West Virginia Forestry Association

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative is a commitment by members of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) to practice a land stewardship ethic which combines the reforestation, growing, managing, and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality.

• The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is a COMMITMENT.
• To practice responsible forest management.
• To recognize responsible logging professionals.
• To educate forest landowners about sustainable forest management practices.
• To inform the public about the dynamics of our forests.
• To monitor, measure and report the performance of members in achieving the goals of the SFI.
• To ensure healthy, productive forests for future generations.

West Virginia's forests provide over 30,000 jobs.

• West Virginia ranks third in the nation in the percentage of forested land.
• Private forest landowners own the majority of forest land in West Virginia.
• West Virginia's forests are at least 94% hardwood species.
• West Virginia's forests re-grow naturally after harvesting from seeds, stumps and roots.
• West Virginia's forests provide homes for numerous wildlife species, songbirds and aquatic creatures.
• The forest industry is the only natural resource industry that extends into every county in West Virginia.

• MeadWestvaco — Hosting over two dozen ecosystem-related research projects on its 8,400 acre Wildlife and Ecosystem Research Forest near Elkins, WV.
• Plum Creek Timber Co. — Has partnered with the Wildlife Section of the WV DNR to enhance habitat for native trout and other aquatic species on 25,000 acres of the South Fork of the Cherry River watershed.
• Weyerhaeuser — Requires proof of SFI approved training from all wood suppliers

In West Virginia there are six companies committed to the principles of the SFI. They are  

• Georgia-Pacific
• Glatfelter
• MeadWestvaco
• NewPage
• Plum Creek Timber Company
• Weyerhaeuser

The SFI member companies have made a commitment to integrate public concerns and expectations into the way they manage their lands. These concerns must be addressed while respecting the rights of the more than 250,000 forest landowners in West Virginia. A toll-free number has been made available to respond to questions concerning practices that appear to be inconsistent with the SFI Program guidelines. If you have comments or concerns about specific forestry activities, please contact us.

Click here to go to www.aboutsfi.org or call toll-free 888-372-WOOD (9663)