The SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard supports cities, towns, and community managers in creating healthier and more resilient urban forests. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is a nonprofit that advances sustainability through forest-focused standards, education, conservation, and community partnerships. SFI’s core certification programs include the Forest Management Standard, Fiber Sourcing Standard, Chain-of-Custody Standard, and Certified Sourcing Standard, which support responsible forest practices and supply chain transparency across North America.

The SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard offers a flexible framework for planning, growing, maintaining, and conserving trees in developed areas - where over 80% of North Americans live. Unlike the core SFI forestland standards, this one is tailored to urban challenges. It provides guidance for improving canopy cover, climate adaptation, tree equity, water management, public engagement, and biodiversity in parks, streetscapes, and campuses. It’s designed to be scalable and applicable to municipalities, nonprofit organizations, commercial landowners, and academic campuses regardless of size or geography.

The standard includes performance measures aligned with SFI’s core principles and encourages collaboration with Indigenous communities and local stakeholders. It also supports broader goals in health, education, and environmental justice by recognizing the role of urban forests in sustainable living.

More details are available at: SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard