2017 SFI Public Summary Report. Timberland Investment Resources, LLC Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Forest Management Standard [ ]

Transcription

1 2017 SFI Public Summary Report Timberland Investment Resources, LLC Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Forest Management Standard [ ] Date: January 12, 2018 Project Scope and Objectives PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) completed a regional Maintenance Assessment on Timberland Investment Resources, LLC (the Company or TIR ) Forest Management in North America for timberland investment properties in four geographical regions. The Lead Assessor was Karen Boyd, EMS (LA). The audit team was accompanied by a Timberland Investment Resources, LLC SFI Representative, Wayne Anthony. The primary objective of the assessment was to assess the Company s SFI management system and to evaluate the Company s implementation of the SFI Standard in the field. There have been no changes to the scope of the certification since the last public summary. Indicators All of the indicators in the SFI Forest Management Standard were within the scope of the assessment, except for performance measure 8.2 within Objective 8 and Objective 13, since none of the land managed by the Company is public land. There were no substitute indicators. Assessment Process On September 11, 2017, the Lead Auditor conducted interviews and reviewed appropriate documentation to assess policies and procedures, and tested the implementation of SFI program requirements at the Central Office. The interviews were conducted in person and via conference call from Little Rock, Arkansas. During September 12 to 15, 2017, the assessment team conducted field assessments in the Western Gulf Region properties; Clear Creek (AR), IP Molagers (AR), Jasper (TX), Brushy Creek (TX), Paces Creek (TX) and Trinity (TX). A closing meeting was held via teleconference on September 18, In total, the audit team spent 1 day conducting interviews and documentation review for the central office and 4 days on-site for field assessments. The audit team visited 10 completed harvest sites, 3 road sites, and 17 silviculture sites. The audit report was dated January 12,

2 TIR has a regional certification for forest management in North America on investment properties owned in four geographical regions involving the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. PwC uses a rotational audit approach where the central office is audited annually and the square root of the total investment properties are sampled on a 5-year rotating schedule that conforms to the International Accreditation Forum Inc. s Mandatory Document 1. Summary of Conformance, Findings, and Good Management Practices FOREST MANAGEMENT SFI Objective Performance Measure Evidence of Conformity Objective 1. Forest Performance Measure 1.1 Evidence: Interviews with, Region Management Planning Program Participants Manager, Central Region and Forest To ensure forest shall ensure that forest Certification Lead; Region Manager, management plans include management plans Western Gulf Region; Senior Investment Analyst; Managing Director, Forest long-term sustainable include long-term harvest Management; Managing Director harvest levels and levels that are sustainable Investment Analysis; Real Estate Specialist; measures to avoid forest and consistent with TIR s Forest Service Provider (FSP) conversion appropriate growth-andyield models. property sampled. Review of TIR foresters for each respective investment Sustainable Forestry Policy and TIR-SFI Program documented procedures. TIR s forest management planning for all company investment properties is centralized in Atlanta, Georgia. Review of TIR's SFI Program Plan TIR-SFI-04 document contains the appropriate size and scale of forest management planning to addresses the requirements of the Standard. Interviews with TIR staff and FSPs confirmed understanding and implementation of TIR s SFI planning process as outlined in TIR-SFI-04-Program Plan. TIR maintains a land classification system that is part of their inventory and GIS. TIR uses known harvest scheduler software, documented forest practices and Growth 2

3 and Yield modeling appropriate to property geographical locations for long-term resource analysis. Harvest schedulers provide recommended sustainable harvest levels where harvest levels does not exceed growth. Performance Measure 1.2 Evidence: Interviews with, Region Program Participants Manager, Central Region and Forest shall not convert one Certification Lead; Region Manager, forest cover type to Western Gulf Region; Senior Investment Analyst; Managing Director, Forest another forest cover type, Management; Managing Director unless in justified Investment Analysis; Real Estate Specialist; circumstances. TIR s Forest Service Provider (FSP) foresters for each respective investment property sampled. Review of TIR-SFI Program documented procedures. Performance Measure 1.3 Program Participants shall not have within the scope of their certification to this SFI Forest Management Standard, forestlands that have been converted to nonforestland use. As per TIR SFI program document and interviews with foresters, TIR rarely converts from one forest type to another. TIR s program document includes an assessment process for forest type conversion that complies with this indicator. Evidence: Interviews with, Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification Lead; Region Manager, Western Gulf Region; Senior Investment Analyst; Managing Director, Forest Management; Managing Director Investment Analysis; Real Estate Specialist; TIR s Forest Service Provider (FSP) foresters for each respective investment property sampled. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy and TIR-SFI Program documented procedures. TIR acquires forestland on behalf of a number of independent investors for the purpose of sustainable forest management, and does not intend to convert to non-forest use. 3

