The Virginia Department of Forestry today announced that it has certified all of Virginia’s State Forests to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and American Tree Farm System standards. These certified forests cover more than 68,000 acres.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced today that Brian J. Kernohan, Chief Sustainability Officer and Director of Policy at Hancock Natural Resource Group (HNRG) is the winner of the 2018 SFI Leadership in Conservation Award. This award, announced at the SFI Annual Conference, recognizes SFI Program Participants and individuals across the U.S. and Canada who drive conservation results through partnerships.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced the 2018 SFI President’sAward at the SFI Annual Conference today. Bettina Ring, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry and an SFI board member, is this year’s winner. Ring is being recognized for her commitment to encouraging diversity in the forest sector and for her leadership in advancing sustainable forestry.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced the 2018 SFI Dr. Sharon Haines Memorial Award For Innovation and Leadership in Sustainability at the SFI Annual Conference today. Jay Jensen, Director of the Southern Regional Office at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is this year’s winner.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced today that the South Carolina SFI Implementation Committee is the winner of the 2018 SFI Implementation Committee Achievement Award. The South Carolina committee was selected for its ability to build strong partnerships in ways that improve sustainable forestry and promote the SFI Program.

Comox, BC: K’ómoks First Nation, in partnership with Qualicum First Nation, welcomed TimberWest, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) to the K’ómoks First Nation Band Office to announce that they will pilot the SFI Small-Scale Forest Management Module for Indigenous Peoples, Families, and Communities. This is to be implemented on Rosewall Forest Tenure Holdings Ltd, the jointly managed working forest of K’ómoks First Nation and Qualicum First Nation.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) opened its annual request for proposals (RFP) for the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program today. Applications for the program will be accepted from eligible entities through October 9. Requirements for this year's program are available on the SFI website.

Building a strong middle class means giving Canada's youth the tools they need to find and keep good jobs, including in the green jobs sector, with employers that help reduce the consumption of energy and raw materials, limit greenhouse gas emissions, minimize waste and pollution and protect and restore ecosystems. Today at the Thunder Bay Centennial Botanical Conservatory, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, highlighted funding of over $26 million through the Green Jobs in Green Spaces program, helping create 3,725 green student job opportunities across Canada.

Forest fashions take centre stage at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, starting today. As part of our Forests for Fashion initiative with UNECE/FAO, and a range of other partners such as the UN Forum on Forests, Cittadellarte Fashion B.E.S.T, PEFC Italy, PEFC Spain and SFI, we are highlighting the role of forests and forest products towards a sustainable fashion sector, throughout the HLPF.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) is pleased to announce the election of four new members to its Board of Directors: Mike Parr, President, American Bird Conservancy;; Jim Irving, Co-CEO, JD Irving Limited;; Lennard Joe, President, Nicola Tribal Association;; and Jaime Yraguen, President, Associated Oregon Loggers. These new members embody SFI’s three pillars: supply chain assurance, conservation elevation, and education and community engagement.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) Canada and the Canadian Parks Council (CPC) announced a partnership to place 600 youth in summer jobs in Canada’s provincial and territorial parks in the summers of 2018 and 2019. PLT Canada has received approximately $4 million through the Government of Canada’s Summer Work Experience program to offer a 50% wage-match to support summer green job placements for youth.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) Canada will be placing 1000 youth in green jobs using the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s (SFI) diverse network of program participants, conservation leaders, Indigenous partners, and community groups. PLT Canada has received approximately $7 million in federal funding from the Government of Canada’s Summer Work Experience Program to get youth working in the great outdoors through the summers of 2018 and 2019.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced five conservation grants today that will advance our shared understanding of the conservation benefits associated with well-managed forests across the United States and Canada. These grants feature collaboration between SFI and a diverse range of partners and experts from 45 organizations to advance SFI’s ground breaking Conservation Impact Project. 

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced 18 community grants today that will advance the quality of life in communities across the United States and Canada. SFI is bringing together a diverse range of people from 102 organizations to support community engagement projects. SFI engages local communities through a variety of initiatives including youth outreach, forest education programs, supporting tribal and Indigenous values, and green building projects for low-income families.

A commitment to use responsibly sourced wood products has earned Whistler-based Innovation Building Group an award from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). The SFI Certified Wood Award is part of the Wood Design & Building Awards program. Innovation Building Group received the award, for its multi-residential project Solana in Whistler, BC, at the Wood WORKS! BC 2018 Wood Design Awards Gala in Vancouver on February 26.