TUESDAY, MAY 5

AFTERNOON

2:00 – 3:15 Pm  |   OPENING SESSION

Join us for a traditional welcome and opening remarks to kick off the 2026 SFI Annual Conference.

3:15 – 3:45 pm  |   BREAK

3:45 – 4:00 pm  |   PRESENTATION OF PRESIDENT’S AWARD

4:00 – 5:00 pm  |  LEVERAGING SFI CERTIFICATION FOR GLOBAL REPORTING FRAMEWORKS

Global sustainability reporting frameworks aim to provide a common set of criteria for brands, investors, and consumers to demonstrate sustainability commitments and communicate climate, nature, and biodiversity assurances. Learn about SFI’s new interactive online Sustainability Framework Crosswalk Tool to assess and interpret how the SFI Standards align with leading sustainability reporting frameworks, including the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the European Union Taxonomy (EU Taxonomy). Hear from a research expert about reporting on nature-related risks and opportunities, and from SFI certified organizations on how the SFI standards deliver rigorous requirements that provide the assurances sought in these frameworks.

EVENING

5:00 – 7:00 pm  |  PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6

MORNING

7:00 – 8:00 am  |  5 K FUN RUN/WALK

8:00 – 9:00 am  |  BREAKFAST

9:00 – 9:15 am  |  DAY TWO OPENING REMARKS

9:15 – 10:15 am  |  CHALLENGING TIMES AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN FOREST SECTOR MARKETS

10:15 – 10:45 am  |  BREAK

10:45 – 12:00 pm  |  SUSTAINING MARKET DEMAND: THE ROLE OF SFI CERTIFICATION FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE PRODUCTS

AFTERNOON

12:00 – 1:15 pm  |  LUNCH

Tables will be reserved for Women’s Forest Congress/Women In Wood meet up.

1:15 – 2:00 pm  |  INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP IN FORESTRY

SFI is working to increase Indigenous participation in forest certification and works with many partners to elevate their stories. Tune in to watch SFI’s latest Indigenous spotlight and hear from SFI certified Indigenous organizations on their sustainability leadership.

1. Indigenous Spotlight: Tsuut’ina Nation
2. Indigenous Forest Leadership Award
3. Indigenous Leadership in Forestry

2:00 – 2:15 pm  |  PRESENTATION OF SIC AWARD

2:15 – 2:45 pm  |  BREAK

2:45 – 3:45 PM   |   FROM DATA TO DECISIONS: SPATIAL TOOLS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT

As new Earth observation technologies generate unprecedented insights, SFI and partners are focused on navigating that data in support of sustainable forest management and climate-smart outcomes on the ground. Join leading North American data collaboratives and tool providers to see how cutting-edge analytics are being integrated into real-world forestry operations—improving planning, strengthening resilience, and helping practitioners make smarter, faster decisions in a rapidly changing world.

3:45 – 4:00 PM   |   FROM FORESTS TO FRONT YARDS: IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTS THROUGH SFI

In this short session, conference attendees will learn about SFI’s commitment to elevating sustainably managed forests where people live, work, and play. Hear a brief update on the implementation of the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard and how this work extends sustainable forest management into urban and community settings. The session will set the stage for Thursday’s full-day program focused on goals and resources that support health, well-being, and resilience in communities of all sizes.

4:30 – 6:00 PM   |   DOWNTOWN MONTRÉAL URBAN FORESTRY TOUR

Explore the conference host city through the lens of managing trees and green spaces for long-term community benefit. Attendees will learn about the social and political context that shaped the development of Canada’s second-largest city. As an island city nestled between river and mountain, Montreal’s history reflects a longstanding connection between plants, place, and people. Walking through the streets will reveal how past decisions continue to influence contemporary urban forestry practices, while speakers share insights into Montreal’s vision for a resilient and biodiverse urban forest.

6:00 – 9:00 pm  |  OFFSITE RECEPTION

THURSDAY, MAY 7

MORNING

8:00 – 9:00 am  |  BREAKFAST

9:00 – 11:55 am  |  SFI CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY: FROM SCIENCE TO PRACTICE

A pair of sessions will dive into recent developments and upcoming projects within the SFI Climate Smart Forestry (CSF) Initiative, highlighting its objectives to advance forest-focused climate solutions through collaboration, research, and on-the-ground action.

9:00 – 10:00 am  |  FROM RESEARCH TO RESULTS: SCALING SFI CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY ACROSS CERTIFIED LANDS

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative Climate Smart Forestry (CSF) Initiative brings leading researchers and practitioners together to translate cutting-edge climate science into practical, forest-focused solutions through collaboration, vulnerability assessments, and on-the-ground action. Join experts from New England Forestry Foundation, McMaster University, and Université Laval for insights on advancing climate resilience across certified forests.

10:00 – 10:15 am  |  PRESENTATION OF CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP AWARD

10:15 – 10:45 am  |  BREAK

10:45 – 11:55 am  |  SFI CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY ON THE GROUND

This second session will feature partners leading Climate Smart Forestry practices, including members of SFI’s CSF Advisory Committee and CSF grantees. These speakers will share real-world insights, innovative approaches, and early outcomes from projects that are strengthening forest resilience, supporting sustainable forest management, and delivering measurable climate benefits across diverse landscapes.

11:55 – 12:00 pm  |  CLOSING REMARKS

12:00 – 1:00 pm  |  CLOSING LUNCH

AFTERNOON — CONCURRENT OPTIONS

1:00 – 4:00 pm  |  SIC SESSION AND REGIONAL BREAKOUTS

Open to SIC members and partners. SFI responds to local needs through SFI Implementation Committees (SICs) at the state, provincial, and regional levels. The SIC General Session offers a forum for SIC members to share ideas and best practices about community outreach through social media, logger training, and partnering with local businesses and community leaders.

1:00 – 3:30 pm  |  AUDITORS FORUM

Open to auditors only.

URBAN FORESTRY DAY

Click here to view the schedule