• Ecosystem Services & Impacts

    RR-FM-160a.2: Area of forestland with protected conservation status

    OBJECTIVE 2. FOREST HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

    OBJECTIVE 3. PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF WATER RESOURCES

    OBJECTIVE 4. CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

    OBJECTIVE 6. PROTECTION OF SPECIAL SITES

    OBJECTIVE 11. LEGAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

    Performance Measure 2.3. Certified Organizations shall implement practices that protect and maintain forest and soil productivity and soil health.

    Indicator 5: Practices that address harvesting and site preparation to protect soil productivity and soil health.

    Performance Measure 3.2. Certified Organizations shall implement water, wetland, and riparian protection programs based on climate, soil type, terrain, vegetation, ecological function, harvesting system, state best management practices (BMPs), provincial guidelines and other applicable factors.

    Indicator 1: Program addressing management and protection of water quality of rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, other water bodies and riparian areas during all phases of management. +D4:D5

    Indicator 2: Program to protect water quantity during all phases of management.

    Performance Measure 4.1. Certified Organizations shall conserve biological diversity.

    Indicator 4: Certified Organizations shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts such as SFI Implementation Committees, participate in or incorporate the results of credible, relevant state, provincial, or regional conservation planning and priority-setting efforts to conserve biological diversity and incorporate the results of these efforts in forest management planning. Credible priority-setting efforts include state and provincial wildlife action plans, state forest action plans, relevant habitat conservation plans, provincial wildlife recovery plans, Indigenous planning processes or ecoregional plans.

    Performance Measure 4.2. Certified Organizations shall protect threatened and endangered species, critically imperiled and imperiled species (Forests with Exceptional Conservation Values), and natural communities, and old-growth forests.

    Indicator 2: Program to locate and protect known sites of flora and fauna associated with viable occurrences of critically imperiled and imperiled species and ecological communities, defined as Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value. Programs for protection may be developed independently and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees and may include Certified Organization managers, cooperation with other stakeholders, or use of easements, conservation land sales, exchanges, or other conservation strategies.

    Indicator 3: Support of and participation in programs for the conservation of old-growth forests in the region of ownership or forest tenure.

    Performance Measure 4.3. Certified Organizations shall manage to protect ecologically important sites in a manner that takes into account their unique qualities.

    Indicator 1: Use of information such as existing NatureServe or natural heritage data or expert advice in identifying or selecting ecologically important sites for protection.

    Indicator 2: Appropriate mapping, cataloging and management of identified ecologically important sites.

    Performance Measure 4.4. Certified Organizations shall apply knowledge gained through research, science, technology, field experience and the results of monitoring of the effectiveness of conservation-related programs to manage wildlife habitat and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity.

    Indicator 2. A program to incorporate data collected, research results and field applications of biodiversity and ecosystem research into forest management decisions.

    Indicator 3. Individually or collaboratively participate in or support research that demonstrates the conservation outcomes resulting from management strategies.

    Performance Measure 6.1. Certified Organizations shall have a program to identify special sites and manage and protect them in a manner appropriate for their unique features.

    Indicator 1: Use of information such as existing natural heritage data, expert advice or stakeholder consultation, or consultation with Indigenous Peoples in identifying or selecting special sites for protection.

    Performance Measure 11.1. Certified Organizations shall comply with applicable federal, provincial, state, and local forestry and environmental laws and regulations.

    Indicator 1. Access to relevant laws and regulations.

    Indicator 2. System to achieve compliance with applicable federal, provincial, state, or local laws, and regulations.

    Indicator 3. Demonstration of commitment to legal compliance through available regulatory action information.

  • Rights of Indigenous Peoples

    RR-FM-210a.1 Area of forestland in indigenous land

    OBJECTIVE 8. RECOGNIZE AND RESPECT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS

    Performance Measure 8.2. Certified Organizations with forest management responsibilities on public lands shall confer with Indigenous Peoples whose rights may be affected by the Certified Organization’s forest management practices.

    Indicator 1. Program that includes communicating with affected Indigenous Peoples to enable Certified Organizations to: a. understand and respect traditional forest-related knowledge; b. identify and protect spiritually, historically, or culturally important sites; e. provide opportunities to review forest management plans and forest management practices

    Performance Measure 8.3. Certified Organizations are encouraged to communicate with and shall respond to Indigenous Peoples whose rights may be affected by forest management practices on the Certified Organization’s private lands.

    Indicator 1. Certified Organizations are aware of traditional forest-related knowledge, such as known cultural heritage sites, the use of wood in traditional buildings and crafts, and flora that may be used in cultural practices for food, ceremonies, or medicine.