SFI 2010-2014: Land Management

Landowners and forest managers are required to ensure the protection of water bodies and riparian zones, monitor the impact their operations have on natural habitats, and to observe management practices that safeguard an area's biodiversity. The SFI Standard requires that Program Participants “locate and protect known sites associated with viable occurrences of critically imperiled and imperiled species and communities”—locations designated as “Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value.”

To comply with the Standard's requirements for land management, Program Participants must meet the requirements of 14 SFI program objectives, 31 performance measures, and 94 indicators. The SFI land management objectives are:

Forest Management Planning
Broaden the implementation of sustainable forestry by ensuring long-term forest productivity and yield based on the use of the best scientific information available.

Forest Productivity
Ensure long-term forest productivity, carbon storage, and conservation of forest resources through prompt reforestation, soil conservation, afforestation, and other measures.

Protection and Maintenance of Water Resources
Protect water quality in streams, lakes, and other water bodies.

Conservation of Biological Diversity including Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value
Manage the quality and distribution of wildlife habitats and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity by developing and implementing stand- and landscape-level measures that promote habitat diversity and the conservation of forest plants and animals, including aquatic species.

Management of Visual Quality and Recreational Benefits
Manage the visual impact of forest operations and provide recreational opportunities for the public.

Protection of Special Sites
Manage lands that are ecologically, geologically, or culturally important in a manner that takes into account their unique qualities.

Efficient Use of Forest Resources
Promote the efficient use of forest resources.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Compliance with applicable federal, provincial, state, and local laws and regulations.

Forestry Research, Science, and Technology
To support forestry research, science, and technology, upon which sustainable forest management decisions are based.

Training and Education
To improve the implementation of sustainable forestry practices through appropriate training and education programs.

Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry
To broaden the practice of sustainable forestry by encouraging the public and forestry community to participate in the commitment to sustainable forestry, and publicly report progress.

Public Land Management Responsibilities
To support and implement sustainable forest management on public lands.

Communications and Public Reporting
To broaden the practice of sustainable forestry by documenting progress and opportunities for improvement.

Management Review and Continual Improvement
To promote continual improvement in the practice of sustainable forestry, and to monitor, measure, and report performance in achieving the commitment to sustainable forestry.