West Virginia Forestry Association

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Program is based on the premise that responsible environmental behavior and sound business decisions can co-exist.

SFI program participants practice sustainable forestry on all the lands they manage.  They also influence millions of additional acres through the training of loggers and foresters in best management practices and landowner outreach programs.

This unique commitment to sustainable forestry recognizes that all forest landowners, not just SFI program participants, play a critical role in ensuring the long term health and sustainability of our forest.

On Januray 1, 2007, a new, fully independent organization, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. was created to direct all elements of the SFI Program.

This independence solidifies the SFI program's strong market position as one of the world's leading forest certification programs.

The multi-stakeholder Board of Directors of SFI, Inc. is the sole governing body over the SFI Standard and all aspects of the program, including chain of custody certification and labeling, marketing and promotion.  SFI, Inc.'s board memebers represent environmental conservation organizations, public officials, professional and academic groups, forest products industry, independent logging professionals and forest landowners.

Participation in the SFI program requires a strong commitment to sustainable forestry.  SFI, Inc. has developed a comprehensive and internationally consistent third=party certification procedure for participants to document and communiate their compliance with the SFI Standard.

To be certified, an applicant must undergo a thorough and rigorous review of its operations by an audit firm accredited by either ANAB (ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board) or the Standards Council of Canada.  All auditors must meet precise educational and professional criteria established by SFI, Inc.

The SFI program has more than 220 program participants and chain of custody holders in the U.S. and Canada managing over 133 million acres of forestland.  That means the vast majority of certified products in the market today are SFI program certified.

In the U.S., SFI program participants represent:

• 85% of wood panel production
• 50% of dimensional lumber
• 92% of pulp production
• 84% of all paper production
• 87% of newsprint production
• 93% of containerboard production
• 90% of paperboard production
• 85% of printing-writing paper production

Many merchants, printers and others desire to demonstrate their commitment to responsible environmental practices.  Chain of Custody certification is available to these business so they may assure their customers that they can supply products and merchandise from sources certified to the SFI Standard.  As more customers demand certified forest products, SFI Chain of Custody certification can make a difference in a company's bottom line.

It's a simple premise.  Make sound business decisions to provide the forest products our economy needs.  And protect the environment and the health of our forests for future generations.

That's sustainablility.

And that's what The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program is all about.

The SFI program integrates the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soils and air and water quality.

Organizations that meet the rigorous standards for SFI certification have demonstrated a commitmetn to the principles of sustainability on the lands they manage and in the products they produce.

• American Forests
• American Tree Farm System
• American Legislative Exchange Council
• Arkansas Wildlife Federation
• Association of Western Pulp and Paper workers, UBC
• The Conservation Fund
• Conservation Federation of Missouri
• Ducks Unlimited
• Forest Resources Association
• International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
• Longleaf Alliance
• Michigan United Conservation Clubs
• National Association of Conservation Districts
• National Association of Professional Forestry Schools and Colleges
• National Association of State Foresters
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
• National Fisheries Institute
• National Wild Turkey Federation
• National Woodland Owners Association
• Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association
• PACE International Union
• Pulp and Paper Workers Resource Council
• Quality Deer Management Association
• Quail Unlimited
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Ruffed Grouse Society
• Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
• Society of American Foresters
• South Carolina Wildlife Federation
• Southern Council of Industrial Workers, UBC
• USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
• Wildlife Habitat Council Wildlife Management Institute
• The Wildlife Society
• Tree Musketeers
• United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
• United Mine Workers of America
• Western Council of Industrial Workers, IBC
• Woodworkers District Lodge #1, IAM
• Woodworkers District Lodge #2, IAM