SFI Canadian Wood Products Editor Bill Tice states, “The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) is taking a leadership role and has been the most outspoken when it comes to raising awareness that the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system needs to recognize all credible certification programs.” He also points out that we’re not alone, listing significant support from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, National Association of State Foresters President Steven Koehn, Mother Nature Network Director of Environmental Affairs Chuck Leavell and Society of American Foresters President Michael Goergen, among others.

In the LBM Journal article titled “SFI vs. FSC”, John Wagner brings up another valid point in regards to inclusivity. “Does the freezing out of SFI (and other standards) foster greener, more sustainably harvested lumber and wood fiber? No, it doesn’t.” At SFI, we believe that in order to better promote and increase green building projects, as well as benefit the North American economy, LEED must open their standard to all credible forest certification standards.

I want to thank you for your continued efforts dedicated to advancing the USGBC’s policy to one that recognizes multiple forest certification standards including SFI. With changes to LEED being decided in coming weeks, we encourage you to voice support now more than ever. Circulate articles like those previously mentioned to those who support green building and the forestry community. Encourage friends and colleagues to sign the petition if they haven’t already. As we engage in the USGBC process, we want to ensure we do everything we can to make sure USGBC voters and the general public have accurate information about our program.

Along with blog entries, we’ll post some video and podcast interviews conducted by SFI with some other attendees and thought leaders so you can hear, first-hand, their perspectives.

The first interview was with Chuck Leavell. He’s the Director of Environmental Affairs for a new website, Mother Nature Network, MNN.com (the environmental website “not designed for scientists or experts,” but for “the rest of us, the regular person who wants information written and created in a way that everyone can understand”). Chuck is also a tree farmer and keyboardist for the Rolling Stones. He’s attended Brainstorm Green in the past, and had some interesting things to say about why he’s back, sustainability in general and his new website. I especially like his comments about forest certification and the need for “mutual recognition” by the various standards.

Click on the play button below to listen to the podcast Listen to the podcast

Day 1 began with a panel discussion on the Obama Administration’s climate plan. Panelists included Fred Krupp from the Environmental Defense Fund, David Krone from NRG Energy, Bill Bumpers from Baker Botts in Washington, DC, Michael Splinter from Applied Materials and Jim Rogers from Duke Energy. The discussion ranged from cap and trade to solar & wind vs. fossil fuels to the most recent stimulus package.