About Forests in Focus

Forests In Focus Is Built On Collaboration

We believe that healthy, resilient forests come from collaboration along the whole supply chain, from the tree farmers all the way to the brands that use forest products. That’s why the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) and the American Forest Foundation (AFF) teamed up to develop a tool that helps brands better understand the forests they rely on for products and packaging, and invest in maintaining and restoring these important systems.

Designed with Family Forest Owners in Mind

Understanding who owns our forests and how they are being managed is crucial to planning for a sustainable fiber supply and healthy, resilient forests into the future. In the United States, 38% of forest land is owned by [private] individual and family forests owners^{1, 2}. These forests supply approximately 50% or more of the wood that flows into US supply chains, yet less than 1% of this land is certified^{3, 4}. Widespread certification adoption by family forest owners is made more difficult for this diverse group. Challenges include the sheer number (>10 million) of owners, coupled with small average parcel sizes (< 10 acres), infrequent and small scale harvests (most will harvest only once In a lifetime), variable reasons for ownership (e.g., aesthetic value, wildlife habitat, family legacy… etc.) and the relatively high costs of forest certification⁵.

Forests in Focus was created with these challenges in mind. Our platform helps members gain a deeper understanding of the sustainability considerations in the regions where they source, while also identifying opportunities to engage with conservation organizations and family forest owners to achieve positive sustainability outcomes.

Offers a Robust Landscape-Level Analysis

Powered by trusted data from the USDA Forest Service, NatureServe and others*, Forests in Focus employs a landscape-level analysis of US timberland to assess risks and opportunities where forest products are sourced.

The platform includes data on:

• Land Use Change
• Forest Carbon
• Imperiled Species
• Imperiled Ecosystems
• GMO Trees
• Illegal Harvesting
• Ownership & Certification
• Impact / Mitigation Projects

To learn more check out our Explore Data page.

Who We Are

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition is a trademark project of GreenBlue. GreenBlue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the sustainable use of materials in society. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition is a membership-based collaborative that believes in the power of industry to make packaging more sustainable. We are the leading voice on sustainable packaging and are passionate about creating packaging that is good for people + the environment.

The American Forest Foundation (AFF) works on the ground with families, partners and elected officials to promote forest stewardship and protect our nation’s forest heritage. A commitment to the next generation unites our nationwide network of forest owners working to keep our forests healthy and producing the clean water, wildlife habitat and sustainable wood supplies that all Americans count on from forests.

Staff

Memorie English
Southeast Strategic Partnerships Manager, The American Forest Foundation

Tom Pollock
Associate Director, SPC