4 Objective 2. Forest Health and Productivity To ensure long-term forest productivity, carbon storage and conservation of forest resources through prompt reforestation, afforestation, minimized chemical use, soil conservation, and protecting forests from damaging agents. Performance Measure 2.1 Evidence: Interviews with, Region Program Participants Manager, Central Region and Forest shall promptly reforest Certification Lead; Region Manager, after final harvest. Western Gulf Region; Senior Investment Analyst; Managing Director, Forest Management; Managing Director Investment Analysis; Real Estate Specialist; TIR s Forest Service Provider (FSP) foresters for each respective investment property sampled. Site visits to reforested sites. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy, TIR-SFI Program documented procedures and planting documents. TIR s SFI program document outlines their reforestation program and includes decision criteria for planting or natural regeneration. Forest Service Providers foresters complete a seedling survival assessment following the first growing season to determine if stocking is adequate and to locate understocked areas. Seedling survival assessments were reviewed during the field assessment. Prompt reforestation occurred per the indicator requirements on regenerated sites visited. TIR does not plan to plant exotic species. TIR documents, monitors and controls nonnative invasive exotics on its' properties. Performance Measure 2.2 Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment Program Participants Foresters and FSP foresters for each shall minimize chemical respective investment property. Site visits to use required to achieve stands with chemical applications. Review of TIR SFI Program documented management objectives procedures, chemical plans, and while protecting application records. employees, neighbors, the public and the TIR s SFI program document includes a environment, including section on their forest chemical program 4

5 wildlife and aquatic habitats. that includes commitment statement to minimize chemical use. Interviews with TIR and Forest Service Providers, field observations and review of chemical plans and application records confirmed well thought out site-specific prescriptions. Review of documentation and interviews confirmed that TIR is not currently using WHO Type 1a/b listed pesticides. TIR does not use pesticides banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2001). No Nonconformities were identified Two Opportunities for Improvement were identified related to considering a more consistent approach to implementing management practices appropriate to the situation, and recording applicator credentials. Performance Measure 2.3 Program Participants shall implement forest management practices to protect and maintain forest and soil productivity. Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment and FSP foresters for each respective investment property sampled. Site visits to harvest, site prep, planting and other silvicultural units. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy, TIR SFI Program documented procedures, Harvest Plans, Harvest Inspections Reports and other Activity Plans. The NRCS Web Soil Survey is used to determine soil characteristics in order to employ appropriate harvest, site preparation, BMP and other silvicultural management prescriptions. Regular site inspections during active harvest and other activities are documented to mitigate compaction/soil disturbance issues. No Nonconformities were identified One Opportunity for Improvement was identified related to considering more detailed guidance/descriptions for operator select thinning prescriptions. Performance Measure 2.4 Program Participants shall manage so as to protect forests from Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment and FSP foresters for each respective investment property sampled. Site visits to harvest and other silvicultural units. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy, 5

6 damaging agents, such as environmentally or economically undesirable wildfire, pests, diseases, and invasive exotic plants and animals, to maintain and improve long-term forest health, productivity, and economic viability. TIR SFI Program documented procedures, Harvest Plans, Harvest Inspections Reports and other Activity Plans. TIR's program includes working with and cooperating with local and state firefighting organizations. They also stay current on future insect and disease issues through research, cooperatives and state level organizations. In addition, their program includes monitoring and following appropriate silvicultural prescriptions to keep their forests healthy. When forest health issues are observed, appropriate actions are taken. Performance Measure 2.5 Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment Program Participants and FSP foresters for each respective that deploy improved investment property sampled. Site visits to planting stock, including harvest and silvicultural units. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy, TIR SFI varietal seedlings, shall Program documented procedures, Harvest use best scientific Plans, Harvest Inspections Reports and methods. other Activity Plans. TIR's SFI Program document outlines their improved planting stock program. TIR actively supports regional tree improvement cooperatives, and use research results and protocols established by them. Objective 3. Protection and Maintenance of Water Resources To protect the water quality of rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands and other water bodies through meeting or exceeding best management practices. Performance Measure 3.1 Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment Program Participants and FSP foresters for each respective shall meet or exceed all investment property sampled. Site visits to applicable federal, harvest, site prep, planting and other silvicultural units. Review of TIR provincial, state and Sustainable Forestry Policy, TIR SFI local water quality laws, Program documented procedures, Harvest and meet or exceed best Plans, Harvest Inspections Reports and management practices other Activity Plans. developed under Canadian or U.S. 6

