The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), non-profit group based out of Washington, but with a mandate to serve all of North America, announced plans to deliver up to $400,000 to support research into responsible forestry practices in 2013.
Through the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program, the organization is now accepting applications, Request for Proposals, for conservation research projects that explain or inform the role of sustainable forestry in the following grant categories: Working Forests; Water; Carbon and Bioenergy; Capacity Building; and Wildlife and Biodiversity.
Since 2010, SFI has awarded 33 grants totaling more than $1.32 million to support projects that promote sustainable forestry practices and engage communities. When leveraged with project partner contributions, that total investment exceeds $4.8 million.
“The decisions we make today regarding research investments and partnerships will better inform our future understanding of how working forests can continue to provide jobs, forest products and a variety of conservation services and benefits,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc., based out of Washington, D.C.
Up to $250,000 is to be awarded to new grants in 2013, which will bring SFI’s total investment in conservation and community grants in 2013 to $400,000. This amount includes ongoing multi-year research grant commitments for projects awarded to groups like Ducks Unlimited Canada and the World Resources Institute.
Ducks Unlimited Canada’s grant supports developing and testing best management practices for forestry roads on SFI program participant managed lands that serve to protect wetland ecosystems in the Western Boreal Forest. Results to date include the construction of five monitored wetland-crossing sites. A sixth wetland crossing is planned for 2013.
The SFI 2013 RFP is available online. The deadline for this year’s grant applications is Monday, March 18, 2013.
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