and understanding of the natural world in today’s youth because it’s critical to their healthy mental and physical development. But today’s American and Canadian kids spend more time indoors than previous generations.
That’s why a key component of SFI’s community engagement is educating youth, through projects like Forest of Health / Bosque de Salud, to ensure they can be effective future leaders and have a strong understanding of the value of responsibly managed forests. The project will also use Project Learning Tree (PLT)materials to empower community partners to help teach youth about the value of forests. PLT is an award-winning educational initiative of SFI.
How the Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
The program supports underserved communities who live near urban forests. Its primary goal is to equip each community with the knowledge, skills, and tools to appreciate and care for trees in their own neighborhoods. This will be achieved by empowering the community partners through PLT training, engaging parents in the learning program, and by conducting follow-up activities with each community.
Each of the communities Brushwood Center will work with will learn how to assess the health benefits of trees and how they, in return, can help trees. This program includes a field trip to the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods. The Brushwood Center has a strong history of partnership with Latino and Hispanic communities and the center is committed to culturally competent programs that respect the authentic wisdom of each community.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, researchers, conservationists and industry.
- Project lead: Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Round Lake Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee
- Openlands
- Nuestro Center
- North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)
- Nature Start Alliance
- Foss Park District
- Roberti Community House
- Cool Learning Experience
Related Information
About the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
Located among pristine woodlands in the Ryerson historic home in Riverwoods, Il., Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woodspromotes the importance of nature for nurturing personal and community wellbeing, cultivating creativity, and inspiring learning. The center celebrates the legacy of those who came before us on this land and champions a region where people will care about and for nature.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grant-brushwood/
CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF FORESTRY
INSTITUT FORESTIER DU CANADA (CIF-IFC)
Forestry Professionals Across Canada Receive World‑Class Professional Development
National Knowledge Exchange Program
Why this Project Matters
This project provides an effective way to support ongoing training of forest professionals who in many cases work in remote areas with limited access to professional development. Forest practitioners who are involved in on-the-ground resource decision making or who do not have direct access to professional development opportunities, will greatly benefit from the Canadian Institute of Forestry’s (CIF) National Knowledge Exchange Program. The program also has a strong focus on engaging and educating youth, because many of the targeted forestry professionals are in the early stages of their careers.
Why is SFI Involved?
The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program is supporting this project.It will meet the SFI priority area of training and educating current and future forestry professionals who are engaged in actions affecting the future of our forests. Additionally, an effort will be made to host field tours and workshops in rural forest-dependent communities, where professional development and continuing education opportunities are limited.
Another critical focus of the project will be to increase the awareness of forest practitioners relating to protecting Indigenous values within actively managed forests. This will continue to enhance sustainable forestry practices across Canada, while also encouraging the involvement of Indigenous communities in forest management planning. This goal will be achieved through e-lectures in addition to being a theme or component of field courses.
How the Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
CIF will use its robust grassroots connections through its 19 regional sections located across Canada and internationally. CIF acts as a conduit for over 2,000 forestry professionals and forestry or natural resources focused organizations to collaborate, network and promote sustainable forestry practices across Canada and internationally. CIF Sections are well-positioned to understand and identify the needs of working forestry professionals within their areas. This knowledge will be crucial to determine specific themes or topics for field-based workshops. Additionally, CIF Sections will identify topics within their areas that have been underserved with regards to professional development opportunities.
CIF will consult with SFI, partner organizations and sustaining corporate members, including SFI Program Participants, to promote the outcomes and overall goals of the project. They will use this network to identify specific topics or themes to be addressed through virtual learning and field tours and identify potential subject matter experts within the focal areas. CIF’s network includes both federal and provincial government agencies, academic institutions, professional forestry associations, research and development organizations, Indigenous groups, and the forest industry.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, researchers, foresters and conservationists.
- Project lead: Canadian Institute of Forestry – Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC)
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- CIF-IFC Cariboo Section, Northern British Columbia
- CIF-IFC Newfoundland and Labrador
- CIF-IFC Rocky Mountain Section
- CIF- IFC Vancouver Island Section
- Strategic Natural Resource Consultants
- FPInnovations
Related Information
About the Canadian Institute of Forestry — Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC)
Established in 1908, the CIF-IFC is the oldest forest society in Canada. It’s a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about our forests and who make a real impact locally and abroad. The Institute serves as the voice of forest practitioners representing foresters, forest technologists and technicians, ecologists, biologists, educators and many others with a professional interest in forestry. The Institute provides national leadership in forestry, promoting competency among forestry professionals, and fostering public awareness of forestry issues. It includes 2,200 members from government, industry, and academia united as the voice of forest practitioners across 19 national sections, and one international section providing local and regional presence.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grant-cif-ifc/
CENTRAL ROCKIES SFI COMMITTEE
Supports At-Risk Youth with Valuable Environmental Education Opportunity
The Next Seven Generations: Supporting Indigenous Values and Improving Well-Being Through Forest Education
Why this project matters
This program promotes environmental literacy, well-being and traditional Lakota values to engage underserved youth from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. It is based on an Indigenous approach to land management that says decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future.
This program will foster a love of learning, leadership and coping skills, provide a place to grow, and support Lakota heritage, to inspire the future stewards of their lands. This part of Southwest Dakota includes counties with some of the lowest median household incomes in the U.S. This program adds to the quality of life in underserved communities because it gives youth a voice, fosters leadership skills, self-confidence, and self-actualization — inspiring them to know that they can make a difference in their lives, and their communities.
Led by South Dakota Project Learning Tree, and supported by the Central Rockies SFI Implementation Committee, the program will give over 150 children and youth, aged five to 17, a chance to attend seasonal camps, with learning activities correlating to that specific season. Activities include hands-on environmental science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, and outdoor recreation activities based on Traditional Lakota Values. Environmental science activities from Project Learning Tree are used to facilitate hands-on learning about our natural world. Tribal elders and Indigenous resource professionals volunteer their time to assist in these programs to give youth a solid background in their traditional Lakota values and way of life — an area under threat of being lost because of economic disadvantages.
Why is SFI involved?
The SFI Community Engagement Grant Program is supporting this project. Educating youth is a key priority at SFI. SFI offers teacher training and engages students in environmental education through Project Learning Tree (PLT) activities. PLT is an initiative of SFI that uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase youth understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it. PLT activities will be incorporated into the program by South Dakota Project Learning Tree.
SFI actively outreaches and builds partnerships with Indigenous communities. SFI also promotes Indigenous rights, respect and engagement through its standards and partnerships with Indigenous communities. The SFI Forest Management Standard is aligned with Indigenous values, including rights, knowledge, and environmental considerations. Indigenous communities began certifying to SFI in 2010. Today, 39 Indigenous groups across the U.S. and Canada work on over 10-million acres/4-million hectares of land certified to SFI.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
This program is supported by nine partners, including Tribal leaders, educators, conservationists, and an SFI Program Participant. Together, they will engage Tribal elders and resource professionals and expose youth to the Lakota way of life. Tribal elders will volunteer their time to lead and support camp activities. They will also attend community gatherings, set up throughout the year, to get youth interested in signing up for the camps.
Partners
This partnership includes Tribal leaders, educators, conservationists, and SFI Program Participants.
- Project lead: South Dakota Project Learning Tree
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Central Rockies SFI Implementation Committee
- Tatanka Mani Camp
- Hochoka Healing Center
- Journey On!
- Oglala Sioux Tribe
- South Dakota Family Forests Association
- Canyon Calm Cultural Learning and Event Center
- Neiman Enterprises (SFI Program Participant)
Related information
About South Dakota Project Learning Tree
PLT is an award-winning non-profit, multi-disciplinary environmental education program for educators and students from preschool through grade 12. PLT is one of the most widely used environmental education programs in the United States and abroad and continues to set the standard for environmental education excellence. South Dakota Project Learning Tree promotes balanced natural resource education in all areas of the state. South Dakota PLT’s programs are implemented by a part-time state coordinator and a team of professionally trained PLT volunteer facilitators. It distributes premier environmental curriculum and training through workshops and training sessions, enriching the classroom learning opportunities throughout the state. South Dakota PLT partners with other environmental programs and agencies that have a similar vision.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantcrsfi/
CENTRAL WESTCOAST FOREST SOCIETY
Indigenous Youth on Vancouver Island Gain Forestry Skills Experience
Ucluelet and Tofino Field School — Education, Restoration and Monitoring Program
Why this project matters
This project, led by the Central Westcoast Forest Society, is focused on educating and engaging children and youth within the Tofino-Ucluelet region on Vancouver Island through a field school. It is reaching the surrounding First Nation communities of Toquaht, Hitacu, Esowista, Ty-histanis, Ahousaht, and Hesquiaht. These small communities, with 50 to 1,700 members, are located on the far west coast of Vancouver Island. This project is helping to encourage stewardship and a sense of belonging in these underserved communities. Local school children are learning about forest and stream ecology while gaining hands-on field skills and experiences.
Why is SFI involved?
The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program is supporting this project. A key component of SFI’s community engagement is educating youth, to ensure they can be effective future leaders and have a strong understanding of the value of responsibly managed forests. SFI also promotes Indigenous rights, respect and engagement through its standards and partnerships with Indigenous communities. The SFI Forest Management Standard is aligned with Indigenous values, including respect for rights, knowledge, and environmental considerations. Today, 39 Indigenous groups across Canada and the U.S. work on over 4-million hectares/10-million acres of land certified to SFI.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
The field component of this program is helping to train and educate future forest practitioners on the importance of sustainable and ethical forestry practices. Children and youth take part in guided forest walks where they learn about forests as well as riparian forest structures and the important role riparian areas play in ecosystem health. This program is being hosted on Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation territory and will support and promote Indigenous heritage and land values by inviting a Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation member that can speak to the roles forests play in their historical and current way of life.
The Raincoast Education Society, a project partner, offers other field components to their Ucluelet and Tofino Field Schools, many of which include First Nation language and cultural educational opportunities. This project is part of a larger goal to bring a better understanding of the local ecosystems and First Nation values to the children of these communities. BC Timber Sales, an SFI Program Participant and project partner, is providing access to their tender lands.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, conservationists, and an SFI Program Participant.
- Project lead: Central Westcoast Forest Society
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Raincoast Education Society
- BC Timber Sales (SFI Program Participant)
Related information
- Addressing Indigenous Interests and Building Partnerships (fact sheet)
- SFI’s Kathy Abusow speaks on CBC Radio about the SFI Small-Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples, Families, and Communities pilot (listen)
- SFI Small-Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples, Families and Communities
About the Cental Westcoast Forest Society
The Central Westcoast Forest Societywas founded in 1995 by loggers, First Nations, biologists and forestry professionals who recognized the need to address the loss of habitat in order to preserve wild fish stocks. The Society works closely with the five Nuu-chah-nulth Nations in the region. These partnerships ensure members from each First Nation are provided opportunities to work within their own territory to help rebuild wild salmon habitat.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grant-cwfs/
CENTRE FOR FOREST INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG
SFI Is Helping Foster Innovation in Forestry
The Forest-Community Innovation Network
Why this project matters
Canada’s forest industry and the communities that depend on it must address economic transition, social pressures and environmental change to remain viable. In response, different forest groups are engaging in public debate, grassroots organizing, technological and product innovation, and policy reform processes. These efforts are focused on rethinking relationships among communities, governments, Indigenous peoples, industries and Canada’s forests. Although implementing creative and new collaborative approaches is proving to be a complex task, new arrangements involving Indigenous and community groups, companies and governments already offer a growing body of experience to draw upon.
Led by the Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research at the University of Winnipeg, the Forest-Community Innovation Network is an active collaborative knowledge forum to support ongoing networking and practical research work critical to engaging diverse forest groups in processes of innovation. The Innovation Network is dedicated to implementing a vision for an integrated knowledge network dedicated to community resilience, cross-cultural collaboration, adaptation to environmental change, and innovation.
Why is SFI involved?
One of SFI’s priorities is to bring diverse partners together to advance responsible forestry through training and education. SFI and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business have had a long-standing partnership focused on enhancing collaborative business relationships and progressive aboriginal relations.
