Over 500 people joined us for the SFI/PEFC Forest + People + Nature positive conference. This year’s theme highlighted the positive ways in which sustainable forest management can be positive for people, forests, and nature while evolving to address expectations of the workforce, community, government, customer, and conservation priorities.
EXPLORE THE 2023 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
SFI AND PEFC TOGETHER
The SFI and PEFC families brought a diversity of perspectives, experiences, and geographies to the discussions.
We were pleased to host a large global presence with our PEFC family, representing about 100 PEFC National members, International Stakeholders, and Board members from 40 countries worldwide. The SFI and PEFC Boards held a joint board meeting to discuss global priorities.
STANDARDS, SUPPLY CHAINS AND ESG
Mike Doss, President and CEO,Graphic Packaging International Inc., and Chair, SFI Board of Directors, and Angela Davis, President, Campbell Global, shared the stage to discuss how SFI and PEFC standards can be leveraged with brands, investors, and consumers to demonstrate critical ESG and sustainability assurances.
STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
There were over 40 students and young professionals sponsored to participate in the conference, representing our biggest youth delegation yet. Youth had opportunities to navigate their early careers, network with professionals, and engage in important discussions.
We had more than 200 students and young professionals apply, so please consider sponsoring next year in Atlanta, June 4-6, 2024!
SFI’S NEW URBAN AND COMMUNITY FOREST SUSTAINABILITY STANDARD
The SFI Board approved the first-of-its-kind SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard.
The new standard will contribute to the resiliency and sustainability of our communities, large and small, using trees and forests as natural solutions to improve community and human health and address the challenge of climate change. Learn more about the Standard and the partners who made it happen!
LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES
We heard from numerous elected government representatives sharing inspirational remarks regarding the importance of collaboration and partnerships, challenging participants to generate sustainability solutions for their own communities.
Pictured left to right: Regional Chief Terry Teegee, British Columbia Assembly of First Nations; Minister Bruce Ralston, B.C. Ministry of Forests; Cassidy Caron, President, Métis National Council; Michael Berger, Secretary General/CEO, PEFC International.
INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES
We were deeply honoured that so many Indigenous leaders from across North America took the time to join us.
The conference was an opportunity to deepen our existing relationships, explore new opportunities for working together to advance Nations’ self-determined priorities and visions for the future of forests, and learn about local Indigenous culture.
We showcased a collaborative video from SFI’s recent visit to Treaty #3 Territory in Kenora, Northwestern Ontario. Chief Lorraine Cobiness, President of Miisun Integrated Resource Management and Miitigoog Forest Management Company, talks with Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative to discuss women in forestry and Indigenous inclusion and leadership in the forest and conservation sector.
NATURE-POSITIVE SOLUTIONS
Global conservation leaders examined the role of certification in driving, quantifying, and sharing forest-positive solutions to ecological sustainability and demonstrating the value of collaborative efforts to advance environmental metrics.
CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY
Forestry leaders took the stage to discuss climate science and application implications for policy and practice, and how the SFI Forest Management Standard is positioned to drive climate smart forestry.
GROWING A RESILIENT WORKFORCE
An inspiring session featuring diverse youth perspectives that explored examples of the various partnerships and initiatives that successfully create an impactful workforce.
The panelists explored barriers to employment and discussed tools that have helped support their pathways, such as mentorship. Explore mentorship opportunities.
SFI AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Scott Robertson, Lennard Joe, and Paul Robitaille were recognized for their foundational, governance, and programmatic contributions in advancing SFI’s Indigenous Relations. Together, these three set SFI up for success.
Read the full press release.
SFI LEADERSHIP IN CONSERVATION AWARD
Mosaic Forest Management (Mosaic) is being recognized for its early and enthusiastic adoption of SFI’s climate smart forestry objective. Mosaic’s scientifically calculated target is to be net-zero by 2035 across all operations and to become a positive sequestration business.
Read the full press release.
SFI IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Maine Committee was selected for the 2023 SFI Implementation Committee Achievement Award for its collaborative leadership in addressing key enhancements to the SFI Forest Management and Fiber Sourcing Standards.
Read the full press release.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS
