WA State SFI Implementation Committee
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) program is a comprehensive system of principles, objectives, and performance measures developed by professional foresters, conservationists, and scientists that combines the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the long-term protection of wildlife, plants, soil, and water quality. There are currently over 150 million acres of forestland in North America enrolled in the SFI® program, making it among the world's largest sustainable forestry programs.
The mission of the Washington State SFI Implementation Committee (WASIC) is to promote and foster an understanding of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and to promote sustainable forestry practices on all forestlands in the state.
The current core priorities for WASIC are:
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Establish criteria and identify delivery mechanisms for contractor (logger) and forester training.
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Establish protocols for addressing inconsistent practices.
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Focus landowner outreach efforts on education and technical assistance.
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Focus public outreach efforts on increasing SFI program recognition and support among local opinion leaders and forestry professionals.
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Protect the integrity of the SFI program.
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Support the efforts of state and federal agencies to report harvest and regeneration statistics.
This website is designed to provide information on Washington SIC-sponsored activities and programs. We hope you will find this site useful and educational. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions.
WASIC Activities
Since 2001
Best Management Practices
SFI® promotes Washington Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Forestry that protect water quality working with the Washington Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies.
Master Loggers
SFI helps fund the Washington Contract Loggers Association (WCLA), an educational program that trains logging professionals. SFI also participates in training WLCA members on the importance of sustainable forestry and the SFI standard. View list of Master Timber Harvesters here.
Wildlife Habitat
SFI works with the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Forest Protection Association to highlight critical wildlife habitat needs and issues in the state. The WASIC developed
species factsheets to help private landowners protect sensitive species while managing their forests. SFI recently created ecoregion factsheets to assist landowners in habitat conservation.
Landowner Outreach
SFI acknowledges the importance of family forest owners and provides many Washington landowners with information about sustainable forestry and the resources available to help them manage their forests sustainably. The SIC donates money to support the Washington Farm Forestry Association, the Family Forest Foundation, the Washington Tree Farm Program and participates in the Family Forest Field Day activities hosted by WSU Extension.
Environmental Education
SFI provides support for environmental educational efforts in Washington, when it furthers the goals of the program. Since 2009, the Washington SIC has helped sponsor the winners of the state FFA forestry contest so these deserving high school students can attend the national FFA forestry contest.
WASIC also sponsors incoming college freshmen and continuing students in forestry and natural resource management related degree programs. See the Scholarships page for more information.