The Forest-Community Innovation Network will help SFI further engage with existing partners, such as the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, and build new partnerships, and will assist SFI in leveraging its cross-Canada scale at the community level. In addition, the Forest-Community Innovation Network recognizes that conventional forestry training is evolving and the network of partners needed to address complex forest issues is expanding and becoming more diverse.
More importantly perhaps, is the co-learning now taking place as a result of the collaborative engagements involving Indigenous groups, communities, companies and government, for example. Ultimately, the Forest-Community Innovation Network will create further opportunities to collaboratively investigate and develop training and education modules specifically targeted to sustainable forest management issues. Training resource professionals is a key focus for SFI. In 2015, more than 10,000 resource and harvesting professionals participated in training run by SFI Implementation Committees.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
The Forest-Community Innovation Network will give SFI Program Participants an avenue to support and promote Indigenous values through close partnerships with Indigenous organizations and representatives. The partnership will benefit from the guidance of Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners who are committed to working together and who have experience in cross-cultural collaborative forestry settings. This initiative will also enable Indigenous partners and other communities to enhance community and forest sustainability.
The Forest-Community Innovation Network is also designed to serve underserved communities by linking forest users of many stripes to knowledge and resources for improving sustainable management of forests. Target users are typically Indigenous and non-Indigenous community groups that do not have ready access to forest management extension services and expertise. The network will include opportunities to promote awareness of the SFI Program and forest management certification.
Partners
This partnership includes representatives from Indigenous groups and academia. These partners include:
- Project lead: Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research, University of Winnipeg
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
Related information
- In 2013, SFI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) to assist in growing our relationship, engagement and outreach with the indigenous community by encouraging SFI Program Participants to seek certification under their Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program and support a dual-logo process.
- Read the SFI fact sheet: Addressing Indigenous Interests and Building Partnerships.
- SFI supports training for certified harvesting professionals and the use of trained loggers.
- Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research, University of Winnipeg
About Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research, University of Winnipeg
The Centre for Forest Interdisciplinary Research (C-FIR) at The University of Winnipeg is dedicated to interdisciplinary research, education, and training in forest science, policy and management. Established in 1998, C-FIR focuses on understanding the ecological, economic, and socio-cultural conditions that shape forests and the natural resources provided by forest systems in Manitoba and around the world. C-FIR researchers carry out leading edge natural and social science research to advance understanding of past, present and future changes and impacts, as well as the links between forest ecosystems and society, in order to promote more sustainable use of forest environments.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantcfiruofwinnipeg/
CENTER FOR NATIVE PEOPLES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Exploring Forest Sustainability with Indigenous Youth
Project Overview
Centre for Native Peoples and the Environment: State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry will develop and implement an educational program that focuses on the sustainability of ecologically and culturally significant tree species that we will incorporate into the Native Earth Environmental Youth Camp (NEEYC). NEEYC is a camp devoted to sustainable science and traditional ecological knowledge that they run in partnership with the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force.
Project Partners
Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force
About Center for Native Peoples and the Environment
Our region is the home of two great intellectual traditions regarding stewardship of the earth: traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous people and scientific ecological knowledge. The mission of the SUNY-ESF Center for Native Peoples and the Environment is to create programs that draw on the wisdom of both indigenous and scientific knowledge in support of our shared goals of environmental sustainability.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantcnp/
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Homecoming Build 2016
Project Overview
Every year, more than 500 Clemson University students come together to build a Habitat house for a local family on the campus’ Bowman Field, during the 10 days leading up to the homecoming football game. Clemson University’s Habitat chapter will receive a $10,000 grant to build the 24th Annual Homecoming House.
After the 10-day build, the walls and roof are up, the drywall and siding have been hung, and the windows, doors, and basic electricity and plumbing have been installed. The house is opened for public viewing on Saturday, and then moved to a local neighborhood. Wood products certified to the SFI Standard will be used in the build.
Project Partners
In addition to the Clemson University Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, partners include the South Carolina SFI Implementation Committee and the Lutheran Campus Ministry at Clemson.
About Clemson University Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity
The Clemson University Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity was established in 1994 following its participation in the building of a home on Bowman Field during the 1993 homecoming celebration. Since then, the chapter has organized several outstanding projects, including the 2001 “Blitz Build” during which five houses were completed. In 2003, Clemson Habitat spurred the building of the first ever Youth United home in partnership with D.W. Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantclemsonh4h/
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND LIFE SCIENCES
The South Carolina Women Owning Woods Network: Using Forestry and Natural Resources to Educate and Empower Women
Enhancing the South Carolina Women Owning Woodlands (SC WOW) program by providing resources for targeted, advanced trainings to women landowners
Why this Project Matters
In the United States, private families and individuals own about 60% of the nation’s forested land, and for about a quarter of private family or individual woodland ownerships, a woman is the primary decision maker. Evidence suggests that women will play a large role in the future of forests, making final end-of-life land use decisions that could lead to conservation or development. Forestry remains a male-dominated field in a professional, personal, and social sense, which means that women may lack experience and knowledge with woodland ownership and management.
Ownership objectives among women who purchase or inherit woodlands vary, ranging from privacy and aesthetic enjoyment to generating income from timber extraction. The Women Owning Woodlands (WOW) Network in South Carolina is recruiting, engaging, and teaching female participants about sustainable forest management. Also, because women tend to inherit property later in life, getting them involved when they are younger and more physically active will potentially lead to them implementing more forest management practices over the course of their ownership. Preparing women to take a more active role in management of family forests will provide the skills needed to manage forests sustainably.
How the Project Is Using Forestry and Natural Resources to Educate and Empower Women
To address the needs of educating women forest owners and supporting women in forest leadership roles, the WOW program was established as a collaborative project of the National Woodland Owners Association and the United States Forest Service. This project will build on the success of a pilot program by offering additional workshops in more advanced topics. The WOW network will facilitate specific skills development for women including chainsaw and pesticide safety. Using other state WOW networks as models, Clemson University, with support from the Forestry Association of South Carolina and the South Carolina Forestry Commission, has formed the SC WOW network to provide training and educational opportunities for women who own or have an interest in woodlands management. Clemson will enhance the SC WOW program by offering additional forestry 101 workshops in new regions, developing new educational content, and continuing training a group of WOW network facilitators.
To encourage an interest in forestry among women from a younger age, scholarships will be offered to 10 high school students to attend the South Carolina 4-H Forestry Clinic. This weekend-long event is an excellent opportunity for high-school-aged youth to learn more about forestry and forest practices. During the clinic, participants will gain hands-on experience from Clemson University professionals.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting this project. SFI’s previous collaborations with WOW and the expertise of the SFI network will also be leveraged to support his project.
How this Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
The project team will communicate with and leverage the SFI network to build mutual understanding in the communities where they operate about the benefits of sustainably managed forests and products. The project will grow meaningful relationships with Indigenous, African American, and underserved communities to advance social, economic, and environmental opportunities. Professional development for educators, loggers, architects, and other influencers will be made available to enable them to make informed decisions and take responsible actions. The project also offers outdoor activities and advice on green career pathways for youth through a collaboration with South Carolina 4H.
Partners
This partnership includes conservationists, communications professionals, and SFI‑certified organizations.
- Project lead: Clemson University
- Sustainable forestry Initiative
- Forestry Association of South Carolina
- Steward Terra Communications LLC
Related Information
SFI Collaborating with Women Changing the Face of Forestland Ownership
South Carolina Forest Products Sector: Connecting Teachers and Foresters
SFI Is Helping Inspire Future Forest Leaders in South Carolina
About Clemson University Cooperative Extension College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Clemson University was established to fulfill its founder’s vision of “a high seminary of learning” to develop “the material resources of the state” for the people of South Carolina. Clemson Extension helps improve the quality of life of all South Carolinians by providing unbiased, research-based information through an array of public outreach programs in youth development, agribusiness, agriculture, food, nutrition and health, and natural resources. With offices in all 46 counties of the state, Extension works to help support South Carolina’s $42 billion agriculture and forestry industries; strengthen families and communities; improve stewardship of natural resources and the environment; strengthen connections between people and their food; and expose South Carolina youth to opportunities in agriculture, science, technology, engineering, and math. Learn more.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/clemson-u-sc-wow/
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Building STEM Engagement Focused on Homes for Nesting Birds
Project Overview
Cornell University will engage local youth in the construction of nest box trails for the benefit of native birds and the environment. Wood products certified to the SFI Standard will be used to build the nest boxes. The university will also develop a free online curriculum, to expand the project’s reach, and deliver 18 workshops with their partners to test curriculum and engage students.
Through this series of workshops focused on youth, family and community, the curriculum will include lessons in science (biology, ecology, habitat) and technology (mapping, data exploration) surrounding the NestWatch citizen-science project for afterschool and 4-H audiences. Cornell University will receive $8,733 in 2016, 2017 and 2018 to complete this project.
Project Partners
In addition to the Cornell University, partners include the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell Co-Op Extension Jefferson County and Columbia/Greene Counties, and New York State 4-H.
About the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a world leader in the study, appreciation, and conservation of birds. Its hallmarks are scientific excellence and technological innovation to advance the understanding of nature and to engage people of all ages in learning about birds and protecting the planet.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantcornelluniversity/
CREE FIRST NATION OF WASWANIPI
SFI Is Supporting the Transfer of Scientific and Traditional Knowledge to Cree Youth in Waswanipi
Marten Monitoring and Youth Knowledge Transfer
Why this project matters
Indigenous youth are Canada’s fastest-growing demographic group. At the same time, many of these Indigenous youth feel unsure of the opportunities they will be able to enjoy as adults. The Marten Monitoring and Youth Knowledge Transfer project will help youth see how the Cree way of life still connects very strongly to the land. It will pass on the values that teach the Cree to take only what they need from the land and ensure the continued existence of forests, rivers and wildlife. The program will also introduce Cree youth to scientific concepts and encourage them to consider careers as wildlife and resource professionals.
The monitoring program, based in the Cree community of Waswanipi, 700 kilometres/435 miles north of Montreal, will evaluate the impact of wildlife management guidelines on marten populations. The monitoring program combines western science and traditional knowledge aimed to transfer knowledge to Cree youth in the community. The monitoring program will also support the implementation of Cree standards and wildlife management for Cree wildlife sites of interest on Waswanipi lands.
The project will bring Cree youth to the trap line to monitor wildlife in an educational way, using scientific and traditional knowledge. They will participate in all the steps of the monitoring, from the elaboration of measuring instruments to the analysis of data, and will learn from the proven tracking methods of their forefathers. Learning will take place with peers in a natural setting as much as possible. The monitoring program will also include formal training with wildlife-monitoring techniques, which could potentially lead to career opportunities in resource and wildlife management.
Why is SFI involved?
SFI values this project because it will help transfer knowledge to youth and combine traditional and scientific approaches. The project’s potential to lead to career opportunities in resource and wildlife management is another key reason for SFI’s support.
One of SFI’s priorities is to connect youth to forests through education. We look for ways to instill a lifelong appreciation for the value forests represent for biodiversity, the broader environment, sustainable communities, responsibly sourced forest products and for our shared quality of life. The educational focus of this project also supports SFI’s focus on encouraging the next generation of future forest leaders.
Our work with Girl Guides of Canada, Scouts Canada, Boy Scouts of America, and other youth organizations and school programs like Earth Rangers and Project Learning Tree helps build healthy kids. It also engages youth in conservation activities and outdoor education.
Our kids’ contact with nature keeps shrinking. Today’s emphasis on screen time and indoor play is also linked to psychological and physical effects like obesity, loneliness, depression and attention problems. Getting kids into forests and helping them learn about sustainability is good for forests and good for kids.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
This project stands out from standard scientific monitoring programs because it advocates the integration of traditional knowledge from trappers and elders of the community in the development of protocols and the establishment of the monitoring.
The project also gives Resolute Canada and other SFI Program Participants in the Quebec SFI Implementation Committee an opportunity to engage directly with the community of Waswanipi. It will ultimately lead to a new rigorous resource management tool developed by and for the community, which could include prescribed guidelines for companies who work in the territory and who are likely to have an impact on the natural environment or on the practice of Cree traditional activities.
