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Please book your hotel accommodations now. Our reserved block is currently full on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Westin Ottawa, but there is still availability on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 27-28. See more hotel information details below.
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Canada's Abundant Forest Resource
Listen to Canada's Minister of Natural Resources discuss the importance of Canada's forests in combating climate change, providing habitat for species at risk as well as the importance of the resource in supporting stable economies for communities and Indigenous peoples across Canada. Hear perspectives on the importance of utilizing the resource in a global economic environment. Also, hear an industry perspective on Canadian forests and global initiatives, from the Forest Products Association of Canada's CEO.
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- The Honourable Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources
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- Derek Nighbor, CEO, Forest Products Association of Canada
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Global Policies and Markets
G
et the latest update on global geospatial tools applied to the forest sector and the implications for sustainable forest management in North America. Hear insights on elevating sustainable forest management on the global agenda and implications in North Americ
a.
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- Rod Taylor, Global Director, Forests Program, World Resources Institute
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Boreal Watersheds and Wildlife Conservation
Forty percent of North American ducks visit the boreal forest each year to raise their young. The boreal forest also filters water, stores carbon and provides an abundance of jobs in rural communities. Hear how Ducks Unlimited Canada has partnered with SFI to improve wetland protection not only in the boreal but across the U.S. and Canada, and how a national wetland guide and accompanying wetland crossings guidelines are helping conserve both wildlife and livelihoods.
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- Karla Guyn, CEO, Ducks Unlimited Canada
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Collaborating for Conservation of Managed Forested Landscapes
Hear from leaders in forest conservation and research, who will share current developments in conservation science, and offer perspectives on the critical role of working forests in attaining conservation outcomes. Learn about research elevating conservation through the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program, as well as ways in which practical conservation approaches, in partnership with working lands, can achieve meaningful scale in North American forests.
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- Fiona Schmiegelow, Professor and Director, Northern Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program,
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- Joel Bonin, Director, Nature Conservancy of Canada
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- Tom Duffus, Vice President, Midwest Region and Northeast Representative, Conservation Acquisition,
The Conservation Fund
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Global Trends in Supply Chain Management
Gain insights into key opportunities to address conservation through markets and sustainability policies. Hear how the Sustainable Biomass Program is managing conservation challenges and seeking new collaborative opportunities.
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- Julia Marton-Lefèrve, Chair, Advisory Board, Sustainable Biomass Program
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Provincial Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities Linked to the Future of the Forest Sector
In Canada the provinces have the responsibility for forest management. Hear from leaders from New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia, as they share their insights on the critical role that conservation and sustainable forestry play in addressing climate change, the demands of the marketplace and in creating opportunities for rural and Indigenous communities. Speakers will explore species at risk, forest product innovations, market acceptance and growth of forest products. Each province will offer their perspectives on past successes and future opportunities.
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- Session Leader: Kevin Edgson, President and CEO, EACOM Timber Corporation
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- Jason Fisher, Associate Deputy Minister, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, British Columbia
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- Ronald Brizard Associate Deputy Minister - Forestry, Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, Government of Quebec
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- Kathleen McFadden, Assistant Deputy Minister at Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario
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- Thomas MacFarlane, Assistant Deputy Minister, Renewable Resources and Operations, Energy and Resource Development, New Brunswick
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Connecting Youth to Forests
Fostering an appreciation and understanding of the natural world is critical to healthy mental and physical development in youth. But today's American and Canadian kids spend more time indoors than previous generations. That's why a key component of SFI's community engagement is educating youth, to ensure they can be effective future leaders and have a strong understanding of the value of responsibly managed forests. Hear how SFI's key partners are helping us inspire youth and move them from "screen time to tree time."
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- Rob Keen, CEO, Forests Ontario
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The SFI Fiber Sourcing Story
The SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard is relevant throughout the forest products supply chain - from family forest owners to brandowners. Learn about opportunities to encourage the spread of responsible forest management and hear how these organizations are procuring wood and managing supply chains responsibly.
