The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) advances sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. We are an independent, non-profit organization that demonstrates our commitment to forests through our work in standards, conservation, education, and community. SFI works with the forest sector, conservation groups, academics, researchers, brand owners, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments to achieve a vision of a world that value and benefits from sustainably managed forests.

Standards: SFI Standards promote sustainable forest management in North America and responsible procurement of forest products around the world.

Conservation: SFI advances conservation objectives in forests throughout North America through the values expressed in our standards, through carefully targeted research and grants, through direct leadership of critical initiatives, and through partnerships that effectively contribute to multiple conservation objectives.

Community: SFI believes that forests are important for our shared quality of life. Many diverse communities rely on forests for their well-being, while others enjoy the recreational and health benefits forests provide. Working with our grassroots network, other various partners including Indigenous communities, and the SFI Community Partnerships Grant Program, we help communities better understand the value of sustainability managed forests and grow their relationship with forests.

Education: Fostering an appreciation and understanding of the natural world is critical to healthy mental and physical development in youth. But today’s American and Canadian kids spend more time indoors than previous generations. That’s why a key component of SFI’s community engagement is educating youth, to ensure they can be effective future leaders and have a strong understanding of the value of responsibly managed forests. A cornerstone of this work is Project Learning Tree (PLT).

PLT is an award-winning environmental education program designed for educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through college and university – we are developing the critical-thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision-making skills the next generation needs to sustain our forests and natural resources. SFI and PLT are working to ensure educators and youth leaders understand and value the benefits of forests and what our environment needs to remain healthy and sustainable.