7 Environmental Protection Agency approved water quality programs. TIR's program to implement Best Management Practices (BMP s) includes advance planning of all forest operations through use of their GIS, on the ground observations and delineation, and contract requirements, including the use of Qualified Logging Professionals. The program also includes timing of management activities based on soils information and routine periodic inspections. Contracts clearly state that BMPs shall be followed. Documented harvest inspections by Forest Service Provider during and at the conclusion of each harvest confirm compliance with state BMPs. Procedures are in place to identify and follow-up on any BMP issues found. Performance Measure 3.2 Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment Program Participants and FSP foresters for each respective shall implement water, investment property sampled. Site visits to wetland and riparian harvest, site prep, planting and other silvicultural units. Review of TIR protection measures Sustainable Forestry Policy, TIR SFI based on soil type, Program documented procedures, Harvest terrain, vegetation, Plans, Harvest Inspections Reports and ecological function, other Activity Plans. harvesting system, and state best management Streams and other water bodies are practices (BMPs), identified per state BMPs using TIR's GIS, provincial guidelines and aerial photography and ground other applicable factors. observations. Contracts clearly state that BMPs shall be followed. In addition, the Program covers the layout and inspection of roads and skid trails. Objective 4. Conservation of Biological Diversity One Nonconformity was identified TIR requires written activity plans per indicator requirements and documentation of monitoring for all activities. However, for the sites sampled, one activity plan had not been created and inspections for several activities had not been documented. Performance Measure 4.1 Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment and FSP foresters for each respective investment property sampled. Site visits to 7

8 To manage the quality and distribution of wildlife habitats and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity by developing and implementing stand-and landscape-level measures that promote a diversity of types of habitat and successful stages, and the conservation of forest plants and animals, including aquatic species, as well as threatened and endangered species, Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value, oldgrowth forests and ecologically important sites. Program Participants shall conserve biological diversity. harvest, site prep, planting and other silvicultural units. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy, TIR SFI Program documented procedures, and related documentation for harvest and silvicultural activities. TIR s SFI program document includes conservation of biological diversity at the stand and landscape level. Interviews with TIR and Forest Service Provider foresters confirm understanding of conservation of biological diversity. Field observations also confirm careful attention to biological diversity at the stand and landscape levels including retaining stand-level wildlife habitat elements. TIR's annual training program includes conservation of biological diversity information and procedures. Diversity of forest cover types is documented on TIR's GIS. State and regional resource databases and aerial imagery are used to protect biodiversity. Forest Service Provider foresters evaluate beyond tract boundaries and incorporate elements of biodiversity into management planning. TIR s SFI program document also includes an invasive species program. Known areas of invasive species are documented on TIR s GIS and monitored in the field. TIR uses prescribed fire primarily to reduce fuel loads to reduce the risk of wildfire, improve conditions for natural regeneration, improve wildlife habitat and remove competing vegetation prior to reforestation. No Nonconformities were identified One Opportunity for Improvement was identified related to considering ways to ensure that information to access state or regional conservation plans remains current (e.g. website addresses). Performance Measure 4.2 Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment and FSP foresters for each respective 8

9 Program Participants shall protect threatened and endangered species, Forests with Exceptional Conservation Values (FECV) and old-growth forests. investment property sampled. Site visits to harvest, site prep, planting and other silvicultural units. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy, TIR SFI Program documented procedures, and related documentation for harvest and silvicultural activities. TIR's program includes an endangered species assessment during property acquisition due diligence. Any known occurrences are identified in TIR's GIS. Forest Service Providers review GIS information prior to initiating any field activities. During harvest and other activities, appropriate management practices to protect any species found are employed. TIR has adopted a definition of old growth and developed a list of resources to help in assessing the quality and importance of any old growth remnant stands that may be identified. At present, TIR has no known old growth forests on their ownership. No Nonconformities were identified One Opportunity for Improvement was identified. The organization could consider alternative means of providing information on T&E, FECV and old-growth forests to TIR staff and Forest Service Providers. Performance Measure 4.3 Program Participants shall manage ecologically important sites in a manner that takes into account their unique qualities. Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment and FSP foresters for each respective investment property sampled. Site visits to harvest, site prep, planting and other silvicultural units. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy, TIR SFI Program documented procedures, and related documentation for harvest and silvicultural activities. TIR consults with natural heritage as well as archeological and historical agencies. Known sites are mapped in their GIS. 9

