SFI Announces 2023 Community Grants

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) has announced 16 new SFI Community Grants to support meaningful initiatives in communities across the United States and Canada while progressing SFI’s mission of advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaboration.

SFI Community Grants are awarded for collaborative community-based projects, activities, and events that connect communities to forests. Since the SFI Community Grant Program started in 2010, SFI has awarded 118 grants totaling more than $1 million. The 16 new grants of the 2023 program represent a record-breaking number of projects supported and more than $215,000 in total funding announced.

“SFI is excited to invest in so many initiatives that promote collaboration and connect communities to forests, and I’m so proud to see the growth in this program,” says Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI. “This year’s SFI Community Grant Program allow us to live our mission to advance sustainability through forest-focused collaboration. We work with many diverse partners and communities that are key to our success.”

These new grants will engage communities across North America to explore and connect with forests through:

• Innovation in the application of the SFI Forest Management Standard and the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard, including conservation of biological diversity and fire resilience
• Connecting communities to forests through the new SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard and greener built environments
• Education and training to support sustainable forest management and Indigenous relationship building
• Building a diverse and resilient workforce through environmental education, forest literacy and career pathways in collaboration

Notable Projects Being Funded

The Alabama SFI Implementation Committee is creating opportunities for collaborative educational work on species biodiversity to meet the requirements of the SFI Forest Management Standard through their project, “Enhancing Forest Species Biodiversity Through Collaborative Education.”

Dovetail Partners will develop and promote a five-minute professional video to educate and empower landowners to strengthen collaboration for active forest management with the “Supporting Personal Choices in Caring for the Land to Increase Fire Resilience and Awareness in Northern Minnesota” project.

The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and the University of Miami School of Architecture are helping students to learn about and experience the various phases of sustainable timber production and manufacturing as part of their project: “Helping Underrepresented Architecture Students Become Leaders and Sustainable Forestry Advocates.”

The Georgia Forestry Foundation will build the Phoenix, an educational mass timber display at Ponce City Market in Atlanta, to increase momentum for a thriving mass timber industry in Georgia.

The CCI Group of Companies will collaborate with Tsuut’ina Nation members in Alberta to develop professional forestry skills, acquire equipment, employ forestry crews, and mitigate wildfire risk to homes, community assets, and infrastructure.

The 2024 Regenerate Youth Forest Leadership Summit, from the Inside Education Society of Alberta, will take a three-day deep dive exploring forest science, technology, innovation, and careers. Staff from SFI and PLT Canada will participate in the summit, “Supporting Underserved Youth in Rural, Urban, and Indigenous High Schools.”

The Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment is increasing awareness of forestry career opportunities in the forest and conservation sector through a train-the-trainer model that focuses on a new one-of-a-kind resource.

“Trees for Tomorrow” will bring wood, paper, and forest management professionals together to support a workforce development program for high school students at an environmental education center using PLT resources as part of a Natural Resources Careers Exploration Week for Wisconsin high school students.

The Howl Experience, through the Canadian Rockies Youth Network, will host a four-day Canadian Rockies Youth Summit for Alberta and British Columbia youth, featuring workshops for youth to form connections to the land, explore nature, and pursue green careers by drawing on PLT Canada resources.