Updated Forestry Guide Promotes Responsible Forest Management of 134,000 Private Woodlots in Quebec

MONTREAL and OTTAWA, June 16, 2016 /CNW/ -- The "Fédération des producteurs forestiers du Québec" (Quebec Federation of woodlot owners or FPFQ) has released the fourth edition of the "Sound Forestry Practices for Private Woodlots Field Guide," which is used by small woodlot owners and forest contractors to promote responsible forest management. The updated guide was supported by an SFI Community Partnerships Grant.

"This newest edition includes enhanced recommendations covering key themes such as identifying watercourse crossing features and wetlands, forest certification, conservation of wildlife habitat, timber measurement and stacking for transport, sugarbush development and tree-felling safety regulations. The online version of the guide also features videos that illustrate some of the key concepts," said Pierre-Maurice Gagnon, Chair of the FPFQ.

A diverse and broad partnership, under FPFQ's leadership, made the guide possible. Support from SFI was part of a collaboration with 13 forest-related marketing boards in Quebec and the "Fondation de la Faune du Québec" (FFQ). 

"SFI is proud to support the release of this very professional field guide. We value FPFQ's leadership in developing such useful tools for the community and we love the fact that they do so in such a collaborative manner," said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. "In addition to the members of the FPFQ, this guide is used by SFI Program Participants who promote responsible forestry when they procure wood from private woodlot owners as part of implementing the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard requirements."

Download a copy of the guide (in French) and learn more about the SFI Community Partnerships Grant that helped support the guide.

About the Sustainable Forestry Initiative^® Inc. (SFI)
SFI^® Inc. is an independent, nonprofit organization that is solely responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving the internationally recognized SFI program. SFI works collaboratively with conservation groups, Indigenous peoples, local communities, youth, resource professionals, landowners and countless other organizations and individuals who share our passion for and commitment to responsible forest management. Since 1995, SFI program participants have invested more than $1.5 billion in sustainable forestry research. Across Canada and the United States, more than 113 million hectares (280 million acres) are certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard — 95% of which is available for recreation. In addition, sustainable forestry is promoted through the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard and the SFI Chain-of-Custody Standard. SFI on-product labels help consumers make responsible purchasing decisions. SFI Inc. is governed by a three-chamber board of directors representing environmental, social and economic sectors equally. Learn more at sfiprogram.org and sfiprogram.org/Buy-SFI.

About the Fédération des producteurs forestiers du Québec
The Fédération des producteurs forestiers du Québec (FPFQ) is the provincial organization that works to promote the interests of 134,000 woodlot owners of all socioeconomic backgrounds, including 31,000 forest producers. Its 13 marketing boards act at the regional level to protect and develop Quebec's private forests, as well as ensure the efficient and well-organized marketing of wood from these forests.  Learn more at: foretprivee.ca. 

SOURCE Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.

Elizabeth Woodworth, Vice President, Communications and Community Engagement, Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc., Tel: [phone], [email protected], or Marc-André Rhéaume, ing.f., Communications Manager, Fédération des producteurs forestiers du Québec, Tel: [phone] ext. 8205, [email protected], http://www.sfiprogram.org/