Florida – State Implementation Committee (FL-SIC)

Since 1995, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) has existed to promote the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees in a way that is compatible with the protection of wildlife, plants and soil and water quality.

In Florida and across North America, SFI program participants adhere to a set of principles that address how they operate on their own lands and how they conduct procurement practices across all ownerships. Collectively and individually, SFI members promote the practice of sustainable forestry on all lands by funding logger and forester education and encouraging landowners to manage their forests sustainably.

SFI program participants have also been third-party certified to the SFI standard by independent auditors. Many of our industry members are participants of this comprehensive program of forestry and conservation practices designed to ensure that future generations of Americans will have the same abundant forests that we enjoy today. The largest sustainable forestry and certification program in the world encompasses approximately 250 million acres of forest land throughout North America. FL-SIC includes the following companies and agencies which own and/or have operations in Florida:

Inconsistent Practices
If you see a forest activity that is not consistent with SFI standards, we want to know about it!  We will take every step possible to help rectify the problem.  Any direct violation of these standards is taken very seriously. An actual infraction must be a direct violation of SFI standards and must be reported providing specific correlations to these standards.
Click here to report inconsistent practices.

Grant Opportunity
FL-SIC has created a grant opportunity for teachers and non-profit organizations that reach Florida youth in grades K-12.  The grant would provide funding of up to $500 for organizations to teach Florida youth on the benefits of sustainable forestry.  FL-SIC hopes to provide funding annually for at least ten projects across Florida.  Proposals must be submitted by October 15 in order to be considered during the current review period. Click here to download the grant application.

Master Logger
For complete details on Master Logger training requirements and workshops offered through Florida Forestry Association, click here.

For details on Continuing Logger Education (CLE) offered by Southeastern Wood Producers Association,  click here.

Identifying and Managing Forests With Exceptional Conservation Value
This one-hour online course explains the elements of a FECV – including forests with critically imperiled (G1) and imperiled (G2) species and communities, and what some of the endangered and threatened plants and animals are in Florida’s forests. This class will show participants how to use available information and tools to help them manage forestry activities to take into account FECVs.

Watch it on our YouTube channel here.

Bylaws
Read the FL-SIC bylaws here.

Management Guide 
SFI’s Quick Guide for Florida landowners