Forest Investment Associates (FIA) is proud to announce the successful completion of its 2025 re-certification audit of FIA’s U.S. forests to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® 2022 Forest Management Standard. The result yields full re-certification, affirming FIA’s commitment to high standards in sustainable forest management.

In addition to full conformance to the Standard, FIA was recognized for exceeding the requirements in two key areas:

Enhancing biological diversity through increased landscape diversity
Developing a program to assess and manage carbon sequestration

This year’s audit covered nine FIA forest management units across Oregon, Arkansas, and Texas and reflects the collaborative efforts of our field teams, certification managers, and operational leadership.

What is SFI and Why it Matters

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is a leading nonprofit organization that promotes responsible forestry across North America. Its Forest Management Standard includes thorough environmental, social, and economic criteria that certified organizations must meet. These standards aim to:

Protect water quality and biodiversity
Conserve wildlife habitat and endangered species
Respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and traditional forest-related knowledge
Increase climate resilience through sustainable practices

A rough skinned newt found during the Oregon site visits reminds us of biodiversity big and small.

SFI certification is achieved through independent third-party audits, ensuring transparency and accountability.

For FIA, SFI certification is more than a compliance milestone – it’s a foundation for long-term value creation. The firm launched its forest certification program in 2001 and has focused on continual improvement in forest stewardship aligned with the aims of SFI and the best interests of our clients.

“As forest investors, we know that sustainability is not just a value, it’s a long-term strategy, “shares Chad Lincoln, Operations Manager, Southern Region. “We’re proud that FIA continues to meet and exceed this well-recognized standard in the forestry industry.”

A Leadership Transition

This year’s successful audit also marks a moment of leadership transition. After more than 20 years of running FIA’s certification program, Tom Trembath, Operations Manager, Certification, is preparing for retirement. Tom’s deep knowledge and dedication have been essential in developing FIA’s certification efforts. As the next chapter begins, Chad Lincoln will take responsibility for FIA’s Forest certification in the U.S., supported by the FIA operations members of the investment management team and our network of third-party forestry consultants.

tom-and-chad — Tom Trembath (L) and Chad Lincoln (R)

Tom Trembath reflected, “For me, audits have never just been about checking boxes—they’re a mirror we hold up to our management, a way to show the world that we’re doing right by forests, by the communities who depend on them, and by the investors who trust us to provide long-term value. As I hand this work over, I do so with deep confidence in our team’s continued commitment to responsible stewardship—where good forest management is not only a principle, but part of our everyday work managing our client’s forests.”

Moving Forward

With more than 2.1 million acres (as of December 2024) under management, FIA is committed to maintaining an approach centered on environmental responsibility, long-term operational experience, and transparency. SFI certification continues to play a key role in how we manage the forests entrusted to us, support biodiversity, and deliver value to our partners.