Partners
This partnership includes representatives from non-profit groups and SFI Program Participants. These partners include:
- Project lead: Cree First Nation of Waswanipi
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- The Gull Family
- Willie J. Happyjack Memorial School
- Waska Resources
- Cree Trappers Association
- Resolute Canada (SFI Program Participant)
- Quebec SFI Implementation Committee (consisting of SFI Program Participants)
Related information
- Read the SFI fact sheet: Addressing Indigenous Interests and Building Partnerships.
- Heiltsuk First Nation: Heiltsuk Culturally Modified Tree Database and Management System
- Montreal Lake Cree Nation Certified to SFI Standard to Enhance Forestry Operations and Community Sustainability
- SFI helped support the Native Earth Environmental Youth Camp, which is devoted to sustainable science and traditional ecological knowledge and run by the State University of New York in partnership with the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force.
- Cree First Nation of Waswanipi
About Cree First Nation of Waswanipi
The modern community of Waswanipi is located on Highway 113 along Waswanipi River and is accessible by road. Waswanipi means “Light on the Water”, it describes our past when we used the torch light fuelled by pine tar, to spear and catch sturgeon that had gathered to spawn at the mouth of Waswanipi River.
While the development of the region has had an impact on our lands and community, we are committed to the sustainable management of our resources. Our hard work and dedication with the model forest networks is an example to what can be achieved through proper consultation and research on development with our respective traditional territory. We have locally owned businesses to provide you with meals, groceries, supplies and equipment. We have hiking and cross-country ski trails, rustic camping spots, and a number of beautiful lakes and several challenging rivers for canoeing and kayaking.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantcreefirstnationofwaswanipi/
CREE FIRST NATION OF WASWANIPI
Partners for Sustainable Management of American Marten
Sustainable management of American marten trapping activities: training, development, monitoring, and enhancement of economic benefits
Why This Project Matters
Indigenous youth are Canada’s fastest-growing demographic group. At the same time, many of these Indigenous youth feel unsure of the opportunities they will be able to enjoy as adults. This project will help youth see how the Cree way of life still connects very strongly to the land. It will pass on the values that teach the Cree to take only what they need from the land and ensure the continued existence of forests, rivers, and wildlife. The program will also introduce Cree youth to scientific concepts and encourage them to consider careers as wildlife and resource professionals.
This project aims to find alternative solutions to help preserve American marten populations and to support traditional activities practiced by Cree tallymen, in the context of harmonization of traditional activities with forestry operations. A Cree tallyman is a Cree person recognized by a Cree community as being responsible for supervising harvesting activities on a Cree trapline.
Why is SFI Involved?
The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program is supporting this project. This project supports education and outreach around American marten populations, and it will propose solutions to harmonize traditional activities with sustainable forest management. SFI also values this project because it will help transfer knowledge to youth and combine traditional and scientific approaches. The project’s potential to lead to career opportunities in resource and wildlife management is another key reason for SFI’s support.
One of SFI’s priorities is to connect youth to forests through education. We look for ways to instill a lifelong appreciation for the value forests represent for biodiversity, the broader environment, sustainable communities, responsibly sourced forest products and for our shared quality of life. The educational focus of this project also supports SFI’s focus on encouraging the next generation of future forest leaders. This project builds on the success of a related 2017 project: Marten Monitoring and Youth Knowledge Transfer.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
Young people and Cree tallymen will work together at each stage of this project. This approach, combined with communication and promotional tools, will generate interest across the entire Waswanipi community and other Indigenous communities. Public information sessions with visual support materials such as field equipment, a leaflet in three languages and multimedia presentations are planned. In addition, a trapping logbook and newsletters will be produced and distributed to the community and to Cree Trappers’ Association offices. Free marten nesting boxes will also be distributed in the community.
This project also stands out from standard scientific monitoring programs because it advocates the integration of traditional knowledge from trappers and elders of the community in the development of protocols and the establishment of the monitoring. The project also gives SFI Program Participants in the Quebec SFI Implementation Committee an opportunity to engage directly and learn from the community of Waswanipi.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, researchers, conservationists, government, and industry.
- Project lead: Cree Trappers Association and Cree First Nation of Waswanipi
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- WashWa Nu
- Societé du Plan Nord
- Quebec SFI Implementation Committee
Related information
- Addressing Indigenous Interests and Building Partnerships (fact sheet)
- SFI’s Kathy Abusow speaks on CBC Radio about the SFI Small-Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples, Families, and Communities pilot (listen)
- SFI Small-Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples, Families and Communities
About the Cree Trappers Association and the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi
The Cree Trappers Associationis dedicated to preserving Cree culture by practicing traditional activities. Association members believe by maintaining Cree principles and values they can pass on Cree culture to the younger generation. Waswanipi means “Light on the Water,” it describes the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi’s past when they used torch light fuelled by pine tar, to spear and catch sturgeon that had gathered to spawn at the mouth of Waswanipi River. The modern community of Waswanipi, Quebec is about 600 km/375 miles directly north of Ottawa. While the development of the region has had an impact on Cree lands and communities, they are committed to the sustainable management of their resources. The Cree First Nation of Waswanipi’s support for the model forest networks is an example of what can be achieved through proper consultation and research on development within traditional Cree territory.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grant-cree-first-nation-marten-trapping/
DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA
Community Training to Enhance Wetland Conservation Through Sustainable Forest Management—Training Packages for Communities
Enhancing wetland conservation and engaging communities by providing sustainable forest management training packages.
Why this Project Matters
Wetlands are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet, but up to 70% of wetlands have been lost in settled areas of Canada. More are lost every day. As part of larger efforts to engage communities to counter this loss of wetlands, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has published sustainable forest management guidebooks that are for sale. Training resources published by DUC are important tools that equip practitioners with skills to enhance wetland conservation through sustainable forest management. However, cost is a barrier to some user groups, limiting the reach and impact of these resources. Over 5,000 people registered for the course when it was offered for free from April to June 2020. The free offering increased awareness and understanding about wetlands in Canada.
How the Project Is Enhancing Wetland Conservation and Engaging Communities by Providing Sustainable Forest Management Training Packages
This project is also focused on increasing awareness within communities that received training packages about green job opportunities within the forest and conservation sector. The training packages will enhance the accessibility of training and education opportunities for First Nations and Métis communities in Alberta. To increase awareness of green job opportunities, DUC will include A Guide to Green Jobs in Canada Voices of Indigenous Professionals, published by Project Learning Tree Canada, an initiative of SFI. The training package will also include information about the SFI Small‑Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples, Families, and Communities. Recipients will have the opportunity to follow up with project partners with questions about the guides.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting this project. SFI is also providing free copies of A Guide to Green Jobs in Canada Voices of Indigenous Professionals as well as information about the SFI Small‑Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples, Families, and Communities. The Western Canada SFI Implementation Committee will also give the project team access to the SFI network. SFI’s existing relationships with Indigenous communities will also be leveraged.
How this Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
Deciding which groups and individuals will receive the training packages will be an exercise in community engagement. Outreach to teachers and students and Indigenous and other community groups is key to this project. After the training packages are delivered, recipients will be engaged over the phone and online. These discussions will focus on soliciting feedback, answering questions, and gauging interest in further engagement and discussions. This project will also enhance the relevancy of training, education, and green job opportunities to DUC’s efforts to preserve wetlands. It also has the potential to inform forestry students and Indigenous youth about green career options related to sustainably managing wetlands.
Partners
This partnership includes conservationists, educators, forestry students, and Indigenous and SFI‑certified organizations.
- Project lead: Ducks Unlimited Canada
- Sustainable forestry Initiative
- Western Canada SFI Implementation Committee
- Millar Western Forest Products Ltd. (SFI‑certified company)
- Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd. (SFI‑certified company)
- West Fraser (SFI‑certified company)
Related Information
A Guide to Green Jobs in Canada Voices of Indigenous Professionals
SFI Small-Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples, Families, and Communities
About Duscks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited Canada has a mission to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North America’s waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.
DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, and landowners to get its work done so DUC can connect people to nature and make a healthier world for future generations. DUC has worked hard for more than 80 years to save Canada’s wetlands. These sloughs, ponds, marshes, and bogs play a critical role in maintaining the health of our environment, our economy and our lifestyles. Wetlands are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet, but up to 70% of wetlands have been lost in settled areas of Canada. More are lost every day. But DUC is making a difference. In 2020 alone, the DUC community helped conserve almost 40,000 hectares/99,000 acres of land that benefits the habitats of more than 600 wildlife species. Learn more.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/duc-community-training/
EARTH RANGERS
Brings Project Learning Tree School Site Investigations to Canada
Earth Rangers School Clubs Program and Clubs Missions
Why This Project Matters
Eco Clubs are popular in schools across Canada. However, they sometimes lack a clear mandate or direction and they often tend to focus on sustainable behaviours within the school rather than conservation beyond the school grounds. Teachers are also usually left with the full burden of creating and planning all club activities, which can be overwhelming and lead to a less active club. This project will leverage Earth Rangers’ extensive reach into schools through a new school clubs program that teachers and students can engage with year-round.
Why is SFI Involved?
The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program is supporting this project. Project materials will focus on sustainable forestry and the role Indigenous Peoples play in conservation, both of which are key areas of work for SFI.
The project will also spread the word about Project Learning Tree (PLT) Canadato teachers across Canada. PLT Canada is an initiative of SFI that uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase youth understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it. There is also a natural fit with PLT GreenSchoolsand Earth Rangers through GreenSchools Investigations — a set of five investigations to engage K-12 students in greening their school around energy, water, waste and recycling, school site, and environmental quality. This project will repurpose the school site investigation, with the intent of establishing a turnkey way of integrating Earth Rangers programming and promoting the existence of PLT to teachers in Canada.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
Earth Rangers will reach out to SFI Implementation Committees in order to leverage the members’ local connections to schools, increasing the reach of the clubs program in those communities. To encourage increased education and engagement in the natural world among students in schools, Earth Rangers will provide teachers with an easy-to-use and customizable platform. It will encourage learning and action on a variety of environmental and conservation issues, including those related to sustainable forest management and Indigenous values.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, researchers, conservationists, and industry.
- Project lead: Earth Rangers
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Forest Products Association of Canada
- The Schad Foundation
Related Information
About Earth Rangers
Earth Rangers is the kids’ conservation organization dedicated to educating children about biodiversity and conservation and empowering them to protect animals and their habitats. The Earth Rangers’ School Assembly Program is offered completely free of charge to elementary schools across Canada. It introduces students to four of the Earth Rangers Animal Ambassadors, including animals like Kateri the Peregrine Falcon, Gizmo the Eurasian Eagle Owl, and Quillow the Prehensile-tailed Porcupine. The 45‑minute assembly takes place in the school’s gym and features:
- An immersive HD multimedia experience
- Live Animal Ambassadors demonstrating their amazing natural behaviours
- A fun and interactive game that gets students and teachers involved
- Educational, curriculum-linked information appropriate for grades 1-6
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grant-earth-rangers-plt/
EARTH RANGERS
School Assembly Program Development
Project Overview
The Earth Rangers School Assembly Program offers a dynamic, fun and interactive presentation for grades 1-6. The program consists of a high quality, curriculum-linked assembly presentation that uses positive, science-based information to educate students about the importance of protecting biodiversity while highlighting conservation initiatives across Canada. Earth Rangers will receive $10,000 in 2016 and 2017 to help fund this program.
The funding will help complete development of a section of Earth Rangers’ 2016-17 School Assembly Program dedicated to educating students about forest ecosystems and sustainable forestry in Canada. Through the power of live animal demonstrations and exciting audience interaction, the School Assembly Program inspires students and motivates them to become actively involved in protecting the environment.
