Interfor receives SFI certification for recently acquired Grand Forks and Castlegar Woods Divisions in south east British Columbia; all company's woodlands now SFI certified

Lorena Madrigal

VANCOUVER, British Columbia , August 31, 2011 (press release) – As part of its broad commitment to sustainable forest management, Interfor announced today it has achieved third-party certification to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) standard for its recently acquired Grand Forks and Castlegar Woods Divisions in south east British Columbia.

All of Interfor's woodlands in BC are now certified to SFI. Interfor has been a leader in forest certification – in 2001, its Coastal Woodlands became the first public lands in Canada to be certified to the SFI standard.

"With SFI forest certification, Interfor is demonstrating our commitment to sustainable forest management. We are proud to be part of one of the world's leading forest certification programs," said Ric Slaco, VP and Chief Forester.

Non-profit SFI is a comprehensive, independent certification program that works with environmental, social and industry partners to promote sustainable forest management in North America and responsible fibre sourcing worldwide. More than 73 million hectares are certified to the SFI forest management standard in North America making it the largest single forest standard in the world. The standard is based on 14 core principles that promote sustainable forest management, including measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk, and Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value.

"Interfor joins progressive organizations that are demonstrating their leadership by certifying their lands to the SFI standard," said SFI President and CEO Kathy Abusow. "This is especially important at a time when just 10 per cent of the world's forests are certified and demand for products from certified forests is rising."

In the spring of 2011 Interfor also certified its Grand Forks and Castlegar sawmills to both SFI and PEFC chain of custody.

"SFI and PEFC chain-of-custody certification means our customers know they are supporting sustainable forest management when they buy our wood products," said Steven Hofer, VP Sales & Marketing.

As part of its forest certification, Interfor is required to undergo annual surveillance audits as well as full certification to the SFI 2010-2014 standard every three years. The audits are conducted by an independent, accredited certification body, and audit summaries are posted on the SFI website at www.sfiprogram.org/forest_certification_audits_reports.cfm.

About Interfor

Interfor is one of the Pacific Northwest's largest producers of quality wood products. The Company has operations in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon, including two sawmills in the Coastal region of British Columbia, three in the B.C. Interior, two in Washington and two in Oregon. For more information about Interfor, visit our website at www.interfor.com.

About SFI Inc.

SFI Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, and is solely responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving the internationally recognized Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program (www.sfiprogram.org). Across North America, more than 73 million hectares are certified to the SFI forest management standard, making it the largest single forest standard in the world. SFI chain-of-custody certification tells buyers the percentage of fibre from certified forests, certified sourcing and/or post-consumer recycled content. The SFI program's unique fibre sourcing requirements promote responsible forest management on all suppliers' lands. SFI Inc. is governed by a three-chamber board of directors representing environmental, social and economic sectors equally.

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