10 Performance Measure 4.4 Program Participants shall apply knowledge gained through research, science, technology, and field experience to manage wildlife habitat and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity. Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment and FSP foresters for each respective investment property sampled. Site visits to harvest, site prep, planting and other silvicultural units. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy, TIR SFI Program documented procedures, and related documentation for harvest and silvicultural activities. TIR is a member of National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI). Other examples include TIR s individual efforts and/or collaboration with consultants, state agencies and conservation organizations to develop plans to manage wildlife habitat and conserve biological diversity areas found on TIR s ownership. Objective 5. Management of Visual Quality and Recreational Benefits To manage the visual impact of forest operations and provide recreational opportunities for the public. Performance Measure 5.1 Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Investment Program Participants and FSP foresters for each respective shall manage the impact investment property sampled. Site visits to of harvesting on visual harvest, site prep, planting and other silvicultural units. Review of TIR quality. Sustainable Forestry Policy, TIR SFI Program documented procedures, and related documentation for harvest and silvicultural activities. TIR includes Aesthetic specifications in timber contracts. Pre-harvest document includes aesthetic considerations. Reviews of harvest plans, interviews and field observations confirm that aesthetics are considered in harvest, road and other management activities. Performance Measure 5.2 Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Managing Program Participants Director, Investment Analysis, Senior shall manage the size, Investment Analyst, West-Gulf Region Manager, Central Region Manager and 10

11 shape and placement of clear-cut harvests. Forest Certification Lead and FSP foresters. Site visits to final harvest units. Review of related documentation for harvest activities. Average clearcut size and green-up is tracked and documented in TIR s GIS. In some cases, clearcut size on tracts visited exceeded 120 acres, however, the average clearcut size is well below 120 acres. Performance Measure 5.3 Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Managing Program Participants Director, Investment Analysis, Senior shall adopt a green-up Investment Analyst, West-Gulf Region requirement or Manager, Central Region Manager and Forest Certification Lead and FSP alternative methods that foresters. Site visits to final harvest units. provide for visual quality. Review of related documentation for harvest and planting activities. TIR s SFI Program document includes a section on green-up and adjacency that meets the requirements. Average clearcut size and green-up is tracked and documented in TIR s GIS. Performance Measure 5.4 Evidence: Interviews West-Gulf Region Program Participants Manager, Central Region Manager and shall support and Forest Certification Lead and FSP promote recreational foresters. Site visits to sampled units. Review of TIR SFI Program documented opportunities for the procedure. public. Where appropriate, TIR leases its' property for recreational uses. Objective 6. Protection of Special Sites Performance Measure 6.1 Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Managing Program Participants Director, Investment Analysis, Senior shall identify special sites Investment Analyst, West-Gulf Region 11

12 To manage lands that are geologically or culturally important in a manner that takes into account their unique qualities. and manage them in a manner appropriate for their unique features. Manager, Central Region Manager and Forest Certification Lead and FSP foresters. Site visits to sampled units. Review of TIR SFI Program documented procedures and related documentation for harvest and other silvicultural activities. Special sites are identified in TIR's GIS system, and when present, are protected on the ground during forest management activities. Objective 7. Efficient Use of Fiber Resources To minimize waste and ensure the efficient use of fiber resources. Objective 8. Recognize and Respect Indigenous Peoples Rights To recognize and respect Indigenous Peoples rights and traditional knowledge. Performance Measure 7.1 Evidence: Interviews with West-Gulf Program Participants Region Manager, Central Region Manager shall employ appropriate and Forest Certification Lead and FSP forest harvesting foresters. Site visits to harvest units. Review of TIR SFI Program documented technology and in-woods procedures and related documentation for manufacturing processes harvest activities. and practices to minimize waste and ensure efficient TIR's utilization program is designed to utilization of harvested efficiently utilize all merchantable timber trees, where consistent designated for removal. with other SFI Forest Management Standard Objectives. Performance Measure 8.1 Program Participants shall recognize and respect Indigenous Peoples rights. Evidence: Interviews with, Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification Lead; Region Manager, Western Gulf Region; Managing Director, Forest Management. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy and TIR SFI Program documented procedures. TIR has a written policy statement included in their SFI Policy that acknowledges this commitment. 12

