Conference speakers and attendees had a lot to say about SFI’s diverse work.
“While gaining market share may be a side benefit of certifying, it was not what motivated the forestry division to pursue certification. It is about leadership in sustainability!”
LISA ALLEN
State Forester, Missouri Department of Conservation
“At SFI we choose the path we do because we know how vital it is, how important it is. We are in the business of building sustainable communities…and building a better future for us all ”
MARK RODGERS
President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada and Past SFI Board Chair
“NatureServe will be expanding its pilot projects to gather more data to quantify and communicate the positive conservation impacts of forest holdings certified to SFI.”
HEALY HAMILTON
Chief Scientist, NatureServe
“Project Learning Tree is recognized for the quality, commitment, and extent of its network of national and state partners, as well as sponsoring organizations. I deeply value the partnership my agency holds with PLT as it enables us to contribute to meaningful and substantive accomplishments in education while broadening our outreach to diverse audiences.”
TINELLE BUSTAM
Acting Director, Conservation Education, USDA Forest Service
“Robust science, co-produced with on-the-ground operators, gives us the opportunity to contribute to meaningful conservation gains. SFI grants help support that.”
FIONA SCHMIEGELOW
Professor, Northern Environmental and Conservation Science, University of Alberta
“Obtaining certification to SFI is a good long-term decision for the benefit of our community and the future generations that will be managing the forests in the years to come.”
NICOLE REMPEL
Chief of the K’Ómoks First Nation in British Columbia
“The SFI Community Engagement Fund has supported many of our new programs, like the Women Owning Woodlands (WOW) Network. This gives us the opportunity both to prepare women for active roles in managing family forests and inspire women to engage in sustainable forest management practices.”
EMILY OAKMAN
South Carolina Forestry Association Director of Landowner Outreach, Education and Programs
“Support from SFI matters because it’s helping us create opportunities for youth from West Coast communities to engage in local restoration efforts and learn about ecology and conservation.”
TOM BALFOUR
Project Manager, Central Westcoast Forest Society
“Fifteen years ago, my life changed. It happened when I met Pat Maloney, the Project Learning Tree State Coordinator in Maine. Throughout the years, she has worked to connect me to other teachers in Maine who have been able to accomplish things in their classrooms that I had only dreamed possible.”
OLIVIA GRISET
Former High School Teacher and now the Executive Director, Maine Environmental Education Association
“The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is partnering with SFI to provide opportunities for youth to get outside and enjoy nature by building a nest box for native birds and report nesting activity for scientists to use. This project is engaging youth in citizen science and introducing them to STEM careers.”
ROBYN BAILEY
NestWatch Project Leader, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
“SFI is such a diverse group of people who are really committed to sustainable forestry. The enthusiasm, the commitment is really astounding.”
VICKI CHRISTIANSEN
Former Chief, U.S. Forest Service
“Collaborating with SFI offers unmatched scale in terms of major forest regions and forest types. We also get an opportunity to partner with a wide range of SFI Program Participants in grassroots, practical ways. Our partnership is helping declining birds such as the Prairie Warbler to find new habitat on managed forestland.”
MIKE PARR
President, American Bird Conservancy
“We are one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of office and school paper products. Our business consists of retailers – from big-box, to office superstores, drugstores, any mass market dollar stores. Sustainability is incredibly important to them and their customers. When consumers see an SFI label, there is an instant level of comfort that they are buying from a well-managed forest.”
DEE ANDREWS
Director of Legal, Environmental and Corporate Affairs, Norcom Inc.
“I coach the 4-H forestry team. I used the PLT curriculum a lot. The older members of the team are now teaching forestry on their own and using many of the activities for short sessions! That’s pretty cool!”
EMILY EUBANKS
Youth Group Leader, Florida
