SFI Community Outreach & Training
The SFI program responds to local needs and issues across North America through 37 SFI Implementation Committees at the state, provincial or regional level. This unique grassroots network involves private landowners, independent loggers, forestry professionals, local government agencies, academics, scientists, and conservationists.
SFI Implementation Committees promote the SFI forest standard as a means to broaden the practice of responsible forestry and achieve on-the-ground progress. They offer a forum to provide information or answer questions about local forestry operations, and most have a process to respond to questions or concerns about forestry practices on SFI-certified lands.
Through SFI Implementation Committees, program participants work with local organizations and individuals, providing leadership and sharing best practices to improve forest management on both certified and uncertified lands. The committees work with local conservation groups, government agencies, forestry and professional associations, landowner groups and many others in landowner outreach and community involvement activities.
Since 1995, SFI program participants have contributed $55.1 million to support local programs through SFI Implementation Committees. This includes logger and forester training to reach the thousands of independent contractors that are the key to the quality of forest harvesting operations. By the end of 2009, more than 123,000 loggers and foresters had completed SFI-approved training programs.
Loggers who are aware of their role as responsible professionals are better equipped to protect the environment. Recent reports show consistent improvement in best management practices to protect water quality, thanks largely to logger training and the SFI program. They include:
- The Texas Forest Service: Voluntary Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices in East Texas (2008);
- The South Carolina Forestry Commission: Forestry Best Management Practices for Harvesting in South Carolina 2007-2008; and
- The Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry (Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices in Tennessee).
Learn More:
SFI Implementation Committees Maps
SFI Implementation Committees Annual Achievement Awards
News Release: Minnesota Committee Wins SFI® Achievement Award
News Release: Maine Committee Wins SFI Achievement Award
News Release: SFI Partners With Tennessee Habitat for Humanity (August 13, 2009)
News Release: SFI Supports Habitat Home for Alderville First Nation (Aug. 13, 2009)
News Release: SFI Supports Habitat Homes For Metis Families (July 14, 2009)
News Release: Girl Scouts, Tree Farmers and others to replant land and view timber being processed, as second steps in unique housing partnership between Minnesota's Sustainable Forestry Initiative® and Habitat for Humanity (May 29, 2008)
News Release: Minnesota SIC Habitat for Humanity Partnership Receives Donated Wood (March 20, 2008)
News Release: Minnesota's Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program Building Habitat for Humanity Home (Jan. 26, 2008)
News Release: SFI-Sponsored Entry Places Fourth in International Solar Decathlon (Oct. 21, 2009)
News Release: SFI-Certified Companies Support Solar-Powered Green Building Project (July 7, 2009)
links:
Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity Canada
North House