SFI Announces Second Round of Funded Support for Indigenous-Led Climate Smart Forestry in Canada
Press Release
April 30, 2026
Ottawa, ON—The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) is proud to announce funding awards to eight projects to Indigenous partners advancing Indigenous-led Climate Smart Forestry (CSF) in Canada. Building on the momentum of the first round of funding, SFI has committed 2 million in funding to support Indigenous-led CSF projects as they implement innovative strategies that strengthen forest resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and uphold Indigenous values in forest stewardship. The projects are part of the SFI Climate Smart Forestry Initiative – an effort to advance the interpretation and implementation of CSF practices across the SFI Canadian and U.S. footprint of more than 145 million certified hectares / 350 million certified acres.
“With this second round of funding, we are broadening the impact of Indigenous-led solutions that will help sustain forest health and advance climate action at a landscape scale.” said Lauren T. Cooper, Chief Conservation Officer of SFI. “The responses to our calls have demonstrated the depth of leadership, expertise, and vision that Indigenous communities bring to climate-informed forest management.”
The selected projects include a broad range of climate-related forestry priorities that advance values identified by participating Indigenous communities. These initiatives include enhanced monitoring of climate impacts, innovative silvicultural approaches, assessments to inform long-term forest planning, and restoration efforts designed to respond to changing ecological conditions. The awarded funding is the result of a second call for requests for proposals, launched by SFI in summer 2025 to expand support for Indigenous‑led CSF projects.
The Indigenous organizations leading this work include:
| ORGANIZATION PROVINCE | PROJECT OBJECTIVE |
| Atikamekw of Manawan
Quebec |
Implement sylvicultural treatments for improved moose habitat and climate adaptation/mitigation benefits |
| Innu Council of Pessamit
Quebec |
Advance CSF strategies for southern deciduous species through fire risk analysis, assisted migration, and integration of Innu Knowledge |
| K’en T’em Limited Partnership & Stuwix Resources Joint Venture
British Columbia |
Evaluate the effects of ecological anchors used in harvesting practices and quantify impacts on plants and soil moisture to inform CSF |
| Kitasoo Forest Company
British Columbia |
Restore priority landslides to stabilize slopes and revegetate climate resilient species to reduce sedimentation into waterways |
| Nazko First Nation
British Columbia |
Develop foundational forest resource data that integrates ecological and cultural values to support climate smart tenure decision-making for modelling future scenarios |
| Nk’Mip Forestry LLP (Osoyoos Indian Band)
British Columbia |
Post-fire restoration to support biodiversity and promote resilience through intentional replanting and ecological restoration |
| SkyWest Environmental Inc.
British Columbia |
Deploy new harvesting tools in high-density, small diameter stands to redirect into fiber utilization pathways |
| Wahkohtowin Development GP Inc.
Ontario |
Expand the existing Herbicide Alternatives Program (HAP) and develop standardized protocols for pre-harvest vegetation assessments |
The SFI CSF Initiative focuses on both enhancing the carbon sink and reducing sources of emissions from the forest sector while achieving co-benefits for biodiversity and wildfire risk reduction. The SFI CSF Initiative works directly with experts, Indigenous partners, and SFI-certified organizations to reduce net GHG emissions by identifying, developing, and implementing practices that meet the SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard CSF objectives. The SFI CSF Initiative is building collaborative relationships to advance Climate-informed Principles (CLIPs) – an effort to develop science-based guidance to support the interpretation and implementation of CSF objectives in the SFI 2022 Forest Management Standard.
Learn more about the first round of funded Indigenous-led Climate Smart Forestry recipients: https://forests.org/support-for-indigenous-led-climate-smart-forestry/
Learn more about SFI Climate Smart Forestry Initiative: https://forests.org/climate-smart-forestry/
Funding supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada
ILR4
