SFI CONSERVATION IMPACT

Identifying conservation outcomes, key learnings, and opportunities for improvement on SFI-certified lands is a critical component of SFI and the work of the SFI Conservation Pillar. The pillar leads a conservation impact strategy, which advances conservation impact measurement and assessment with a particular focus on the SFI Forest Management and Fiber Sourcing Standard.

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.