Pennsylvania SFI Implementation Committee Updates: Project Learning Tree

Pending final arrangement of legal and administrative details, the Project Learning Tree program will transfer from the American Forest Foundation (AFF) to Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Inc. this summer. Project Learning Tree (PLT) is a highly regarded program created to advance environmental education through the lens of sustainable forestry geared to educators who teach PreKindergarten through to Grade 12 students. SFI Inc. has long supported the PLT program, as have individual state SFI Implementation Committees (SICs).

SFI is a sustainability organization dedicated to the future of our forests, which includes educating the next generation to care about environmental issues and the responsible management of resources. SFI's community engagement is carried out in many ways, including through SICs, through Community Partnerships grant program, and through direct support of community and education groups such as PLT, Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, and others. A key component of SFI's community engagement is educating youth, to ensure they can be effective future leaders with a strong understanding of the value of responsibly managed forests. Bringing the PLT program into the SFI program offers an exciting opportunity to strengthen SFI's youth education mission.

The AFF Board voted unanimously on May 30 to approve the transfer of the PLT program from AFF to SFI. The program transfer includes funding from AFF to ensure financial support for five years, to offset the annual program deficit. SFI will also initiate a fundraising program to ensure program success beyond those five years. The SFI Board has approved this transfer, pending final arrangement of legal and administrative details, which are expected to be finalized in July.
SFI plans to maintain the incredibly strong PLT state network and staff. The SICs and many of our partners (state agencies, universities, and others) have been a key part of the PLT state network, and SFI looks forward to working with all of you to identify opportunities to build on those existing connections and partnerships and to pursue new opportunities. The SICs will be an asset in supporting and engaging the PLT network.

SFI's vision for PLT is to not only maintain its current success but grow it through the existing network of PLT supporters and the leveraging of SFI's network. This considerable network can elevate PLT's relevance as a critical element for teaching and creating sustainability across North America's forests. PLT and SFI are two organizations with many shared partners, but each organization will be stronger by sharing and leveraging these partnerships.

During the next few months, SFI will endeavor to learn more about PLT's strengths and opportunities to pursue in the future. For updates on the transfer please visit the website. If you have questions or want to share your thoughts, please reach out to our President & CEO Kathy Abusow (613-722-8734), or our COO, Nadine Block (202-596-3456).

For more information about the Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee, please visit the website or call 888-734-9366.