Pennsylvania HR 378: A Resolution designating December 17, 2026, as "Sustainable Forestry Initiative Day" in Pennsylvania to commend the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Pennsylvania SFI Implementation Committee for over 30 years of leadership, commitment and impact on the sustainability of this Commonwealth's forests and forest-based communities.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2696 PRINTER'S NO. 3186
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 378
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY CAUSER, PASHINSKI, PICKETT, RAPP, STENDER,
NEILSON, SMITH, ARMANINI, GILLEN AND ZIMMERMAN,
DECEMBER 10, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, APRIL 14, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Designating December 17, 2025 2026, as "Sustainable Forestry
Initiative Day" in Pennsylvania to commend the Sustainable
Forestry Initiative and the Pennsylvania SFI Implementation
Committee for its OVER 30 years of leadership, commitment and
impact on the sustainability of this Commonwealth's forests
and forest-based communities.
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is blessed with nearly 17 million
acres of forestland that provide ecological, economic and
recreational benefits to the citizens of this Commonwealth and
contribute globally through the supply of sustainably sourced
wood products, clean water and wildlife habitats; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's forest products industry remains one
of the Commonwealth's largest manufacturing sectors, employing
tens of thousands of workers and supporting rural economies
across this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, In response to growing concerns in the early 1990s
about forest sustainability and industry practices, the forest
products industry launched the Sustainable Forestry Initiative
(SFI) in 1995 to promote responsible environmental stewardship
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through a commitment to sustainable forestry practices; and
WHEREAS, The same year, the Pennsylvania SFI Implementation
Committee (PA SIC) was formed to ensure the successful and
locally adapted implementation of SFI standards and principles
across this Commonwealth, making Pennsylvania one of the
original State-level leaders in the program; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 30 years, the PA SIC has delivered
innovative logger training, landowner outreach and public
education programs that have improved forest health, advanced
best management practices and supported sustainable timber
harvesting across Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The PA SIC has trained more than 8,000 loggers,
foresters and landowners in its Professional Timber Harvester
Training Program and has developed, compiled and distributed
countless resources encouraging responsible forestry on private
lands; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania SFI Implementation Committee
continues to engage with educators, policymakers,
conservationists and industry leaders to build consensus and
foster collaborative forest stewardship that benefits both
people and the environment; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
December 17, 2025 2026, as "Sustainable Forestry Initiative Day"
in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend the
Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Pennsylvania SFI
Implementation Committee for its OVER 30 years of leadership,
commitment and impact on the sustainability of this
Commonwealth's forests and forest-based communities; and be it
further
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives reaffirm its
support for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative as a voluntary,
science-based program that promotes environmental stewardship,
economic opportunity and education throughout the forest sector;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge continued
cooperation among forest landowners, industry partners,
educators, conservationists and public agencies in support of
the goals and principles of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative
across this Commonwealth.
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