About Earth Rangers
Earth Rangers is the kids’ conservation organization, dedicated to educating children about biodiversity and conservation and empowering them to protect animals and their habitats.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantearthrangersschool/
EARTH RANGERS
Canadian Kids Get a Close Up Look at Forest Birds and Learn Why Forests Are a Way of Life
Earth Rangers School Assembly Program Delivery
Why this project matters
Earth Rangers’ School Assembly Program is an extremely successful program, reaching nearly 250,000 students in grades 1-6, in a single school year. The program delivers a dynamic, fun and interactive presentation, consisting of a high-quality, curriculum-linked assembly using positive, science-based information to educate children about the importance of protecting biodiversity while highlighting diverse conservation initiatives across Canada.
The Earth Rangers School Assembly is not a one-off experience, but an inspirational introduction to a program that encourages lasting engagement. The biggest differentiator between it and other environmental education programs is the follow-up component of becoming a member, completely free of charge. The Earth Rangers Membership Program provides students with an engaging online experience and tangible activities that make an impact on real-life conservation projects and environmental initiatives. To participate in the membership program, students visit EarthRangers.com and register to become an Earth Ranger. Teachers can also continue to engage their classes in environmental education by accessing our classroom activities and curriculum resources.
Why is SFI involved?
Through youth education, Earth Rangers is effectively reaching kids across Canada with important messages about forest protection. The SFI segment in our 2017-18 assembly teaches students about the vital work SFI-supported scientists are undertaking in the boreal forest.
The segment also gives students the proper context for why balanced forest management is necessary, explaining how forests are both important wildlife habitat but are also necessary for building things like homes and schools and for making products like paper and pencils. Presenters then provide interesting details about the SFI-supported Boreal Avian Modeling Project, giving insight into the varied and unexpected habitat types that different bird species prefer.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
SFI will ensure Canadian SFI Implementation Committees are aware of Earth Rangers’ work and build connections for future collaboration opportunities. As with any environmental education program, SFI will also work closely with Earth Rangers to determine opportunities for future Project Learning Tree collaboration in Canada. SFI will also work with Earth Rangers to develop online materials related to the grant project, SFI, well-managed forests, and biodiversity.
Partners
This partnership includes educators and forestry professionals.
- Project lead: Earth Rangers
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Related information
- Earth Rangers Canada’s work, including their Bring Back the Wild program, was featured in The Hamilton Spectator.
- Project Learning Tree, an SFI program, is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
- SFI connects youth to forests through education (project highlights).
- Nature Conservancy of Canada, Earth Rangers and SFI Want to Make Life Less Scary for Amphibians at Halloween and All Year Round (media release).
- The Boreal Avian Modelling Project
About Earth Rangers
Earth Rangers is the kids’ conservation organization, dedicated to educating children about biodiversity and conservation and empowering them to protect animals and their habitats. The Earth Rangers’ School Assembly Program is offered completely free of charge to elementary schools across Canada. It introduces students to four of the Earth Rangers Animal Ambassadors, including animals like Kateri the Peregrine Falcon, Gizmo the Eurasian Eagle Owl, and Quillow the Prehensile-tailed Porcupine. The 45‑minute assembly takes place in the school’s gym and features:
An immersive HD multimedia experience
Live Animal Ambassadors demonstrating their amazing natural behaviours
A fun and interactive game that gets students and teachers involved
Educational, curriculum-linked information appropriate for grades 1-6
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantearthrangers/
EARTH RANGERS
Brings Project Learning Tree School Site Investigations to Canada
Earth Rangers School Clubs Program and Clubs Missions
Why This Project Matters
Eco Clubs are popular in schools across Canada. However, they sometimes lack a clear mandate or direction and they often tend to focus on sustainable behaviours within the school rather than conservation beyond the school grounds. Teachers are also usually left with the full burden of creating and planning all club activities, which can be overwhelming and lead to a less active club. This project will leverage Earth Rangers’ extensive reach into schools through a new school clubs program that teachers and students can engage with year-round.
Why is SFI Involved?
The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program is supporting this project. Project materials will focus on sustainable forestry and the role Indigenous Peoples play in conservation, both of which are key areas of work for SFI.
The project will also spread the word about Project Learning Tree (PLT) Canadato teachers across Canada. PLT Canada is an initiative of SFI that uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase youth understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it. There is also a natural fit with PLT GreenSchoolsand Earth Rangers through GreenSchools Investigations — a set of five investigations to engage K-12 students in greening their school around energy, water, waste and recycling, school site, and environmental quality. This project will repurpose the school site investigation, with the intent of establishing a turnkey way of integrating Earth Rangers programming and promoting the existence of PLT to teachers in Canada.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
Earth Rangers will reach out to SFI Implementation Committees in order to leverage the members’ local connections to schools, increasing the reach of the clubs program in those communities. To encourage increased education and engagement in the natural world among students in schools, Earth Rangers will provide teachers with an easy-to-use and customizable platform. It will encourage learning and action on a variety of environmental and conservation issues, including those related to sustainable forest management and Indigenous values.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, researchers, conservationists, and industry.
- Project lead: Earth Rangers
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Forest Products Association of Canada
- The Schad Foundation
Related Information
About Earth Rangers
Earth Rangers is the kids’ conservation organization dedicated to educating children about biodiversity and conservation and empowering them to protect animals and their habitats. The Earth Rangers’ School Assembly Program is offered completely free of charge to elementary schools across Canada. It introduces students to four of the Earth Rangers Animal Ambassadors, including animals like Kateri the Peregrine Falcon, Gizmo the Eurasian Eagle Owl, and Quillow the Prehensile-tailed Porcupine. The 45‑minute assembly takes place in the school’s gym and features:
- An immersive HD multimedia experience
- Live Animal Ambassadors demonstrating their amazing natural behaviours
- A fun and interactive game that gets students and teachers involved
- Educational, curriculum-linked information appropriate for grades 1-6
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grant-earth-rangers-plt/
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS
Immersive Education Event Helps Teacher Teams Integrate Environmental Science Education
EdVentures for Educators
Why This Project Matters
Supporting teachers to help them develop understanding and expertise in environmental science education can pay enormous dividends. Teachers are in an excellent position to encourage students to become environmental stewards. However, integrating environmental science education into school curriculums can be a complex and time-consuming task.
To tackle this challenge, EdVentures for Educators is planning an immersive two-day professional development education event for October 2019, hosted by Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI). Thirty-five teachers will work in teams to integrate environmental science education into curriculums. The training will be three-pronged and include academic instruction, field experience, and leadership development.
Why is SFI Involved?
The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program is supporting the EdVentures for Educators project led by the Environmental Education Association of Illinois.The association along with the U.S. Forest Service and Southern Illinois University will train teachers to engage students in environmental education through Project Learning Tree (PLT) activities. PLT is an initiative of SFI that uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase youth understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it.
EdVentures for Educators will also include field experiences in Shawnee National Forest and an immersive education experience at Southern Illinois University’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center. Participants will complete the training with an implementation plan for environmental education activities aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Educators will participate in ongoing learning and community activities to strengthen the quality and implementation of environmental education, outdoor learning, and community resource connections.
How the Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
EEAI is the state affiliate organization for the North American Association for Environmental Education, which provides an online network of thousands of educators who will be exposed to EdVentures for Educators. EEAI also serves as the state sponsor for the PLT program in Illinois. The project plan and outcomes will be shared with other educators and states that might be interested in replicating this project. The project will also include follow-up webinars, collaborative teaching calls, online discussion forums, surveys to determine program effectiveness, and best practices for implementing new curriculum. Teaching teams who work with diverse audiences of underserved student populations will be given priority.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, researchers, conservationists, and government.
- Project lead: Environmental Education Association of Illinois
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Champaign County Forest Preserve District
- U.S. Forest Service — Shawnee National Forest
- Southern Illinois University — Touch of Nature Environmental Center
- Madison County Regional Office of Education
Related Information
About the Environmental Education Association of Illinois
The Environmental Education Association of Illinois is a group of concerned citizens who are interested in educating people of all ages about the importance of understanding and protecting the environment.
Since its inception in 1972, the association has provided leadership at the local, state and national level within the environmental education community by providing and supporting professional development services to the formal and non-formal educator. As host to national, state-based and independent professional development events and curriculums such as Project Learning Tree, Growing Up WILD, and the Midwest Environmental Education Consortium, the association has set a professional standard that educators have learned to depend on.
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EVANS LAKE FOREST EDUCATION SOCIETY
2011 Forest Education Symposium
Project Overview
In 2011, the Evans Lake Forest Education Society received $4,000 to host its Forest Education Symposium for educators at its center north of Vancouver, British Columbia. The Symposium, which occurred on October 21, 2011, brought together educators who want to teach balanced lessons about the economic, social and environmental benefits of sustainable forest management; and knowledgeable professionals, including Evans Lake Forest Education Centre staff and SFI representatives.
The symposium gave teachers and administrators tools to enrich forest education programs at their schools. They received a program package of up-to-date educational resources including suggested activities and locations, a chart linking activities to Prescribed Learning Outcomes, and other related resources. Each package included an electronic version so teachers can easily tailor the information to meet specific class needs. In addition to workshops and demonstration activities, participants were given and introduction to SFI certification hosted by the Western Canada SFI Implementation Committee.
Supporting the SFI Standard
This activity supports the SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry, including Performance Measure 17.2 requiring that program participants support and promote public outreach, education and involvement related to sustainable forestry management.
Project Partners
The Evans Lake Forest Education Society worked in partnership with the Western Canada SFI Implementation Committee.
News
SFI Funds Community-based Education and Green Building Projects
Press Release – June 20, 2011
Project Resources
About Evans Lake Forest Education Society
The Evans Lake Forest Education Society is a non-profit, charitable organization with a mandate to offer forest education programs at Evans Lake Forest Education Centre in Squamish, British Columbia. Surrounded by forest, it offers a feeling of wilderness seclusion but features all basic amenities. Each year, the Evans Lake Forest Education Centre offers a full summer camp program with sessions for campers aged 8-12 years, 13-16 years as well as Leadership Training Camps and wilderness based Outdoor Adventure Kamps (OAK).
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FÉDÉRATION DES PRODUCTEURS FORESTIERS DU QUÉBEC (FPFQ)
Update of the “Sound Forestry Practices for Private Woodlots” Field Guide
Project Overview
The “Fédération des producteurs forestiers du Québec” (FPFQ) has released the fourth edition of the “Sound Forestry Practices for Private Woodlots Field Guide,” which is used by small woodlot owners and forest managers to promote responsible forest management. The updated guide was supported in part by a $10,000 SFI Community Partnerships Grant.
Download a copy of the guide (French only).
This newest edition includes enhanced content covering key themes such as identifying watercourse crossing features and wetlands, conservation of wildlife habitat, timber measurement and stacking for transport, sugarbush development and tree-felling safety regulations. The online version of the guide also features videos.
Within the province of Quebec, the guide is becoming an essential tool for implementing the requirements of the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard, which requires manufacturers to reach out to landowners and to also ensure training of timber producers. The FPFQ Guide is commonly used by SFI Program Participants to help them address the standard’s requirements. On an annual basis, SFI Program Participants provide training to more than 300 woodlot owners and close to 550 forestry contractors and producers in Quebec.
Objective 2 of the 2015-2019 SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard seeks to broaden the practice of sustainable forestry through the use of best management practices to protect water quality. The FPFQ guide’s information on crossing streams and other water courses is an example of how it supports SFI’s approach to protecting water quality.
Objective 7 of the Standard aims to promote sustainable forestry through public outreach, education, and involvement and to support the efforts of SFI Implementation Committees. The guide embodies this educational approach.
Project Partners
In addition to the Fédération des producteurs forestiers du Québec, partners include 13 forest-related marketing boards in Quebec, the Quebec SFI Implementation Committee, Canadian forest service and the Fondation de la Faune du Québec (FFQ).
Completed Projects Short Videos
How to Become a Forest Producer
White Tail Deer Habitat Management
About Fédération des producteurs forestiers du Québec
The FPFQ is the provincial advocacy organization responsible for promoting the best interests of 130,000 woodlot owners. Its actions are focused on the protection and development of private woodlots.
