The Sustainable Forestry initiative (SFI) program is based on nine principles and 13 supporting objectives. Principle No. 1 is the defining element of the SFI program and Standard, and the other eight principles flow from that statement:
- Sustainable Forestry – To practice sustainable forestry to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; practicing a land stewardship ethic that integrates reforestation and the growing and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, air and water quality, biological diversity, wildlife and aquatic habitat, recreation and aesthetics.
- Responsible Practices – To use and promote sustainable forestry practices that are both scientifically credible and economically, environmentally and socially responsible.
- Reforestation and Productivity – To provide for regeneration after harvest and maintain the productive capacity of forestlands.
- Forest Health and Productivity – To protect and maintain long-term forest and soil productivity.
- Long-Term Forest and Soil Productivity – To protect and maintain long-term forest and forest productivity.
- Protection of Water Resources – To protect water bodies and riparian zones.
- Protection of Special Sites and Biological Diversity – To manage forests and lands of biological, geological, historical or cultural significance in a manner that protects their unique qualities; and to promote a diversity of wildlife habitats, forest types, and ecological and natural community types.
- Legal Compliance – To comply with applicable federal, state, and local forestry and related environmental laws, statutes and regulations.
- Continual Improvement – To continually improve the practice of forest management and also to monitor, measure and report performance in achieving the commitment to sustainable forestry.
SFI program participants are required to have written and well-documented plans that demonstrate how they are supporting those principles that are relevant to their business.
View or download the complete SFI Standard now.