WASHINGTON, DC – In an agreement of support between the two organizations, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) Inc., and Habitat for Humanity International have signed an MOU and pledged to expand the cooperation between the two groups by encouraging the use of wood products certified to the SFI Standard on Habitat construction sites.
“SFI and Habitat for Humanity International share common values: an equally strong commitment to communities of North America and the sourcing of certified building materials from responsibly managed forests,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. “I look forward to working together to build a better future for our forests and our communities for years to come.”
SFI and many of its program participants have sponsored Habitat builds by supplying building materials certified to the SFI Standard to Habitat affiliates in the U.S. and Canada. SFI has also worked with the National Association of Home Builders and Built Green Canada to support green building certification of Habitat homes.
“Habitat for Humanity supports environmentally responsible construction of durable, healthy and sustainable homes,” said Larry Gluth, Senior Vice President, U.S. and Canada, Habitat for Humanity International. “As part of Habitat’s efforts to enhance the environmental footprint of each Habitat home, we are pleased to partner with SFI to encourage Habitat affiliates’ use of wood products from organizations certified to the SFI Standard.”
There are many green building rating systems that recognize the value of multiple forest certification standards and offer credits for products certified to these forest certification standards. Green building rating tools like the ANSI/ICC 700-2012: National Green Building Standard and Built Green Canada recognize wood certified to the SFI standard. SFI works with those organizations that support multiple forest certification standards including SFI.
ABOUT SFI
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) advances sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. We are an independent, nonprofit organization that leverages four interconnected pillars of work: standards, conservation, community, and education. SFI works with the forest sector, conservation groups, academics, researchers, brand owners, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments. Collaborating with our network, we leverage SFI-certified forests and products as powerful tools to help solve sustainability challenges such as climate action, conservation of biodiversity, education of future generations, and sustainable economic development.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christine Leduc
VP, Communications and Government Relations
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
613-706-1114
media@forests.org
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit www.habitat.org.
Media Contact
Tami Griffin
Senior Director of Partner & Development Communications
Habitat for Humanity International
303-332-8446
tagriffin@habitat.org