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FLORIDA SFI IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
Teaching Sustainable Forestry to University Students through Project Learning Tree (PLT)
Project Description
The Florida SFI Implementation Committee received $5,000 funding PLT educator workshops for university students utilizing the theme of “sustainable forestry” using selected PLT lessons from current manuals. The project will fund workshops for the 2013-2014 school year.
Supporting the SFI Standard
The project will support SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry, including Performance Measure 17.2 requiring that program participants support and promote public outreach, education and involvement related to sustainable forestry management.
Project Partners
In addition to the Florida SFI Implementation Committee and Florida Project Learning Tree, partners include U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Packaging Corporation of America, St. Petersburg College, Florida Forest Service, Leon County Extension and University of Florida.
About Florida SIC
The SFI program responds to local needs and issues across North America through 35 SFI Implementation Committees at the state, provincial or regional level. This unique grassroots network involves private landowners, independent loggers, forestry professionals, local governments agencies, academics, scientists, and conservationists.
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FLORIDA SFI IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
Teaching Sustainable Forestry to University Students through Project Learning Tree (PLT)
Project Description
The Florida SFI Implementation Committee received $5,000 funding PLT educator workshops for university students utilizing the theme of “sustainable forestry” using selected PLT lessons from current manuals. The project will fund workshops for the 2013-2014 school year.
Supporting the SFI Standard
The project will support SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry, including Performance Measure 17.2 requiring that program participants support and promote public outreach, education and involvement related to sustainable forestry management.
Project Partners
In addition to the Florida SFI Implementation Committee and Florida Project Learning Tree, partners include U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Packaging Corporation of America, St. Petersburg College, Florida Forest Service, Leon County Extension and University of Florida.
About Florida SIC
The SFI program responds to local needs and issues across North America through 35 SFI Implementation Committees at the state, provincial or regional level. This unique grassroots network involves private landowners, independent loggers, forestry professionals, local governments agencies, academics, scientists, and conservationists.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantfloridasic/
THE FOREST FOUNDATION
Expansion of Map It, Manage It, Sustain It Forest Education Program
Project Overview
The Forest Foundation received $4,000 in 2011 to expand its Map It, Manage It, Sustain It Education Program, bringing together local landowners, forestry professionals, college faculty, and high schools in a collaborative learning environment.
SFI’s funding allowed The Foundation and its partners to expand the program to Plumas and Sierra Counties in California. The program enabled students to directly experience modern, technologically advanced forest management practices by combining tours of sawmills and forests certified to the SFI standard with hands-on field and classroom exercises.
The Map It, Manage It, Sustain It program cultivates tomorrow’s forest management professionals and informs the community on important topics related to modern methods of managing and sustaining California’s forests. The expansion allowed an additional 30 students and their teachers to explore ways in which forest managers plan for the long-term health and productivity of our forests, and to share their knowledge with their communities.
Supporting the SFI Standard
Map It, Manage It, Sustain It directly relates to SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 1: Forest Management Planning; Objective 2: Forest Productivity; Objective 16: Training and Education; and Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry. It also supports SFI requirements to protect water resources, conserve biological diversity, support forestry research and promote sustainable forest management on public lands.
Project Partners
In addition to The Forest Foundation, project partners included Sierra Pacific Industries and Soper-Wheeler Company. Partners making in-kind contributions include UC Berkeley Forestry Camp, University of California Cooperative Extension, and area high schools and colleges.
News
SFI Funds Community-based Education and Green Building Projects
Press Release – June 20, 2011
Project Resources
About The Forest Foundation
The Forest Foundation is a non-profit organization created in 1994 to inform Californians, particularly K-12 students, about the role forests play in the environmental and economic health of our state. Its mission is to foster public understanding of forest ecosystems in California by providing balanced, science-based information on environmental, economic, and societal uses of forest resources for present and succeeding generations.
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FOREST ONTARIO
SFI Is Helping Students and Teachers Get Firsthand Experience in the Boreal Forest
The Forestry Connects Program
Why this project matters
Ontario’s population is 86% urban, according to Statistics Canada. This means Ontario’s vast forests are outside the daily experiences of most Ontarians. SFI’s support for Forestry Connects, will help connect about 100 high school students and teachers to the boreal forest and give them real-life experience in responsible forest management.
Established in 2010, the Forestry Connects program, led by Forests Ontario, gives Ontario high school students a first-hand look at what it’s like to work in forestry. More than 350 students and teachers have participated in the program to go into Ontario’s forests to meet with foresters, operators, Indigenous people, and biologists to learn about growing and responsibly managing Ontario’s forests.
From visits to local mills and harvesting operations to lessons on local wildlife and the identification of different trees, the program demonstrates the importance of forests to local communities, and the complexity and benefits of active forest management and planning. By the end of the program, students have a better understanding of the integral role forests play in cleaning our air and water, regulating Ontario’s climate, and creating products we rely on every day, as well as inspiring potential careers in sustainable forest management.
Why is SFI involved?
SFI values this project because it provides students with firsthand experience that exposes them to real life experience in responsible forestry and connects them with resource professionals who may inspire them to pursue careers in forestry.
One of SFI’s priorities is to connect youth to forests through education. We look for ways to instill a lifelong appreciation for the value forests represent for biodiversity, the wider environment, sustainable communities, responsibly sourced forest products and for our shared quality of life. The educational focus of this project also supports SFI’s focus on encouraging the next generation of future forest leaders.
Our work with Girl Guides of Canada, Scouts Canada, Boy Scouts of America, and other youth organizations and school programs like Earth Rangers and Project Learning Tree helps build healthy kids. It also engages youth in conservation activities and outdoor education.
Our kids’ contact with nature keeps shrinking. Today’s emphasis on screen time and indoor play is also linked to psychological and physical effects like obesity, loneliness, depression and attention problems. Getting kids into forests and helping them learn about sustainability is good for forests and good for kids.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
This grant supports SFI’s community engagement efforts in two primary ways — it connects youth to forests and it serves to train and educate future forestry professionals. The Central Canada SFI Implementation Committee, which includes SFI Program Participants Domtar, EACOM, Resolute Forest Products and Weyerhauser, all with lands certified to SFI, is working with Forestry Connects to engage with schools in multiple communities. This is opening doors to students in Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Ignace, Sioux Narrows, Winnipeg, Whitemouth and Falcon Lake.
Schools will participate in a one-to-two-day program taking them into the field to see active harvesting, learn hands on forestry skills like tree tagging and identification, and see finished wood products in order to understand the process from harvesting to product. Forests Ontario and their partners will develop a series of learning resources focused on forest management in Northern Ontario that will be freely accessible to teachers for use in the classroom. Resources will make knowledge of forest management accessible beyond Forestry Connects participants.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, conservationists, researchers, SFI Program Participants and municipal officials.
- Project lead: Forests Ontario
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Canadian Institute of Forestry
- Central Canada SFI Implementation Committee (consisting of SFI Program Participants)
- City of Kenora
- Domtar (SFI Program Participant)
- EACOM (SFI Program Participant)
- FPInnovations
- Resolute Forest Products (SFI Program Participant)
- Weyerhauser (SFI Program Participant)
- Manitoba Forestry Association
Related information
- Read an op-ed about how Earth Rangers, an SFI-grantee, empowers children on environmental issues giving them opportunities to take action and to make a difference.
- A marten monitoring project, supported by SFI, is connecting youth in the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi to the forest by bringing them on the trap line to monitor wildlife in an educational way, using scientific and traditional knowledge.
- SFI supports Project Learning Tree an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
- The Nature Conservancy is teaming up with SFI to help at-risk youth prepare for jobs as forest technicians, while restoring conservation values in native forests.
- Forests Ontario
About Forests Ontario
Forests Ontario is dedicated to making Ontario’s forests greener. Its ambitious tree planting initiatives, extensive education programs, and decades of community outreach have helped plant millions of trees in the province each year — and it’s through these efforts that they are bringing our vision for healthier forests to a new generation of stewards, partners, teachers, and donors.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantforestsontariob/
FORESTS ONTARIO
Ontario High Schoolers Experience the Forest
Forestry Connects – Timmins
Why this project matters
Ontario’s population is 86% urban, according to Statistics Canada. This means Ontario’s vast forests are outside the daily experiences of most Ontarians. SFI’s support for Forestry Connects, will help connect about 100 high school students and teachers to the boreal forest and give them real-life experience in responsible forest management.
Established in 2010, the Forestry Connects program, led by Forests Ontario, gives Ontario high school students a first-hand look at what it’s like to work in forestry. More than 350 students and teachers have participated in the program by going into Ontario’s forests to meet with foresters, operators, Indigenous people, and biologists to learn about growing and responsibly managing Ontario’s forests.
From visits to local mills and harvesting operations to lessons on local wildlife and the identification of different trees, the program demonstrates the importance of forests to local communities, and the complexity and benefits of active forest management and planning. By the end of the program, students have a better understanding of the integral role forests play in cleaning our air and water, regulating Ontario’s climate, and creating products we rely on every day, as well as inspiring potential careers in sustainable forest management.
Why is SFI involved?
SFI values this project because it provides students with firsthand experience that exposes them to real life experience in responsible forestry and connects them with resource professionals who may inspire them to pursue careers in forestry. Our kids’ contact with nature also keeps shrinking. Today’s emphasis on screen time and indoor play is also linked to psychological and physical effects like obesity, loneliness, depression and attention problems. Getting kids into forests and helping them learn about sustainability is good for forests and good for kids.
One of SFI’s priorities is to connect youth to forests through education. We look for ways to instill a lifelong appreciation for the value forests represent for biodiversity, the wider environment, sustainable communities, responsibly sourced forest products and for our shared quality of life. The educational focus of this project also supports SFI’s focus on encouraging the next generation of future forest leaders.
Our work with Scouts Canada, Boy Scouts of America, and other youth organizations and school programs like Earth Rangers and Project Learning Tree helps build healthy kids. It also engages youth in conservation activities and outdoor education.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
This grant supports SFI’s community engagement efforts in two primary ways — it connects youth to forests and it serves to train and educate future forestry professionals. The Central Canada SFI Implementation Committee, which includes SFI Program Participants Domtar, EACOM, Resolute Forest Products and Weyerhauser, all with lands certified to SFI, is working with Forestry Connects to engage with schools in multiple communities. This is opening doors to students in Northern Ontario.
Schools will participate in a one-to-two-day program taking them into the field to see active harvesting, learn hands-on forestry skills like tree tagging and identification, and see finished wood products in order to understand the process from harvesting to product. Forests Ontario and their partners will develop a series of learning resources focused on forest management in Northern Ontario that will be freely accessible to teachers for use in the classroom. Resources will make knowledge of forest management accessible beyond Forestry Connects participants.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, conservationists and SFI Program Participants.
- Project lead: Forests Ontario
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Central Canada SFI Implementation Committee
- Domtar (SFI Program Participant)
- EACOM (SFI Program Participant)
- Resolute Forest Products (SFI Program Participant)
- Weyerhauser (SFI Program Participant)
Related information
- SFI helps students and teachers get firsthand experience in the boreal forest through the Forestry Connects Program.
- Project Learning Tree, an SFI program, is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
- The Nature Conservancy is teaming up with SFI to help at-risk youth prepare for jobs as forest technicians, while restoring conservation values in native forests.
- SFI connects youth to forests through education (project highlights).
About Forests Ontario
Forests Ontario is dedicated to making Ontario’s forests greener. Its ambitious tree planting initiatives, extensive education programs, and decades of community outreach have helped plant millions of trees in the province each year — and it’s through these efforts that they are bringing our vision for healthier forests to a new generation of stewards, partners, teachers, and donors.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantforestsontario/
FRASER BASIN COUNCIL SOCIETY
SFI Is Bringing Indigenous Peoples, Sport Fishing Enthusiasts and Forest Managers Together to Help Thompson Steelhead
The Thompson Steelhead Community Collaboration Initiative
Why this project matters
Steelhead are an iconic symbol of the Thompson River and region in British Columbia. Having long sustained Indigenous people, steelhead are also central to the region’s world-class recreational fishery. Unfortunately, this salmonid species is in decline, and today Thompson Steelhead are classed as a species of extreme conservation concern by the provincial government.
A new initiative is underway for a recovery and management plan that will bring together multiple partners from across a diverse group of communities. This project, led by the Fraser Basin Council, will engage SFI Program Participants about how Indigenous peoples value steelhead, identify modified forest management practices and seek future opportunities to collaborate.
Why is SFI involved?
This initiative is designed to raise awareness and foster collaboration between Indigenous peoples, the commercial sport fishery and forest managers in the Thompson River watershed. Indigenous peoples have long relied on forests for cultural, spiritual and material needs.
SFI builds partnerships with Indigenous communities and the SFI 2015-2021 Forest Management Standard requires certificate holders to recognize and respect Indigenous peoples’ rights. This steelhead initiative supports this requirement. The initiative also supports SFI’s focus on supporting sustainable rural communities. The steelhead commercial fishery is an important source of income for communities in the Thompson River watershed.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
This grant supports SFI’s community engagement efforts in three primary ways. Training and educating current and future professionals, notably resource managers, is a key SFI community focus. This initiative directly engages forest management planners in addressing values that support steelhead habitat. SFI Program Participants BC Timber Sales, Stuwix Resources and West Fraser Mills are supporting these engagement efforts.
SFI’s commitment to support and promote Indigenous heritage values is directly addressed by the initiative’s plans to convey the importance of steelhead to the cultural and dietary requirements of the Nlaka’pamux and Secwepemc peoples.
A third SFI community value – supporting underserved communities through forestry – is addressed by helping recover steelhead populations, which will ultimately result in a return of a sport fishery for B.C. communities such as Spence’s Bridge. It is estimated that up to two-thirds of the economic value of the sport fishery in small communities such as Spence’s Bridge has been lost with the decline of steelhead over the last few decades.
Partners
This partnership includes Indigenous peoples, provincial government departments, conservationists and SFI Program Participants.
- Project lead: Fraser Basin Council
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
- BC Timber Sales (SFI Program Participant)
- Cook’s Ferry Indian Band
- Secwepemc Fisheries Commission
- Stuwix Resources (SFI Program Participant)
- West Fraser Mills (SFI Program Participant)
Related information
- The SFI fact sheet: Addressing Indigenous Interests and Building Partnerships.
- Read an op-ed in the Prince George Citizen by David Walkem Chief of the Cooks Ferry Band and SFI Board Member, about the role of responsible forestry in sustaining Indigenous communities.
- Fraser Basin Council
About Fraser Basin Council Society
The Fraser Basin Council (FBC) is a charitable non-profit society that brings people together to advance sustainability in the Fraser Basin and across British Columbia. Established in 1997, FBC is a collaboration of four orders of government (federal, provincial, local and First Nations), along with those from the private sector and civil society.
Over the past 16 years, FBC has helped people learn about sustainability, resolve conflicts, and roll out partnership initiatives with a focus on climate change and air quality, watersheds and water resources, and local sustainability and resilience. We support leaders in government, business and community organizations in finding collaborative solutions to tough issues and promising opportunities.
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FRIENDS OF THE TRINITY COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Youth in Sustainable Forestry Project
Inspiring high school students to consider forestry careers and appreciate sustainable forestry and Indigenous land stewardship.
Why this Project Matters
Weaverville, Trinity County, in California’s remote Klamath Mountains, experienced a sharp decline in the timber industry in the 1980s and 1990s. Despite an abundance of natural resources, the local economy has struggled to recover in the decades since the downturn. In the early 2000s, Weaverville residents established the Weaverville Community Forest, which is on the ancestral territory of Nor-Rel-Muk Wintu Nation. Today, the forest supports a thriving sustainable forestry operation that is one of the county’s largest private employers. However, the continued existence of a local sustainable forestry economy depends on engaging the next generation of natural resource professionals to manage the community forest. A lack of resources to engage youth is a major obstacle to encouraging them to consider forest sector careers. Trinity High School, for example, doesn’t have any environmental science teachers on staff.
How the Project Is Engaging Youth in Sustainable Forestry and Building an Appreciation for Indigenous Land Stewardship
The Friends of the Trinity County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD ) are supporting TCRCD staff and Nor-Rel-Muk Wintu tribal members to work together to select locally tailored curriculum and produce high school field guide workbooks focused on Indigenous land stewardship, sustainable forestry, and related career paths. These workbooks will be part of a year-long fieldtrip program for Trinity High School students. Through this project, a cohort of young people just beginning to establish their career goals and higher education interests will be engaged and inspired. Project resources will empower teachers to address these subjects in their classes for years to come.
SFI’s Contribution
The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting this project. It will help grow meaningful relationships between the TCRCD, Nor-Rel-Muk Wintu tribal members, Trinity High School Teachers and students, the
Trinity County Office of Education, and Sierra Pacific Industries (an SFI-certified company).
How this Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
This project will enhance the relevancy and accessibility of training, education, and green job opportunities within the forest and conservation sectors. A major community goal for the Weaverville Community Forest and other local organizations is to raise awareness about the importance of collaborative stewardship and sustainable forestry for the region’s economy and ecosystems. This project will achieve this goal by using the community forest and surrounding Sierra Pacific Industries lands as an outdoor classroom to teach high school students about higher education and career options related to sustainably managing local forest ecosystems.
Partners
This partnership includes conservationists, educators, Indigenous communities, and SFI‑certified organizations.
- Project lead: Friends of the Trinity County Resource Conservation District
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Trinity County Office of Education
- Nor-Rel-Muk Wintu Nation
- Sierra Pacific Industries (SFI‑certified company)
Related Information
New PLT Curriculum Introduces Youth to Green Careers
SFI Promotes Indigenous Rights, Respect and Engagement
Northern California Society of American Foresters—Forestry Institute for Teachers field trips
About the Trinity County Resource Conservation District
Friends of the Trinity County Resource Conservation District is the fiscal sponsor for the Trinity County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD). TCRCD is a county-wide agency, encompassing 2.1 million acres in rural Northern California, receiving funding from local, state, federal agencies, and non‑governmental organizations. The TCRCD Board of Directors is guided by landowners and the community in their decisions and actions. TCRCD employees carry out day-to-day operations, guided by priorities and policies set by the Board. The TCRCD focuses attention on land, water, and related resource problems, develops programs to solve them, and enlists and coordinates help from all public and private sources that can contribute to accomplishing TCRCD goals.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/friends-of-the-trinity-county/
GREENWOOD HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat in Step with Sustainability
Project Overview
Forests not only provide habitat for wildlife, they provide the building materials that comprise our homes. While protecting wildlife habitat through sustainable management is integral to the SFI Standard, helping at-need individuals find shelter is an important value we also support. That’s why SFI Inc. is continuing to partner with Habitat for Humanity by providing $5,000 to support a sustainable and energy efficient home build. In addition to grant support, several SFI program participants will contribute as volunteers and the build will feature SFI certified building products. The Greenwood Habitat affiliate hosting the build will also explain the importance of SFI and sustainable forest management to volunteers participating in the build. This was also highlighted through an optional tour of Norbord’s OSB production facility where building products certified to the SFI standard are manufactured.
Supporting the SFI Standard
The project supports SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry.
Project Partners
Greenwood Area Habitat for Humanity will partner with the South Carolina SFI Implementation Committee and a wide range of local community groups and SFI program participants.
Project Resources
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian organization founded in 1976 by a successful Georgia lawyer, Millard Fuller. As of the year 2006, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.
In 1988, Tom Bryson, a retired county agent, collaborating with local citizens applied for and was granted affiliation. Since that time, Greenwood Area Habitat for Humanity (GAHFH) has served 72 families. Using volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, GAHFH constructs these homes with the help of partner families.
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GEORGIA FORESTRY FOUNDATION
Getting Georgia Kids Reading and Learning about Forests
The Forever Tree
Why this project matters
Currently, two-thirds of Georgia’s third graders are not reading at grade level. Georgia’s working forests cover two-thirds of the state. This initiative, in partnership with the Governor’s Office and the Get Georgia Reading campaign seeks to connect children to forests by helping them learn to read.
Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal launched her Read Across Georgia initiative in support of Governor Nathan Deal’s goal of increasing the percentage of children reading at grade level by the end of third grade. The governor proclaimed March Read Across Georgia month to support this initiative.
Why is SFI involved?
The Georgia Forestry Foundation will leverage statewide partnerships, including the Georgia SFI Implementation Committee, to provide hands-on classroom activities teaching children about the importance of trees, through use of a book entitled The Forever Tree. The Georgia Forestry Foundation will use the book to enhance collaboration with Project Learning Tree (PLT), donate copies of the book to every elementary school in the state and all 401 public community libraries as well as including the book in afterschool programs with local community organizations.
This book also lends itself to serving as an icebreaker to engage more teachers and schools regarding the opportunities within PLT, an SFI program. PLT is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
The fact that two-thirds of Georgia’s third-graders are not reading on grade level, brings long-term negative consequences to these children, their families, their communities, and the state. Unwilling to ignore the challenge of illiteracy in Georgia, hundreds of public and private leaders from across the state and across sectors have come together to take on third-grade reading as an urgent priority for all who care about children’s health and well-being. Together, they developed an agenda outlining the conditions necessary for every child in Georgia to become a proficient reader by the end of third grade, paving the way to improved outcomes throughout school and life.
Partners
This partnership includes educators and volunteers.
- Project lead: Georgia Forestry Foundation
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Get Georgia Reading
Related information
- Project Learning Tree, an SFI program, is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
- SFI connects youth to forests through education (project highlights).
About the Georgia Forestry Foundation
The Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF), established in 1990, is a 501 (c) (3) organization that acts as the educational arm of the Georgia Forestry Association. Their mission is to sustain Georgia’s forests through funding and support of leadership development, policy studies and education to enhance the economic, environmental and community value of working forests for Georgia. The Foundation has three pillars – Leadership; Policy Studies and Education. They work to develop leaders within the forestry community to be confident advocates at the government, business and community levels. They provide analysis and information that informs policy favorable to Georgia’s working forests, and develop educational experiences with a statewide focus that reach multiple target audiences.
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GEORGIA HEIRS PROPERTY LAW CENTER
Helping Georgia Forestry Professionals Support Underserved Communities
Tangled Title and Timber: A Continuing Education Webinar on Heirs Property in Georgia
Why this project matters
Although African Americans had amassed 15 million acres/6 million hectares of land in the U.S. South between 1865 and 1919, today 97% of those lands have been lost, according to the Land Trust Alliance.
Understanding heirs’ property (aka tangled title) is critical to working with underserved communities. Developed by the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, Southern Regional Extension Forestry, and SFI Georgia this free and publicly available webinar will explain how foresters can support heirs’ property owners to better manage their timber as an asset.
Heirs property is the untold story behind blight and generational poverty in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Heirs property refers to a home or land that passes from generation to generation without a legally designated owner. This results in ownership being divided among all living descendants in a family. This unstable form of ownership limits a family’s ability to build generational wealth and hampers the efforts of nonprofits and cities to revitalize neighborhoods.
Why is SFI involved?
SFI is committed to identifying ways to support engaging African American forest owners in the U.S. South, including land retention. SFI, as an organization that stands for future forests, believes we can collaborate to help keep forests as forests and ensure that they are responsibly managed to provide conservation values as well as financial benefits to the African Americans who own these forestlands.
Forestry offers many older farmers, landowners not living on their land, and multiple generations of heirs who want to keep their land together, an opportunity to protect their land assets while generating income from their land. Managed forestry can help landowners prosper in retirement and through multiple generations. It can also be a powerful tool to help resolve heirs’ property issues and ownership questions and offers a means to help preserve the important social and cultural heritage of African American land ownership.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
Supporting engagement of underserved landowners connects well with SFI’s community engagement goals, specifically by training and educating current and future forestry practitioners and professionals. The project also supports underserved communities through forestry, with a focus on urban forestry, rural communities and minority landowners. And it demonstrates the conservation values of forests certified to SFI through community-related projects.
