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The Sustainable Forestry Initiative^® (SFI) Program

On October 14, 1994, members of the American Forest & Paper Association agreed to adhere to a set of forestry principles that would meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. These principles call for a land stewardship ethic which integrates the reforestation, nurturing, and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, air and water resources, wildlife and fish habitat, and forest aesthetics.

While this action was revolutionary in its scope, it was built on the practices of many who have long recognized the need to promote sustainable forestry on all forestlands. The increased sensitivities of many Americans to the environmental impacts of modern forestry coupled with the industry’s recognition of the need to sustain forest values led to the development of the formal SFI^® program. The program is based on the premise that responsible environmental policy and sound business practices can be integrated to the benefit of companies, shareholders, customers and the people they serve.

The SFI program was conceived as part of a vision to balance society's need for forest products with stewardship of trees, streams, wetlands, soils, plants and animals that are all a part of forested environments. Because of improved forest management, there is more wood growing on our members' lands, across the country today, than at any time in the past century—an important fact given the public's rapidly increasing demands for wood products. Through programs like the SFI, we can continue to reward investors, create jobs, and extend sound forest management throughout our nation's forests for the benefit of generations to come.

In September 2000, an independent multi-stakeholder Sustainable Forestry Board (SFB) was established with the full responsibility of managing the SFI program standard and certification procedures and SFI program compliance. As of January of 2007 all SFI program elements are being directed by a new fully independent non-profit organization, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. The new SFI is governed by an independent multi-stakeholder Board of Directors comprised of 15 members, two-thirds of whom are from outside interest groups such as environmental and conservation groups.

Participation in a North American program endorsed by the international Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) continues to be a condition of membership in AF&PA for those companies that own forestland or source fiber directly from the forest. This means that as of January 1, 2007, all AF&PA members owning forestland or sourcing directly from the forest must participate in the SFI program or in the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) program.

Click on the links below to learn more about how the SFI and other sustainable forestry and certification programs are working to improve and expand the forests of North America and throughout the world.