The work of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) starts with a standard but SFI is much more — it’s a community that stands for the future of forests.

SFI® is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. The SFI Forest Management Standard is based on principles that promote sustainable forest management, including measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk and forests with exceptional conservation value.

We recognize that playing a leading role in shaping the forests of tomorrow will require collaborating with a wide range of interests today. SFI brings landowners and brand owners from across the supply chain together with communities, conservation groups and other key interests to tackle the issues that define forests today and will shape the future of forests.

Supporting research is a central tenet of the SFI program. We see it as a way to further the conservation value of SFI-certified forests and lands subject to SFI’s fiber-sourcing requirements. Our commitment to research is also evidence that SFI is more than just a standard.  Since 2010, SFI has awarded more than 50 SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships grants totaling more than $1.9 million to foster research and to pilot efforts to better inform future decisions about our forests. When leveraged with project partner contributions, that total investment exceeds $7.1 million.

In fact, SFI is the only forest certification standard in the world that requires participants to support forestry research. These activities include improving forest health, productivity and sustainability. Better management of forest resources and enhancing the environmental benefits and performance of forest products are also central to the SFI research mission.

How can you make a difference?

When you design, create, and use materials certified to SFI in your product packaging – you are making a difference on-the-ground today to ensure healthy forests for tomorrow. You are showing you care about the responsible use of natural resources through responsible purchasing decisions and actions.

Forests across North America have never been managed better, and SFI has played an integral part. But there is so much more to do. Ask for SFI, and join us in making a stand for future forests.

 Learn more: sfiprogram.org.