Through partnership and support of others operating effectively on these issues, and by using the natural strength of SFI Implementation Committees and our network of SFI Program Participants, SFI can become a vital piece of the solution to this important issue. As such, SFI Inc. will fund this project to further our priority engagement on this important issue. SFI will work with the project leaders at the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center to incorporate content regarding the SFI small lands module into the webinar, as well as determine opportunities to leverage this work with other SFI Implementation Committees across the U.S. South.
Partners
This partnership includes legal experts, community activists, forestry professionals and conservationists.
- Project lead: Georgia Heirs Property Law Center
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Southern Regional Extension Forestry
- Georgia SFI Implementation Committee
Related information
- SFI is helping the Black Family Land Trust keep forestlands in the hands of African American families — A Tree, Is A Tree, Is A Tree 101.
- The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities received a 2014 SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant to support African American forestland owners.
- The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities supports related work in multiple landscapes, including Southside Virginia.
About the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center
Recognizing the need for prevention, education, and remediation of heirs’ property led to the creation of the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, Inc. The Center has served Georgia’s heirs’ property owners, nonprofits, and municipalities since 2015. The Center is a not-for-profit law firm dedicated to increasing generational wealth, social justice, and community stability by securing and preserving property rights of low- and moderate‑income Georgians. The Center’s services include title clearing, will creation, estate planning, and connecting clients with programs to increase the value of their land and homes. Staff travel throughout the state from offices in Atlanta, Athens, and Macon.
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GEORGIA SFI IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
Georgia Forestry Community Habitat for Humanity Build
Project Details
The Georgia SIC, along with landowners, industry, state agencies, foresters, loggers, and others, received $5,000 toward a Habitat for Humanity home build in Macon, GA. The home-build will be part of a video story of the forestry cycle from seedling to forest to mill to products and replanting to begin the cycle anew.
Supporting the SFI Standard
The project will support SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry, including Performance Measure 17.2 requiring that program participants support and promote public outreach, education and involvement related to sustainable forestry management.
Project Partners
In addition to the Georgia SFI Implementation Committee, partners include Georgia Forestry Association Emerging Leaders; Georgia Forestry Commission; Georgia Forestry Foundation; Georgia Tree Farm Committee; Georgia Division-Society of American Foresters; and Southeastern Wood Producers Association.
About Georgia SIC
The SFI program responds to local needs and issues across North America through 35 SFI Implementation Committees at the state, provincial or regional level. This unique grassroots network involves private landowners, independent loggers, forestry professionals, local governments agencies, academics, scientists, and conservationists. The Georgia SFI Implementation Committee works behind the scenes supporting responsible forestry, wood procurement and harevsting in Georgia.
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GEORGIA SFI IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
Collaborates with Georgia Heirs Property Law Center
Georgia Landowner Academy Supports Underserved Communities in Georgia
Why this Project Matters
This program, led by the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, is focused on addressing the challenges families face relating to heirs’ property. Heirs’ property is the untold story behind blight and generational poverty throughout Georgia. Heirs’ property refers to a home or land that passes from generation to generation without a legally designated owner. This results in ownership being divided among all living descendants in a family.
This unstable form of ownership limits a family’s ability to build generational wealth. Although African Americans had amassed 15 million acres/6 million hectares of land in the U.S. South between 1865 and 1919, today 97% of those lands have been lost, according to the Land Trust Alliance.
Forestry offers many older farmers, landowners not living on their land, and multiple generations of heirs who want to keep their land together, an opportunity to protect their land assets while generating income from their land. Managed forestry can help landowners prosper in retirement and through multiple generations. It can also be a powerful tool to help resolve heirs’ property issues and ownership questions and offers a means to help preserve the important social and cultural heritage of African American land ownership.
Why is SFI Involved?
The SFI Community Engagement Grant Program is supporting this project. It is an extension of an SFI-supported Georgia Heirs Property Law Center project from 2018. The current project has a more refined and targeted set of landowners, taking the project beyond education to provide land title and deed support. Through the Georgia Landowner Academy, the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center engages new, inexperienced, and underserved landowners in an SFI-aligned technical assistance program. This helps prepare them to develop land management plans, engage the U.S. Forest Service, the Georgia Forestry Commission, and other professionals. Ultimately, the project will help families sustainably manage their forestland as an asset that builds generational wealth.
SFI is committed to identifying ways to support engaging African American forest owners in the U.S. South, including through land retention. SFI, as an organization that stands for future forests, believes we can collaborate to help keep forests as forests and ensure that they are responsibly managed to provide conservation values as well as financial benefits to the African Americans who own these forestlands.
How the Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
This project leverages the engagement of the Georgia SFI Implementation Committee, the Georgia Forestry Commission, the University of Georgia, Fort Valley Cooperative Extension and Clemson University. Together, they work with project participants on best forest management practices that align with SFI standards.
The Georgia Property Law Center provides extensive services to underserved rural communities and maintains an intentional focus on multiple generational and minority landowners. These are priorities shared with SFI. Since being established 2015, the Center, solely or in collaboration with nonprofit and governmental partners, has conducted 167 community outreach programs, trainings, and stakeholder meetings in 35 counties and trained approximately 5,580 individuals throughout Georgia to increase understanding of heirs’ property. The Center has completed 67 estate plans for clients. The Center, in collaboration with private attorneys and pro bono title companies, has reviewed titles for 157 tracts of land collectively valued at over $10 million.
Partners
This partnership includes lawyers, researchers, conservationists, government, and SFI Program Participants.
- Project lead: Georgia Heirs Property Law Center
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Georgia SFI Implementation Committee
- Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
- Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council
- Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension Program
- Georgia Forestry Commission
Related Information
- Helping Georgia Forestry Professionals Support Underserved Communities
- A Tree, Is A Tree, Is A Tree 101.
- The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities received a 2014 SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant to support African American forestland owners.
- The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities supports related work in multiple landscapes, including Southside Virginia.
About the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center
Recognizing the need for prevention, education, and remediation of heirs’ property led to the creation of the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, Inc. The Center has served Georgia’s heirs’ property owners, nonprofits, and municipalities since 2015. The Center is a not-for-profit law firm dedicated to increasing generational wealth, social justice, and community stability by securing and preserving property rights of low- and moderate‑income Georgians. The Center’s services include title clearing, will creation, estate planning, and connecting clients with programs to increase the value of their land and homes. Staff travel throughout the state from offices in Atlanta, Athens, and Macon.
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THE GREENING OF DETRIOT
Citizen Forester Program
Project Overview
Over the past several decades Detroit has lost tens of millions of trees due to resource constraints, urban expansion, Dutch Elm Disease and Emerald Ash Borer. As part of a comprehensive urban forest restoration effort SFI Inc. will provide $5,000 to support the Greening of Detroit’s 2014 Citizen Forester Program to recruit and train 50 new volunteer Citizen Foresters. The training program will inform participants about the SFI program and the importance of sustainable forest management and feature SFI-labeled products. The Citizen Foresters will then take on a leadership role in the subsequent tree plantings throughout Detroit as part of Greening of Detroit’s holistic approach to restore tree cover in a strategic manner providing a wide range of benefits to residents.
Supporting the SFI Standard
The Greening of Detroit’s Citizen Forester program supports the SFI program goals by strengthening sustainable forests, improving the sustainability of communities and addressing climate change. This grant directly addresses Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry and components of the SFI standard relating to aesthetics and recreation, and training and education.
Project Partners
The Greening of Detroit will partner with the Michigan SFI Implementation Committee.
Project Resources
About Greening of Detroit
The Greening of Detroit is a well-established, nonprofit resource agency that partners with federal, state and local agencies, corporations and foundations to assist neighborhood groups, churches and schools in their efforts to improve the ecosystem in Detroit through tree planting projects, environmental education, urban agriculture, open space reclamation, vacant land management, and workforce development programs.
Transforming this city from a post-industrial urban center into a healthier, safer and greener environment will take commitment and a bold new way of thinking. We are ready for that challenge.
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HARDWOOD FORESTRY FUND
Planting Hardwood Seedlings on Idle Agricultural Land in Devil’s Lake State Park, WI
Project Overview
The Hardwood Forestry Fund received $4,000 in 2011 to create opportunities for local residents to gain hands-on forest management experience while learning about the benefits of sustainable forestry through planting hardwood seedlings on idle agricultural land in Wisconsin’s Devil’s Lake State Park.
The 8.5-acre project involved planting 23,000 seedlings in order to restore hardwood forest cover in the park. Selected tree species were carefully matched to the site, including northern red oak, white oak, black walnut and cherry. As the plantings advance, they will close gaps in canopy coverage, creating habitat for species that require dense forest conditions to survive. Eventually these trees will reach maturity providing a sustainable wood source within the community.
Students from Youth Environmental Projects of Sauk County and their parents will monitor seedling success, interplant as needed, and prune the trees. This partnership introduces youth to the principles of sustainable forestry, allows them to have hands-on interaction and shows them the impact sustainable forestry has on forest-reliant communities.
Supporting the SFI Standard
This project supports SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 6: Protection of Special Sites; Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry, and Objective 18: Public Land Management Responsibilities. It also addresses multiple components of standard objectives related to sustainable forestry, forest productivity and health, protection of biological diversity, aesthetics and recreation, and training and education.
Project Partners
In addition to the Hardwood Forestry Fund, other partners included the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Division of Forestry; WDNR Bureau of Parks & Recreation; WDNR State Nurseries Program; Sauk County Land Conservation Department and Youth Environmental Projects of Sauk County.
News
SFI Funds Community-based Education and Green Building Projects
Press Release – June 20, 2011
Project Resources
About Hardwood Forestry Fund
The Hardwood Forestry Fund is a 501(c)(3) educational organization dedicated to establishing sustainable hardwood forests. Through tree planting and implementation of forest management techniques on public land, the Hardwood Forestry Fund has promoted hardwood timber growth, management, environmental education, and wise use of renewable forest resources since 1990. Trees planted by the Hardwood Forestry Fund require a management plan that ensures they will be cared for to provide quality natural resources for future generations. Educational and demonstration forests help teach students and private landowners how to establish and maintain hardwood forests.
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IDAHO FOREST FOUNDATION
Sustainable Forestry Teacher Tour 2013
Project Overview
Through the Sustainable Forestry Tour, educators are exposed to the Project Learning Tree (PLT) curriculum and the social, economic, and ecological aspects of sustainable forestry. They are immersed in sustainable forestry issues with valuable information and concepts they can take back to their classrooms. During the three-day program educators visit private, state, and federal forests; tour sawmills and active harvesting operations; and learn about forests directly from natural resource professionals.
Supporting the SFI Standard
The project will support SFI 2010-2014 Standard Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry, including Performance Measure 17.2 requiring that program participants support and promote public outreach, education and involvement related to sustainable forestry management.
Project Partners
In addition to the Idaho Forest Foundation, partners include the Idaho SFI Implementation Committee.
About Idaho Community Foundation
The Idaho Forest Foundation supports forest education and outreach projects that have a lasting impact in Idaho. Foundation funds will help reach more people and provide more forest education programs throughout the state.
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INSIDE EDUCATION SOCIETY OF ALBERTA
Alberta School Children See Forest Management In Action
Student Forestry Field Trips
Why this project matters
The Inside Education Society of Alberta will deliver forestry education field trips to more than 3,500 Alberta students, teachers and parents at five field sites across Alberta. These engaging, interactive day trips will connect young people to the natural world and will connect them in a meaningful way to sustainable forest management. This program will provide kids in grades 4-12 with real-world insight into sustainable forest management in Alberta. The program will affect urban and rural students and students from Indigenous communities. For many students, this will be their first opportunity to visit a working forest.
The Student Forestry Field Trips project, proposed by Inside Education, is a valuable way to get kids in the forest, learning about sustainable forest management first hand. They will learn about a variety of sustainable forest management themes — including various forestry cutblocks and regeneration sites, and wetland and wildlife habitat conservation.
Why is SFI involved?
