June 1, 2022
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Project Learning Tree (PLT) will host their first ever joint annual conference from June 14-16, in Madison, Wisconsin. With a theme of Collaborating for Communities and Forests, the event will be a week filled with learning and opportunities to discuss the most-pressing issues and challenges facing the people and the planet, including how sustainable forest management and environmental education provide effective solutions.
Conference participants will come away from the event with:
- Best practices on climate-smart forestry and fire resiliency.
- Knowledge and tools to meet and report on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets.
- Key initiatives to be forest sector leaders on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
- Pathways to grow the next generation of forest sector leaders through Project Learning Tree (PLT).
- Opportunities to advance sustainability through forest-focused collaborations.
- And much more!
Preview the full schedule at forests.org/conference-schedule-2022
Keynote Speaker: Buddy Huffaker
Don’t miss keynote speaker Buddy Huffaker, Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation!
For more than 20 years, Huffaker has been instrumental in leading the Foundation’s efforts to advance a land ethic.
These efforts have included stewarding the Leopold Shack and Farm National Historic Landmark and advocating for a conservation ethic. Learn how the Foundation balances ecological, economic, and cultural values in managing its own property—and engaging neighboring landowners—and how it benefits from greater collaboration, innovation, and community connections. This session will leave participants further inspired to address this convergence for positive change—real-world change that benefits all stakeholders.
Session highlights:
- Growing Forest-Literate Citizens: By gaining forest literacy, people acquire the tools and knowledge they need to keep our forests sustainable over the long term while continuing to benefit from them. This session explores the role of the private and public sectors in supporting a forest-literate society and available tools to advance that goal. You can also read our Forest Literacy Framework—a free guide that translates the language of forests and sustainable forest management into 100 concepts for grades K–12.
- Advancing Opportunities for Diverse Communities in the Forest Sector: Transformative solutions are needed to create more inclusive, sustainable communities. Learn about efforts by SFI and partners to support career awareness, recruitment, mentorship, and other opportunities that will help the forest and conservation sector advance a diverse and resilient workforce. Explore our Green Jobs quiz, curriculum, and training to introduce young people to green jobs and encourage young Black students and professionals to explore our partnership with Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and resources for rewarding careers in the forest and conservation center at PLT.org/journeys.
- Urban and Community Forests—Collaborating for Environmental and Social Health: Urban and community forests deliver crucial social, environmental, and economic benefits. Explore how urban and community forests provide opportunities to engage new audiences through management practices and education tools. Our Discover Your Urban Forest Activity Collection is the perfect complement for urban educators seeking to strengthen middle school student connections to urban forests and invites learners to explore their environment and investigate environmental issues that affect their community.
Students can access virtual registration to the conference for free!
Email events@forests.org with subject line “Student registration for the SFI/PLT Annual Conference” to receive the code.
