WASHINGTON -- The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) have initiated a pilot project today to help "bioenergy companies in the U.S. support responsible forest management through their procurement of woody biomass."

The groups said the project will assist facilities that produce renewable energy or transportation fuels from woody biomass to establish a responsible procurement system. SFI's Fiber Sourcing requirements will be applied for the procurement system, and analysis will be conducted to identify gaps between existing procurement and SFI Fiber Sourcing requirements.

"Woody biomass can be a great source of renewable energy and offers an excellent incentive so landowners can maintain their forests as forests — as long the forest is managed responsibly," said Glenn Prickett, chief external affairs officer for The Nature Conservancy.

Next steps for this project entail the identification of bioenergy facilities that can be project participants and will form the basis of our shared learning.

Posted by Rich Christianson