WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Intertribal Timber Council (ITC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and Project Learning Tree (PLT) are collaborating to develop Tribal Forestry & Wildland Fire Voices: A Career Guide, a resource aimed at promoting Tribal forestry and supporting workforce development.
Featuring profiles of Tribal forestry professionals and workers across the United States, it will highlight pathways into forestry jobs, promote Tribal schools and educational programs, and include career fact sheets to showcase the various jobs available in the sector. The guide will serve as a valuable tool to inspire young people to explore the diverse and exciting career opportunities available in Tribal forestry.
“As demand grows for forestry workers and professionals, this initiative will help connect young adults with meaningful careers in the sector,” said Kathy Abusow, CEO and President at SFI. “By showcasing real-world Tribal role models, sharing resources and outlining clear career pathways, we aim to support workforce recruitment and development while promoting the long-term strength of careers in Tribal forestry. We are actively looking for financial support to advance this important work.”
To ensure the guide reflects the perspectives and needs of Tribal forestry workers and professionals, the ITC will establish an advisory committee to guide the development process, offering insights on content and distribution, to ensure the guide is a valuable and relevant workforce recruitment tool. By leveraging the ITC’s deep connections with Tribal forestry experts and SFI’s experience in career resource development, this collaboration will help strengthen pathways for individuals pursuing careers in sustainable forestry and conservation.
Phil Rigdon, Vice President of the ITC, stated, “This guide and K-12 outreach is critical to the success of ushering in the next generation of tribal forestry and fire practitioners. Tribes have recognized the need for outreach and at a local level established educational programs or camps to serve the local communities. This guide will provide Tribes an additional tool to inform Tribal members of forestry and fire positions to increase capacity building.”
SFI has been a leader in sustainable forestry for 30 years, driving positive change through collaboration in its four pillars: standards, conservation, community, and education. Through Project Learning Tree (PLT), SFI advances environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways, using trees and forests as windows to the world. As part of this commitment, SFI and PLT have created resources that inspire young people to explore meaningful careers in forestry and conservation. Our experience creating career guides— such as Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers in partnership with MANRRS and PLT Canada’s A Guide to Green Jobs in Canada: Voices of Indigenous Professionals— has well-positioned us to continue developing impactful workforce development tools. Through this new partnership, we aim to strengthen workforce development efforts and ensure the next generation of Indigenous leaders have the tools and opportunities needed to thrive in the forest sector.
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 the Intertribal Timber Council
Established in 1976, the ITC is a nonprofit nation-wide consortium of Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and individuals dedicated to improving the management of natural resources of importance to Native American communities. The ITC works cooperatively with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, private industry, and academia to explore issues and identify practical strategies and initiatives to promote social, economic, and ecological values while protecting and utilizing forests, soil, water, and wildlife.
