The Louisiana Forestry Association is the sponsor of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) in Louisiana. Every major forest products company in the state has agreed to abide by the recommendations of the SFI as mandated by the American Forest & Paper Association.

SFI means practicing forestry so that we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable forestry involves all aspects of forestry, including growing, nurturing and harvesting of trees. Sound forest stewardship is more than just trees. It is a commitment to the conservation of soil, air and water quality along with maintaining healthy and abundant wildlife and fish habitat.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative was developed nationally through the American Forest and Paper Association(AF&PA), whose members represent 84 percent of the paper production, 54 percent of the solid wood production, and 90 percent of the industrial timberland in America today. Compliance with the SFI guidelines on company-owned forest land is mandatory for AF&PA company membership.

The Louisiana Forestry Association through its Sustainable Forestry Initiative Committee (State Implementation Committee) is the lead agency for implementation of the Louisiana Forestry Initiative. Other active participants include:

• The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
• Louisiana Tech University
• Louisiana State University
• Louisiana Forest Products Lab
• Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
• Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
• Louisiana Small Business Development Centers
• USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service
• USDA-Forest Service
• US Department of Labor-OSHA
• Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service