Barry Graden, SFI Inc. Four State Forestry on the Grow Conference April 25, 2014 SFI: Progress Though Partnerships.

Barry Graden, SFI Inc.

Four State Forestry on the Grow

Conference

April 25, 2014

SFI: Progress Though Partnerships

• Largest single forest certification standard in the world

• 248 Million acres certified in U.S. and Canada

• Conservation Research and Community Outreach

• More than 2,500 organizations involved in the SFI program

• A registered nonprofit, governed by a three-chamber board

SFI Today

• Growth by several measures:

SFI Today

Why Invest in SFI Certification?

• Social License to Operate• Credibility• Market Access• Competition• Attraction to Investors• International Appeal

Why Invest in SFI Certification?

Social License to Operate• Credibility• Market Access• Competition• Appeal to Investors• International Appeal

Society accepts certification as the proof-point of responsible forestry.

On-product labels empower consumers to choose to support sustainable forestry.

Why Invest in SFI Certification?

• Social License to Operate Credibility• Market Access• Competition• Appeal to Investors• International Appeal

“Reputation Enhancement”

at all points on the supply chain:

Landowner to Brand-Owner.

Why Invest in SFI Certification?

• Social License to Operate• Credibility Market Access• Competition• Appeal to Investors• International Appeal

Certification becoming the ticket to enter the field of competition.

Global producers increasingly favor certification in purchasing their policies.

Why Invest in SFI Certification?

• Social License to Operate• Credibility• Market Access Competition• Attraction to Investors• International AppealMore landowners and mill operators are certifying to SFI;

Differentiating themselves from the non-certified.

Why Invest in SFI Certification?

• Social License to Operate• Credibility• Market Access• Competition Attraction to Investors• International AppealAs an investment strategy, forest management promotes diversification as a formula for long-term success and stability;

Certification provides the credentials for verification.

Why Invest in SFI Certification?

• Social License to Operate• Credibility• Market Access• Competition• Attraction to Investors International Appeal

EU Timber Regulation recognizes forest certification as simplest and most credible tool for demonstrating legality and minimizing risk.

World Business Council for Sustainable Development “recognizes and supports” forest certification by FSC, PEFC and SFI.

SFI Forest Partners® Program

Objectives and Goals

1. Grow the certified forestland base

2. Facilitate the uptake of fiber from certified forestlands through the supply chain

5 million acres

End of 2014

10 million acres

End of 2017

SFI Forest Partners® Program

SFI Forest Partners® Program

• Designed for currently uncertified lands and small mills

• Beginning in the U.S. South

• State- or Region-based Projects

SFI Forest Partners® Program

SFI Forest Partners® Program

How it Works:

Coordinated Approach Reduces Costs through:– Same Certifying Body among participants – Synergies: Pre-assessments, back to back audits– Individual certificates for participants– Participants maintain certification going forward– SFI Forest Partners Program provides $– Annual surveillance and recertification audits:

Same pattern

SFI Forest Partners® Program

Funding from Forest Partners Program:

• Assessments - Gap analyses

• Consulting assistance for audit readiness

• Coordination and implementation of Initial Audits

• Innovation - Groups, pilot projects, etc.

• Operations—costs of travel, equipment, supplies.

SFI Forest Partners® Program

• 103,000 acres certified• Statement from SC Governor and State Forester in

support of the state’s forestry practices and forest products industry

2013 - First project completed: SC

• Similar opportunity in other states

• St. Joe Timberland– Feb, 2014– 521,000 acres certified

• Timberland Investment Resources– March, 2014– 607,000 acres certified

• Progress through Partnerships!– Continuing to recruit new Project Participants

SFI Forest Partners® Program

Additional Successes:

SFI Forest Partners® Program

To Learn More:

Visit: www.sfiprogram.org

Or Contact:

barry.graden@sfiprogram.org