Advancing credible and effective solutions to environmental challenges through the SFI standards and leadership initiatives.

CONSERVATION

The SFI Conservation Pillar advances conservation objectives in our standards across forests in the United States and Canada through targeted research, leadership of critical initiatives, and partnerships that advance multiple conservation efforts.

Sustainable forest management is foundational to addressing climate change, fire risk, species and ecosystem loss, and water quality. Our work connects the SFI standards in supporting nature-based solutions and conservation outcomes across the SFI footprint, in line with the SFI 2025-2030 Strategic Direction. SFI supports and advances forest management and fiber sourcing practices that deliver positive outcomes for climate, fire resilience, biodiversity, and water.

Wildfires, water security, and biodiversity loss are increasingly recognized as significant risks to financial and economic systems. As these threats to forests gain priority, they are being addressed in government policies and investment strategies. Well-managed forests provide nature-based solutions to these challenges while delivering conservation benefits. However, there is growing scrutiny of conservation claims and rising expectations for transparency in measuring, monitoring, and reporting trends.

SFI is advancing initiatives to identify key data, metrics, tools, and best practices that support conservation outcomes while promoting awareness of SFI standards as effective nature-based solutions with:

Increased use of data, research, and reporting that quantifies, communicates, and expands the delivery of nature-based solutions by SFI-certified organizations and
Increased uptake of best management practices for climate, fire resiliency, biodiversity, water, and Indigenous rights recognition, in collaboration with SFI-certified organizations, SFI Implementation Committees, and partners.

Through expanded use of credible data, metrics, research, and reporting, and through partner collaborations that deliver data and tools to improve management practices, SFI contributes to long-term forest health and resiliency through climate adaptation and mitigation, fire resilience, water benefits, and species and ecosystem conservation.

Our work contributes to:

Greater forest health and contributions to climate change adaptation and mitigation
Increased fire resilience for forests and communities
Maintained delivery of water benefits for nature and people
Increased species and ecosystem conservation

We elevate nature-based solutions and conservation benefits across the SFI footprint. Sign up to learn more about our conservation programs and research-based resources increasing understanding of how SFI-certification can be used as nature-based solutions to help mitigate climate change and fire, enhance biodiversity, and ensure water conservation.

FOCUSED CONSERVATION EFFORTS THOUGH FOUR FOCAL AREAS

SUPPORTING CORE NEEDS

SFI-certified organizations must demonstrate they meet the SFI standards across an ecologically diverse North American landscape. The SFI Conservation Pillar is committed to supporting the core needs of SFI-certified organizations to meet the conservation-related objectives of the SFI standards.

We do this through the development of tools and guidance, increased availability of training and materials, and continued peer engagement to understand common needs and opportunities for collaboration.

CALCULATING CONSERVATION VALUE

The SFI standards are a voluntary tool to promote conservation benefits in managed forest landscapes. The SFI Conservation Pillar collaborates in research and analysis to demonstrate the conservation values from certified sustainable forest management and responsible fiber sourcing.

We support a diverse portfolio of research projects and partner engagement through the SFI Conservation grant program as well as through direct partnership and collaboration. We also work to address how the SFI Standards and certified organizations match global environmental metrics and assessments, so we are collectively raising the bar for conservation.

SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS

The SFI Conservation Pillar creates conservation knowledge products that stem from SFI projects, programs, and collaborations in formats that reach multiple types of audiences, including in-person and virtual events (including the SFI Conservation Impact Workshop), as well as various thematic guides to provide insights, tools, and practices to meet SFI standard requirements(e.g. Climate Smart Forestry guidance for SFI-certified organizations).

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

A key objective built into the SFI standards, and core to SFI, is to promote the continual improvement of practices in sustainable forestry and fiber sourcing. To support this, the SFI Conservation Pillar is advancing focal topics pressing for present and future health of forests by tracking scientific literature and engaging with the research community.

We work closely with our internal and external networks to elevate science-based management practices and actively engage on sustainability topics with various audiences and organizations, both nationally and internationally. We also serve as experts and contribute to events and dialogues that shape the future of sustainable forestry.