WVFA eNews Weekly

The decisions we make every day directly affect the health and future of our forests. The launch of the new Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) 2015-2019 Standards and Rules marks an important advancement to support better decision making along the supply chain and promote sustainable forest management. When a Fortune 500 company sources forest products, a landowner makes a forest management plan or a consumer buys copy paper, they can all make the right choice for our forests by choosing SFI.

"The future of our forests depends on credible, transparent and auditable standards to enable sustainable resource use for today and generations to come. Our work starts with the SFI standards, but SFI is so much more—it's a community that stands together for the health and future of forests," said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. "SFI plays a central role in strengthening the vital link between healthy forests, responsible purchasing and sustainable communities."

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wvf-nwl/articles/?aid=302757&issueID=40937 to view the full article online.

On January 1, 2015, the recently updated American Tree Farm Standard (ATFS) 2015-2020 Standards of Sustainability officially went into effect; formal announcement of the Standards was made on January 5 to the media, partners and the ATFS community. These Standards are integral to the ATFS program and serve as the benchmark for recognition and certification as a Tree Farm. Transition to the updated 2015-2020 Standards is already underway. A complete overview and guidance for the transition process is available at the Standards Transition webpage (https://www.treefarmsystem.org/transition-period#Overview).

Visit https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=9uttoa5usw5c to view the full article online.

A.B. Brooks Symposium - Hotel Reservations Deadline: Jan. 22
For room reservations at the Charleston Marriott Hotel call 304-345-6500 and mention the code FRR (the code MUST be mentioned) to get our block of rooms. Reservations should be called in to the hotel, before the room-block cutoff date of January 22.

Feb. 4 - A.B. Brooks Symposium - Developing Agenda
7:30 a.m. Breakfast:
The Election and its Effect on 2015 Legislation - Speaker Invited
9:00 a.m. Symposium:
Northern Long-Eared Bat Update - Kathy Becket, Steptoe & Johnson
Birthplace of Rivers as National Monument - Speaker Invited
Managed Timberland Tax - Kathryn Arano, WVU
Premises Liability (Landowner Liability) - Rebecca A.Judy, McNeer, Highland, McMunn & Varner, L.C.
Waters of the U.S. - Steve Butler, WV Farm Bureau
Urban Forestry - Liz Moss, WVDOF

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/wvf-nwl/pdf/ABBrooksReg-15c.pdf to view the full article online.