📍ATLANTA: Sustainable Forestry Initiative Annual Conference Thank you Sustainable Forestry Initiative for having us at this year's annual conference where our President & CEO Andres Villegas presented, along with GFF Trustee Chair Troy Harris of Jamestown, on the Georgia Forestry Foundation’s Seedlings to Solutions initiative. We’re always thrilled for an opportunity to spread the word about how innovative, locally manufactured forest products like #masstimber are leading the way to delivering low-carbon solutions to companies and consumers across the state. Learn more: seedlingstosolutions.org
There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in sustainable forest management! We’re feeling inspired after the second day of the 2024 #SFIconf’s sessions exploring innovation in the sector. We started the morning with a 5K Fun Run/Walk before attendees explored how science serves as a foundational pillar for conservation objectives. We learned about the crucial role certification plays in collaborative efforts to support species at risk and fire adaptation. “Managing land is a forever business, and active forest management with SFI certification supports the species we care about,” said Dr. Catherine Phillips, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Mercer Mass Timber received the 2024 SFI President’s Award for spearheading the advancement of wood technology to redefine the North American construction landscape and for its leadership and commitment to educating customers on the value of sustainably managed forests and promoting SFI certification in the supply chain. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/efPF6B3j In the afternoon, we focused on communities, with an important discussion about inclusive and collaborative approaches that organizations can take to foster relationships with Indigenous Peoples and embrace traditional knowledge as a guiding force to create a more sustainable planet. Bryan Van Stippen, Program Director at National Indian Carbon Coalition, reminded us that “we didn’t inherit this land from our ancestors; we borrowed it from our children.” Attendees learned about ways partners in urban and community forestry are advancing sustainability efforts, including through the promotion and uptake of the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. Speaker Nausheen Iqbal, Assistant Director of Urban and Community Forestry for the USDA Forest Service USDA, looked forward, “The Standard is going to be really crucial in identifying sustainable forest management practices that communities can adopt to reduce erosion and flood mitigation, as well as to reduce tree canopy loss from pests and diseases. It’s also going to help us identify disparities: where is the work most needed and in which communities?” We learned about the increasing demand for mass timber and SFI-certified wood to demonstrate environmental and social benefits. Troy Harris, Managing Director of Timberland and Innovative Wood Products at Jamestown, shared, “Certification is very important to the developer, as well as the person who will be living in a mass timber building, looking for reassurance that the wood in their space was sustainably grown.” Georgia’s first locally-grown and sourced 619 Ponce building came to life when registrants concluded their day with a tour of the building and a rooftop dinner party overlooking Atlanta’s iconic cityscape.
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