WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is pleased to share that Chief Scientist Dr. Healy Hamilton is the lead author of a groundbreaking new study examining cross-border species conservation priorities for states in the U.S. Together with colleagues from US Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Federation, and NatureServe, Dr. Hamilton and coauthors conduct the first-ever national analysis of state Species of Greatest Conservation Need, published in the journal Conservation Science and Practice. The authors identify successes and make recommendations to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of species conservation at landscape scales.
Dr. Healy Hamilton, Chief Scientist, Sustainable Forestry Initiative
“SFI-certified forests cover tens of millions of acres in the U.S., including forests that harbor vulnerable species which don’t recognize state borders”, said Dr. Hamilton. “Sustainably managed forests have an essential role to play not only for conserving forest-associated species that are already critically imperiled, but also in preventing vulnerable species from further decline. This study helps SFI-certified organizations apply their conservation actions proactively toward the taxonomic and geographic priorities shared across states where they are managing and sourcing from forest lands.”
We invite you to learn more by reading the NatureServe press release.
SFI-certified organizations are already contributing to cross-border conservation initiatives for Species of Greatest Conservation Need. For example, collaborative projects spearheaded by the Wildlife Conservation Initiative are underway for declining migratory birds of the eastern U.S. to imperiled mussels of the southeast to martens in the Pacific Northwest. These efforts are expanding the evidence that sustainable forest management can deliver conservation co-benefits at scales that can make a difference.
For more information, visit https://wildlifeconservationinitiative.org/projects/
About Nature Serve
For 50 years, NatureServe has been the authoritative source for biodiversity data throughout North America. To protect threatened biodiversity, NatureServe works with over 60 organizations and 1,000+ conservation scientists in the U.S. and Canada to collect, analyze, and deliver standardized biodiversity information, providing comprehensive spatial data to meet both regulatory and conservation needs. NatureServe and its network partners develop and manage data for over 100,000 species and ecosystems, answering fundamental questions about what exists, where it is found, and how it is doing. Visit www.natureserve.org to learn more.
Allison Kenlan
Digital Marketing Specialist
Nature Serve
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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.
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