Editors:\n\nWe at the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) welcome Architectural Record’s coverage of mass timber products and buildings, most recently on June 1, 2023, in the Focus on Wood section, “To Better Understand What it means to Build With Wood, Architects Start in the Forest” (the online version is entitled “Sourcing Sustainable Timber Starts with the Forest”) by Joann Gonchar. However, we were disappointed with the author’s portrayal of SFI, particularly the comment that our standards are merely equivalent to Canadian and U.S. regulations. We wish to correct some misconceptions in the article: First, the author states that the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forest certification standard is “more robust” than the SFI Forest Management Standard. This is unfounded. \n\nThe SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard promotes sustainable forestry based on 13 Principles, 17 Objectives, 41 Performance Measures, and 114 Indicators. These requirements include measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and threatened and endangered species; recognizing and respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights; and other values. It also includes unique requirements for Climate-Smart Forestry and Fire Resilience and Awareness that push certified organizations to go above and beyond legislative requirements. \n\nThe supplemental document, “Mythbusting Mass Timber,\" also includes inaccuracies. The authors write that it is “important to note that SFI was originally founded by an industry trade group.” This is true, but SFI has been an independent organization since 2007 and is governed by an 18-member Board of Directors, with representation from three chambers representing the environmental, social, and economic sectors equally. Five current members represent forest-products companies (one position is currently vacant); the other 12 members represent conservation organizations (including the American Bird Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy Canada), Indigenous peoples, a university, and a diverse range of other organizations. SFI also has an eight-member External Review Panel, a group of conservation, forestry, Indigenous, academic, social, and organizational leaders that provide independent perspectives and expertise to SFI.\n\nThe article might have mentioned that the 370,000 board feet of lumber for the glulam elements of the revamped main terminal at the Portland International Airport came from the Yakama Nation, which holds SFI certificates for Forest Management and Fiber Sourcing. Like all other SFI certificate holders, the Yakama Nation is regularly audited by independent third-party certification bodies to ensure that they conform to SFI requirements.\n\nI would welcome an opportunity to meet with Architectural Record editors to provide greater insight to the SFI standards and our conservation, community, and education work related to them.\n\nAnnie Perkins\nSFI Senior Director, Green Building and Supply Chain\nLEED Green Associate\n<\/div>\n