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- Lynn Wilson, Director, Natural Resources, Louisiana-Pacific
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- Laura Thompson, Director of Technical Marketing and Sustainable Development, Sappi North America
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- George D'Urso, Director, Sustainability, WestRock
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- Scott Jones, CEO, Forest Landowners Association
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Driving Innovation in Canadian Forestry
Hear from Canada's senior government official on forestry. Markets, science, and sustainable forestry are all within the mandate of the Canadian Forest Service. Canadian forests face the challenges of climate change, human development but also offer opportunities in the bio-economy, sequestering carbon and providing habitat for wildlife species. Hear how the Canadian Forest Service is addressing these key issues.
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- Glenn Mason, Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada
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Algonquin Nation Welcome and First Nations Drum Group Be part of an official welcome from the Algonquin Nation, on whose traditional territory we are gathering for the conference. This welcome also acknowledges the Algonquin Nation as the past, present and future caretakers of this land. Learn about the significance of the forest as the place the Algonquin people go to get the things they need to live, the importance of the Algonquin River and Algonquin canoe, as well as the significance of different aspects of the welcoming and drumming ceremony.
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- Elder Claudette Commanda, Algonquin Elder, Kitigan Zibi
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Progressive Aboriginal Relations - from Forest Management to Housing
Indigenous people have an important role in North American forestry. Indigenous and company leaders will discuss the business case for advancing indigenous partnerships and recent successes. Topics will include youth engagement, systematic approaches to partnerships and a perspective on future challenges.
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- Session Leader: Mark Rodgers, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada and SFI Board Chairman
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- JP Gladu, President and CEO, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
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- Jeff Zweig, President and CEO, Timberwest
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Green Building and Corporate Social Responsibility
Green building is a key market driver to ensure wood and paper products come from responsibly managed forests, which provide so many benefits including cleaning our air and water, supporting biodiversity, and providing employment. Learn how linking green buildings to these benefits is an important way to show how forest products support corporate social responsibility. [Key speakers to be announced.]
SFI - Dedicated to the Future of our Forests and Quality of Life
Learn about SFI's role as a solutions-oriented sustainability organization. See how we collaborate on forest-based conservation and community initiatives that demonstrate and enhance our shared quality of life. And learn how SFI also provides supply chain assurances for brandowners and consumers around the world. Hear how our broader network of conservation, community, Indigenous peoples, government, business and other partners is helping us live up to the idea of "Forests. A way of life."
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- Kathy Abusow, President and CEO, SFI Inc.
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The
SFI Annual Conference
is a must attend event if you want to be part of the conversation about the vital importance of our forests! Our sessions are shaping up nicely and they feature a diverse range of thought leaders and influencers. Celebrated in conjunction with Canada's 150th anniversary, our sessions tie directly to North American and global discussions on the future of the forest sector. In addition, we'll host joint sessions on Thursday, Sept. 28 with the Canadian Institute of Forestry's conference attendees, to celebrate and discuss forestry in Canada.
This year's conference theme - Forests. A Way of Life. - highlights how we all depend on forests whether we are harvesting professionals, landowners, forest managers, producers, customers, Indigenous peoples, conservation and community partners, academics, or individuals using forests for recreation.
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Hotel Reservations
Reserve
your room online, or call 1-800-WESTIN-1 and ask for "2017 SFI Annual Conference" or "Sustainable Forestry Initiative" group rate
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Travel Information
Visit the conference
website
for information on travel and accommodations. Check out our latest transportation discounts too.
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Room rate: $249 (CAD) plus tax
SFI Negotiated Hotel Room Rate cut-off date: Friday, August 25, 2017.
(Rate and space available on first-come, first-serve basis, and may sell out before the August 25 cut off, so book soon.)
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For more information about how your organization can sponsor this year's conference and deliver your message directly to the SFI community, contact
Amy Doty
/ 202-596-3458.
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