13 Performance Measure 8.2 Program Participants with forest management responsibilities on public lands shall confer with affected Indigenous Peoples with respect to sustainable forest management practices. Evidence: Interviews with, Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification Lead; Region Manager, Western Gulf Region; Managing Director, Forest Management. Review of TIR SFI Program documented procedures. Not applicable. TIR does not have forest management responsibilities on public lands. Performance Measure 8.3 Evidence: Interviews with, Region Program Participants are Manager, Central Region and Forest encouraged to Certification Lead; Region Manager, communicate with and Western Gulf Region; Managing Director, Forest Management. Review of TIR shall respond to local Sustainable Forestry Policy and TIR SFI Indigenous Peoples with Program documented procedures. respect to sustainable forest management Tribal entities within defined mileage of practices on their private and/or adjacent to TIR property have been lands. identified. TIR sought input from SFI Inc. and SFI committees for input on communications. Objective 9. Legal and Regulatory Compliance To comply with applicable federal, provincial, state, and local laws and regulations. No Nonconformities were identified One Opportunity for Improvement was identified related to this performance measure. TIR could consider continued information gathering to increase understanding and awareness of forest related knowledge and communicate with Indigenous Peoples they have identified. Performance Measure 9.1 Program Participants shall comply with applicable federal, provincial state and local forestry and related social and environmental laws and regulations. Evidence: Interviews with, Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification Lead; Region Manager, Western Gulf Region; Managing Director, Forest Management and FSP foresters. Site visits to harvest and silvicultural units. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy and TIR SFI Program documented procedures and related documentation for harvest and silvicultural activities. Interviews with TIR staff and Forest Service Provider foresters demonstrate a 13

14 commitment to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws including commitment to social laws and rights of workers. TIR has a system in place to access laws and achieve compliance through requirements in contracts, training, field inspections and corrective actions. Performance Measure 9.2 Evidence: Interviews with, Region Program Participants Manager, Central Region and Forest shall take appropriate Certification Lead; Region Manager, steps to comply with all Western Gulf Region; Managing Director, Forest Management. Review of TIR applicable social laws at Sustainable Forestry Policy and TIR SFI the federal, provincial, Program documented procedures and TIR state and local levels in Employee Handbook. the country in which the Program Participant TIR's written SFI policy includes operates. complying with all local, state and federal regulatory laws including social laws. Interviews with TIR s HR Manager about hiring policies confirmed respect for the rights of workers. Objective 10. Forestry Research, Science and Technology To invest in forestry research, science and technology, upon which sustainable forest management decisions are based and broaden the awareness of climate change impacts on forests, wildlife and biological diversity. Performance Measure Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Managing 10.1 Program Director, Forest Management; Managing Participants shall Director, Investment Analysis; Senior individually and/or Investment Analyst; Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification through cooperative Lead; Region Manager, and Western Gulf efforts involving SFI Region Manager. Site visits to harvest and Implementation silvicultural units. Review of TIR Committees, associations Sustainable Forestry Policy and TIR SFI or other partners provide Program documented procedures and in-kind support or related documentation for harvest and funding for forest silvicultural activities. research to improve forest health, productivity TIR supports forestry research through and sustainable membership, funding and active participation in various associations and management of forest resources, and the 14

15 environmental benefits and performance of forest products. other organizations, both individually and through SFI Implementation Committees. TIR does not directly perform research on genetically engineered trees and is unaware of research being performed by organizations they support. Performance Measure Evidence: Interviews with TIR s TN, TX 10.2 Program SIC representatives; TN, TX SIC websites. Participants shall individually and/or TIR uses state and regional analyses to support their sustainable forestry programs. through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees, associations or other partners develop or use state, provincial or regional analyses in support of their sustainable forestry programs. Performance Measure 10.3 Program Participants shall individually and/or through cooperative efforts involving SFI Implementation Committees, associations or other partners broaden the awareness of climate change impacts on forests, wildlife and biological diversity. Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Managing Director, Forest Management; Managing Director, Investment Analysis; Senior Investment Analyst; Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification Lead; Region Manager, and Western Gulf Region Manager and FSP foresters. Review of TIR Sustainable Forestry Policy and TIR SFI Program documented procedures. TIR periodically reviews available literature and web sites for available information on regional climate models and the potential impacts on the forest and wildlife. TIR also uses state resource assessments and wildlife action plans for the states in which they own land. 15

