MEMBERS OF THE American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) have made a commitment as part of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) to integrate public concerns and expectations into the way they manage forest lands.  As part of the SFI program, Alabama member companies are making available a toll-free number to respond to questions about site-specific forest practices.  

THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER has been established to foster a dialogue with the public on forest practices and to facilitate the use of good forestry practices.  Alabama member companies want to understand issues of public concern and identify areas for improvement.  Another goal of this program is to inform the public about good forestry practices.

The consumer oriented website www.aboutsfi.com provides key information about the SFI program.

SFI is a commitment to practice responsible forestry, to recognize responsible wood suppliers, and to educate and inform people about sustainable forestry practices.  It represents a partnership between loggers, landowners, and the forest industry.

The focus of this program is to address concerns so that responsible forestry can continue.  At the same time, this program recognizes the rights and concerns of Alabama's 214,000 private forest landowners.

One of the basic principles of SFI is to encourage third-party input into the way companies do business.  That is why, if you have a site-specific question, we invite you to call.

We are proud of our accomplishments, and we are interested in your comments and concerns.  All calls are confidential.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative Guidelines

On Company Lands....

• Employ an array of scientifically, environmentally, and economically sound practices in the growth, harvest, and use of forests
• Reforest harvested areas promptly
• Protect water quality through riparian protection measures
• Enhance wildlife habitat for game and nongame species
• Minimize the aesthetic impact of harvesting
• Protect company lands of ecologic, geologic, or historical significance
• Contribute to biodiversity conservation
• Improve wood Utilization
• Use forest chemicals prudently

On all Forest Lands........

• Foster the practice of sustainable forestry on all forest lands through cooperation with nonindustrial forest landowners, foresters, loggers, and other forest industries

With the Public.......

• Publicly report progress with SFI implementation
• Increase opportunities for public outreach with SFI

Other Sustainable Forestry Initiative Programs

In Alabama, twenty companies are committed to the principles of SFI.  Together, these companies own or manage over 5 million acres of forest land.

Within Alabama, the SFI is implemented by a State Implementation Committee that meets four times per year.  This committee included loggers, wood suppliers, and AF&PA member companies.

Together we:

• Developed outreach materials for loggers, wood suppliers, tree farmers, and landowners.
• Trained 1700 loggers through the Professional Loggers Management course in the areas of safety, environmental concerns, and forest and business management.
• Improved water quality through strict adherence to the EPA's Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Improved wildlife habitat through the use of corridors, streamside management zones (SMZs), road seeding, and food plots.

For Site-Specific Forest Practice Questions, Call: 1-800-206-0981