Grants program targets forest conservation research projects

Washington D.C. and Ottawa, ON – The Sustainable Forestry Initiative^® (SFI^®) says it has opened its 2014 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program. SFI says it will invest in conservation research projects and collaborative partnerships that explain or inform the role of sustainable forest management in carbon and bioenergy; forest health; water; capacity building; and wildlife, fish and biodiversity.

“As a proof point for responsible forestry and future forests, the SFI Program is the only forest certification standard in North America that requires participants to support and engage in research activities to improve forest health, productivity and sustainable management of forest resources. The SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant program fosters research and pilot efforts to better inform future decisions about our forests,” said Kathy Abusow, president & CEO of SFI Inc.

SFI says it will provide up to $300,000 for forest conservation research projects, bringing total 2014 investments to over $400,000 with previously awarded multi-year research grants. Since 2010, SFI has awarded 40 grants for a total of over $1.65 million that promote sustainable forestry practices and engage communities. Together with project partner contributions, these projects represent leveraged investments of over $5 million.

“The selected projects will yield results that reach far beyond the test sites, benefitting conservation efforts across a range of working forests”, said Paul Trianosky, SFI’s senior director of conservation partnerships.

The complete 2014 RFP and the latest information about the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant program are posted at http://www.sfiprogram.org/community-conservation/conservation-community-partnerships-grant-program/. The deadline for this year’s grant applications is Friday, February 21, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. ET.