By Kathy Abusow
This year’s International Day of Forests is the perfect moment to recognize that sustainable forestry isn’t just a North American priority—it’s a global one. Forests provide clean air and water, store carbon, support biodiversity, and sustain economies. At the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), we believe that sustainable forests are critical to our collective future. In a time of growing uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to come together, support one another, and collaborate on shared priorities—and this spirit of partnership is at the heart of what we do at SFI.
The year 2025 welcomes SFI’s 30th anniversary and an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and the progress that lies ahead. From our roots in responsible forest management to our expanded branches focused on conservation, education, and community engagement, our focus has always been on advancing sustainability through practical solutions demonstrated by progress on the ground. We’ve grown into an organization that connects landowners, businesses, conservationists, educators, and Indigenous partners—all united by a shared commitment to forest-focused collaboration. Together, we are creating a world that values and benefits from sustainably managed forests, today and for generations to come.
Promoting Responsible Forestry and Sourcing
SFI standards help ensure forests are managed sustainably, supporting the demand for responsibly sourced wood while prioritizing wildlife conservation, water quality, and respecting Indigenous rights and relationships. The SFI footprint includes 370 million acres/150 million hectares of forest certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard, promoting practices that protect biodiversity and keep North American forests productive and resilient. Additionally, with the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard, the world’s first forest standard for communities, SFI is helping cities embrace nature-based solutions for healthier communities. Nearly 80% of SFI-certified organizations have seen steady or growing demand for certified products, showing that sustainability matters to both businesses and consumers.
Providing Nature-Based Solutions
Understanding forest ecosystems starts with strong conservation research. SFI is the only forestry standard that has a research requirement, and our 30th anniversary marks $2.1 billion in investments to support credible, science-based solutions to environmental challenges. From carbon sequestration to protecting species at risk and strengthening fire resiliency, conservation efforts must ensure that sustainable forestry continues to benefit both people and the planet. By integrating scientific research into our certification programs, we’re able to help forestry professionals align their work with broader environmental goals.
Creating Positive Change with Communities
Sustainably managed forests contribute to economic opportunities, cultural preservation, and community well-being. Certified forest land is a public good, with 98% of SFI-certified forests open to recreation, supporting the deep connections Indigenous and local communities have with the land. By prioritizing sustainably sourced materials and strengthening partnerships, we are helping to shape more resilient and livable communities for generations to come. Additionally, Indigenous Peoples have stewarded the land since time immemorial. As we look to the future, we will continue to affirm that Indigenous Peoples are essential partners in any forest-focused collaboration and that their full participation will better enable us to collectively advance forest sustainability.
SFI-certified organizations are advancing this commitment through meaningful action. Since 2022, over 43,000 peoplewithin SFI-certified organizations have received training to recognize and respect Indigenous rights as required by the SFI Forest Management Standard. This training helps ensure that Indigenous values, knowledge, and stewardship practices are recognized in forest management decisions. PLT Canada’s A Guide to Green Jobs in Canada: Voices of Indigenous Professionals further supports this work by sharing firsthand perspectives from Indigenous leaders in forestry and conservation, helping to foster greater understanding and collaboration. SFI is also excited to collaborate with the Yakama Nation and the Intertribal Timber Council on a U.S. forestry guide with profiles of Tribal representatives.
Fostering a Lifetime of Learning
A sustainable future relies on the next generation of leaders who understand the value of forests. SFI’s education initiatives, including Project Learning Tree (PLT) and PLT Canada, provide resources, mentorship, and career development opportunities that connect young people to forestry-related professions. By inspiring future leaders—whether urban foresters, ecologists, or firefighters—we open doors to the many opportunities in sustainable forest management.
Looking ahead, we’re not just celebrating past shared achievements—we’re shaping the future. The 2025 SFI Annual Conference will be a defining moment to celebrate our progress and set the course for the future of sustainable forestry. As we celebrate this milestone, we also recognize that the challenges facing our forests—and the opportunities to address them—have never been greater. With the theme of « Innovating for Forests and Communities, » the conference will showcase how we can build on our legacy and continue to expand the impact of sustainable forestry.
As we mark 30 years of progress, I invite you to celebrate with us and register for the 2025 SFI Annual Conference to continue the conversation about the future of forests in Minneapolis this May. The strength of SFI has always been its people—our partners, our supporters, and everyone who believes in the power of forests to create a better world. Together, we’ll ensure that the next 30 years bring even greater progress for our forests, our communities, and our planet.
