Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Are you part of a city, Indigenous community, Tribe, university, or nonprofit managing urban or community forests? Don’t miss your chance to apply for the SFI Urban Forest Improvement Grant Program, created in partnership with the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The deadline is just one month away! This program offers grants of up to $75,000 to support urban and community forestry projects that: 🌲 Benchmark their program against the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. 🌲 Work with an accredited Certification Body to assess readiness for certification. 🌲 Help organizations plan, manage, and grow sustainable urban forests. Applications are due January 30, 2025—apply now to enhance your urban forests and build healthier, more sustainable communities. 🔗 Learn more and apply today: forests.org/urban-grant Funding for this project is provided by the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program. USDA and SFI are equal opportunity providers and employers. USDA Forest Service

As the year comes to an end, we celebrate the successes of our 2020-2024 strategic direction. Please take the time to explore our SFI Scorecards highlighting five years of progress. https://lnkd.in/gnKtJMdR Thank you for being an important part of the SFI and Project Learning Tree networks. We could not have achieved this alone. These successes reflect your collaboration to advance our shared mission - a world that values and benefits from sustainably managed forests!🌲

The last SFI Annual Conference was an impactful and educational opportunity for attendees, with 94% of post-conference survey participants reporting they would recommend it to colleagues. Get ready for next year's #SFIconf, hosted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from May 20–23, 2025! Learn more and stay tuned for the registration link—you won’t want to miss out on opportunities to network with SFI-certified organizations, conservation leaders, Indigenous community representatives, government officials, researchers and educators, and others. https://lnkd.in/dU9PM7iD

Do you know a young leader passionate about sustainability, natural resources, or environmental science? SFI’s Youth Delegate Program is now open for applications! This unique, all-expenses-paid opportunity brings young professionals (aged 18–30) to the 2025 SFI Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN, from May 20–23, 2025.🌲 Help us connect with emerging leaders by sharing this opportunity or encouraging someone in your network to apply. Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gWgb6TZX

SFI’s urban forestry team has been busy this fall, connecting with forestry professionals across North America about the SFI Urban Forest Improvement Grant Program, created in partnership with the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. From the Society of American Foresters (SAF) to the Arbor Day Foundation's Partners in Community Forestry Conference and more, we’ve highlighted how this program supports sustainable urban forests and healthier communities.     Looking for more information about the program?  🌳Grant recipients will benchmark their urban forest and program to the SFI Urban and Community Forestry Standard and work with an accredited auditor to conduct a pre-audit assessment.  🌳Open to cities, Indigenous communities and Tribes, universities, and nonprofits managing urban/community forests looking for the insights needed to plan, manage, and grow sustainably.  🌳Now offering grants of up to $75,000!  🌳The deadline is January 30th, 2025 (with additional applicants accepted after that deadline based on funding availability.)   Are you ready to enhance urban forests and support sustainable communities? Learn more and apply at forests.org/urban-grant.    For any questions, contact Michael (Mike) Martini, US Director of Urban and Community Forestry, or Paul Johnson, VP of Urban and Community Forestry and Career Pathways.    Funding for this project is provided by the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program. USDA and SFI are equal opportunity providers and employers.     USDA Forest Service

Millions of kids across America face big decisions when they graduate high school, and one challenge common to many students in rural communities is whether they’ll need to move to a bigger city to find career opportunities. But we believe that's not a choice students should have to make. “Through our partnership with Sustainable Forestry Initiative® and Project Learning Tree, we’re sending a message to rural youth that they can have rewarding, well-paying careers in their own hometowns by working for a company like ours,” says Katie Hooker, corporate giving manager. “Sparking interest in our industry starts with nurturing a love for the outdoors and teaching kids about nature.” Learn more about this partnership and its impact. #TheWeyerhaeuserWay #sustainableforestry https://lnkd.in/ehtAcPke

🎄 Remember to check your holiday tree for egg masses from invasive pests like the spotted lanternfly and spongy moth. Learn how to identify, remove, and report to help slow the spread and keep our forests healthy!

What did attendees love about the 2024 SFI Annual Conference? Engaging sessions and meaningful networking opportunities! The #SFIconf brought together leaders from across the forestry and sustainability sector. We’re excited to do it all again in Minneapolis, May 20–23, 2025! We will be releasing registration details soon and welcome your voice in conversations shaping the future of forests! forests.org/conference/ 

Sustainable Forestry Initiative is at The American Society of Consulting Arborists conference this week. Let's talk about the consultant's role in sustainable urban forestry, certification, and our Urban Forest Improvement Program grant up to $75,000.

Celebrate the lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree!🎄 In collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, Project Learning Tree has created the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Activity Collection—a free e-book full of engaging activities to inspire students with the journey of the Capitol Christmas Tree and the importance of responsible forest management. https://lnkd.in/gvvCaWqE