One of SFI’s priorities is to connect youth to forests through education. We look for ways to instill a lifelong appreciation for the value forests represent for biodiversity, the wider environment, sustainable communities, responsibly sourced forest products and for our shared quality of life. The educational focus of this project also supports SFI’s focus on encouraging the next generation of future forest leaders.
SFI Program Participants will provide demonstrations of forest management activities, in addition to offering mill tours for the students and teachers. SFI will work with Inside Education and SFI Program Participants Millar Western and West Fraser to feature aspects of the SFI Program throughout the tours, from best management practices at the Des Crossley Demonstration Forest and active harvesting and reforestation activities on the Huestis Demonstration Forest. SFI will also provide teachers with Project Learning Tree curriculum.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
Inside Education works closely with partner organizations to develop and deliver field trips. They have formalized partnerships with forestry companies local to the communities in which they operate, including SFI Program Participants Millar Western Forest Products and West Fraser, dba Sundre Forest Products. The project also involves collaboration with the Government of Alberta for program site maintenance, as each of the sites exists on Alberta Government crown land. There are further partnership opportunities in forestry careers education with the Alberta Forest Products Association and its Work Wild program. Inside Education also collaborates with CAREERS the Next Generation as part of the Alberta Forestry Futures Partnership.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, forestry professionals, SFI Program Participants and government officials.
- Project lead: Inside Education Society of Alberta
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Millar Western Forest Products (SFI Program Participant)
- West Fraser, dba Sundre Forest Products (SFI Program Participant)
- Alberta Forest Products Association
- Alberta Environment and Parks
Related information
- SFI helps students and teachers get firsthand experience in the boreal forest through the Forestry Connects Program.
- Project Learning Tree, an SFI program, is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
- SFI connects youth to forests through education (project highlights).
About the Inside Education Society of Alberta
This Alberta charity brings together people and organizations with a wide variety of views on environmental issues to work together with education as the starting point. The Inside Education Society of Alberta helps teachers and students better understand the science, technology and issues related to our environment and natural resources. Each year staff and volunteers visit over 20,000 students, work directly with more than 1,500 teachers and travel thousands of kilometres to communities across Alberta working towards a vision of engaged stewards of the environment and natural resources.
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INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Online Forest Management Training Tool Helps Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species in British Columbia
Why this project matters
Invasive species are plants, animals or other organisms not native to an area whose introduction and spread harms native species and the economy. Most invasive species are unintentionally introduced by humans into places outside their native habitat. A lack of natural predators and diseases mean invasives can often reproduce, spread and survive better than native species. With few limits on their populations they can easily take over sensitive ecosystems — permanently upsetting the balance of plant, insect, bird and animal life.
This project, led by the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia, takes a creative approach to online invasives training that will engage forest professionals in preventing the spread of invasives in BC and beyond. The outcome will be healthier forests resulting from educated forest practitioners, who have the knowledge and tools to prevent the spread of invasives.
Why is SFI involved?
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity on the planet. While this project falls into the community grant category, there are many overlaps with the conservation stream because of the effect of invasive species on biodiversity. The online workshops delivered through this project will build awareness of invasive exotic plants and animals, prevent new introductions, and potentially avoid new occurrences in almost 4 million hectares of forest in BC alone. The resources developed and produced through this project will describe and encourage forest practices that reduce the abundance of invasive exotic plants and animals.
This online invasive species training program has the potential to significantly impact forests in Canada, and across North America, by preventing the spread of invasive species, protecting forest biodiversity and helping SFI partners to meet the performance measures in the SFI Standards. This project will contribute to the standardization of invasive species training across jurisdictional boundaries. The program will broaden the expertise of SFI Program Participants on invasive species prevention and management. SFI Program Participants and the Western Canada SFI Implementation Committee will pilot test the online training, providing feedback to improve the quality and relevance of the online training program.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
This project will train and educate current and future practitioners who are engaged in action affecting the future of our forests through an exciting and relevant online training platform. Once implemented, project leaders hope to connect with SFI Implementation Committees across Canada and the United States for broader deployment. This project aims to engage forest practitioners in the prevention and management of invasive species through collaboration with current training programs.
Additionally, SFI will leverage this project through all active social media channels. SFI will also consider holding a workshop at the SFI Annual Conference for pilot testing the program with a broader audience from across the SFI Implementation Committees network to encourage maximum uptake by forestry professionals.
Partners
This partnership includes community volunteers, conservationists, researchers and SFI Program Participants.
- Project lead: Invasive Species Council of British Columbia
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Western Canada SFI Implementation Committee
- Interfor Corporation (SFI Program Participant)
- BC Timber Sales (SFI Program Participant)
- TimberWest Corporation (SFI Program Participant)
Related information
The Nature Trust of British Columbia: Conservation of Biological Diversity in British Columbia’s Interior Forests through Invasive Plant Management
Fighting Invasive Plants to Conserve Biological Diversity in BC’s Interior Forests (media release).
SFI Conservation Grant Helps The Nature Trust of BC Protect Unique Ecosystems (media release).
About the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia
The Invasive Species Council of British Columbia is a registered charity and non-profit society that is making a difference in the lives of all British Columbians. The council is a dynamic action-oriented organization, helping to coordinate and unite a wide variety of concerned stakeholders in the struggle against invasive species in BC and spearheading behavioral change in gardeners, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, Indigenous people and resource industry and horticultural professionals.
Invasive Species and Forestry: Tools and Resources for Preventing the Spread in B.C.
An Online Training Course for Forestry Practitioners
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LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATION
Maine Students Get Up Close and Personal with Forests and Critters
Maine Students Get Up Close and Personal with Forests and Critters
Why this project matters
Maine is more heavily forested than any other state. Despite this, the public, business owners, policymakers, and students have a minimal understanding of forest ecosystems and best management practices relating to water quality and other important environmental measures.
The Sustainable Forests Project will expand Lakes Environmental Association offerings, especially to students, and will greatly enhance field trip and outdoor learning opportunities. Students from Stevens Brook Elementary School in Bridgton can walk to the Interpretive Forest Trail at the Science Center, and for others, it is a short bus ride. This project will also support underserved urban communities in the Bridgton area. Students will be able to learn about tree identification, forest ecosystems, and forest practices while monitoring study plots.
Why is SFI involved?
Forestry is the primary land use in lake watersheds. Sustainable forestry, as practiced by SFI Program Participants, will help conserve Maine’s lakes. The Lakes Environmental Association promotes understanding of sustainable forestry and educates future practitioners, landowners, students, decision makers, and professionals through educational resources at three preserves, school curricula, and workshops.
One of SFI’s priorities is to connect youth to forests through education. We look for ways to instill a lifelong appreciation for the value forests represent for biodiversity, the wider environment, sustainable communities, responsibly sourced forest products and for our shared quality of life. The educational focus of this project also supports SFI’s focus on encouraging the next generation of future forest leaders.
How the project builds SFI community engagement
This project has strong involvement of key SFI partners and builds on existing relationships and work. Through the project, the Lakes Environmental Association will create centers with infrastructure to support educational programs for students and schools, land managers and landowners. The Maine chapter of Project Learning Tree, an award-winning environmental education program of SFI, will be closely involved in developing the project’s educational programming.
Working with the Maine Forest Products Council, the Maine Forest Service, the Maine SFI Implementation Committee, and SFI Program Participant Hancock Lumber Company, a series of workshops will be developed to address such issues as harvesting aesthetics, stream crossings, water quality issues, managing forestry for wildlife, best management practices, and sustainable forestry issues and techniques.
Partners
This partnership includes educators, environmentalists, volunteers, government officials and SFI Program Participants.
- Project lead: Lakes Environmental Association
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- Project Learning Tree — Maine
- Maine Forest Service
- Maine Forest Products Council
- Maine SFI Implementation Committee
- Portland Water District
Related information
- Project Learning Tree, an SFI program, is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
- Following an educator forestry tour, part of PLT’s Summer Forestry Institutes for Teachers, high school teacher Susan Linscott in Maine has found ways to engage her students in studying real‑world issues in their community.
- SFI is helping Maine’s family forest owners keep forests as forests — A Guide to Harvesting Family Woodlands.
About the Lakes Environmental Association
The Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) is dedicated to protecting the waters and watersheds of Western Maine. Since 1970, LEA has been the voice of lake protection in the Lakes Region. Maine might not have a milfoil program today if LEA hadn’t fought so hard in the state legislature. When the federal government proposed a nuclear waste dump near Sebago Lake, LEA played a big part in the battle to defeat it. And right now, LEA is trying hard to increase enforcement of Maine’s environmental protection laws, while at the same time helping property owners understand how and why lake protection is vital.
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LESSER SLAVE FOREST EDUCATION SOCIETY
Boreal Forest Field Experiences for Rural and Indigenous Youth
Lesser Slave Forest Education Society Field experiences with Indigenous Elders, forestry professionals, and educators to expand student knowledge of sustainable forest management
Why this Project Matters
This project will deliver high-quality, hands-on forestry education field experiences to over 2,000 students, parents and teachers in the Lesser Slave Lake region in Northern Alberta. Students will also learn about forestry career options, which have the potential to encourage youth to remain in their communities. Programs include curriculum-based tours, hikes and camps. Educators, professionals and Indigenous Elders will provide teachings that expand participants’ knowledge of sustainable forest management in the boreal forest.
The project will foster environmental literacy by demonstrating how forest companies sustainably manage the forest landscape. It will encourage students to examine multiple perspectives including local Indigenous knowledge. This project will demonstrate how to bring together traditional ecological knowledge and forestry skills to ensure that all values are included in sustainable forest management.
How the Project Promotes Environmental Education and Respect for Traditional Knowledge
This project provides students with hands-on learning opportunities in the forest. During National Forest Week tours, educators will work with students to take measurements in the forest, using diameter tapes, clinometers, measuring tapes, tree identification guides, volume tables and increment borers to calculate the age and volume of wood in specifically marked trees. These activities provide real world uses for math and help develop numeracy and scientific literacy. Teachings from Indigenous Elders will also provide students with invaluable information about traditional land use and help them to better understand how Indigenous knowledge and values can be respected within sustainable forest management.
SFI’s Contribution
SFI Community Grants are supporting this project. The educational tours and teachings will be free for students to ensure equal access for all. SFI-certified forest management companies and forestry professionals will teach students about sustainable forest management and link these lessons to forestry careers.
How this Project Builds SFI Community Engagement
This project will use forest-based education to engage with and teach future forest leaders from local communities.. In 2018, the Lesser Slave Forest Education Society began to develop relationships with local Indigenous groups, specifically with Swan River First Nations and Sawridge First Nations. The education society’s goal is to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and teachings into its National Forest Week tours, ecology hikes and summer day camp programming in 2020. The High Prairie school division has offered to support these efforts by sharing their extensive contacts with all local First Nations. They have also offered to provide honorariums to Elders for any educational programming that High Prairie School Division students take part in to ensure that Indigenous perspectives, values and traditional knowledge are taught alongside other important educational concepts.
Partners
This partnership includes conservationists, educators, Indigenous Elders, and SFI certified organizations.
- Project lead: Lesser Slave Forest Education Society
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
- West Fraser (SFI-certified organization)
- Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory
- Vanderwell Contractors (1971) Ltd. (SFI-certified organization)
- Tolko Industries (SFI-certified organization)
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
Related Information
SFI Promotes Indigenous Rights, Respect and Engagement
Training Yakima Nation Tribal Educators in Project Learning Tree Lessons
Incorporating Tribal Values in Minnesota Project Learning Tree Lessons
Center for Native Peoples and the Environment: Exploring Forest Sustainability with Indigenous Youth
Lesser Slave Forest Education Society
The Society is committed to supporting and funding forest-focused environmental education and is led by a dedicated group of volunteer representatives from industry, schools and government who share a common goal of environmental stewardship. The Lesser Slave Forest Education Society coordinates forestry related educational and career initiatives while aiming at youth involvement. It creates a greater public awareness of the importance and of the many dimensions of our forests in the Lesser Slave Lake Region. Providing bias-balanced information to the public and youth on forestry related matters is another key activity. Learn more.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grant-lesser-slave-forest-education-society/
LAUDERDALE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
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