16 Interviews with TIR and Forest Service Provider foresters demonstrated awareness and knowledge of climate change impacts on forests, wildlife and biological diversity. Objective 11. Training and Education To improve the implementation of sustainable forestry practices through appropriate training and education programs. Performance Measure Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Managing 11.1 Program Director, Forest Management; Managing Participants shall require Director, Investment Analysis; Senior appropriate training of Investment Analyst; Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification personnel and Lead; Region Manager, and Western Gulf contractors so that they Region Manager and FSP foresters. Review are competent to fulfill of TIR SFI Program documented their responsibilities procedures and training under the SFI presentation/records. Forest Management Standard. TIR staff, and Forest Service Provider personnel interviewed understood their roles and responsibilities for achieving SFI Forest Management Standard objectives. Annual training was conducted for TIR staff and Forest Service Providers. Review of documentation confirmed contractors had appropriate training/credentials. Performance Measure Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Managing 11.2 Program Director, Forest Management; Managing Participants shall work Director, Investment Analysis; Senior individually and/or with Investment Analyst; Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification SFI Implementation Lead; Region Manager, and Western Gulf Committees, logging or Region Manager and FSP foresters. Site forestry associations, or visits to harvest and silvicultural units. appropriate agencies or Review of TIR SFI Program documented others in the forestry procedures and related documentation for community to foster harvest and silvicultural activities. improvement in the professionalism of wood TIR participates in state SIC committees which develop and implement state logger producers. 16

17 training and continuing education programs. TIR requires the use of qualified logging professionals per SFI Standard requirements. Objective 12. Community Involvement and Landowner Outreach To broaden the practice of sustainable forestry through public outreach, education and involvement, and to support the efforts of SFI Implementation Committees. Performance Measure Evidence: Interviews with TIR s TN and TX 12.1 Program SIC representatives. Review of Review of Participants shall support TIR SFI Program documented procedures and promote efforts by and TIR s Participation List. consulting foresters, TIR supports education and outreach to state, provincial and landowners through support of state SICs. federal agencies, state or Each state SIC has developed outreach local groups, professional materials for forest landowners that provide societies, conservation guidance on various aspects of forest and organizations, Indigenous wildlife management. Peoples and governments, community groups, sporting organizations, labor, universities, extension agencies, the American Tree Farm System and/or other landowner cooperative programs to apply principles of sustainable forest management. Performance Measure 12.2 Program Participants shall support and promote, at the state, provincial or other appropriate levels, mechanisms for public outreach, education and involvement related to Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Managing Director, Forest Management; Managing Director, Investment Analysis; Senior Investment Analyst; Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification Lead; Region Manager, and Western Gulf Region Manager and FSP foresters. Review of Review of TIR SFI Program documented procedures and TIR s Participation List. 17

18 sustainable forest management. State SICs promote, sponsor, and hold some or all educational opportunities listed in the Standard. TIR employees and their Forest Service Providers also participate individually in public outreach, education and involvement. Objective 13. Public Land Management Responsibilities To participate and implement sustainable forest management on public lands. Performance Measure Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Managing 12.3 Program Director, Forest Management; Managing Participants shall Director, Investment Analysis; Senior establish at the state, Investment Analyst; Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification provincial or other Lead; Region Manager, and Western Gulf appropriate levels, Region Manager and FSP foresters. Review procedures to address of Review of TIR SFI Program documented concerns raised by procedures loggers, consulting foresters, employees, TIR has a process for receiving and unions, the public or responding to inquiries and complaints other Program through the SICs and through their Participants regarding organization. practices that appear inconsistent with the SFI Forest Management Standard principles an objectives. Performance Measure Evidence: Not applicable Program Participants with forest TIR does not manage public lands. management responsibilities on public lands shall participate in the development of public land planning and management processes. 18

19 Objective 14. Communications and Public Reporting To increase transparency and to annually report progress on conformance with the SFI Forest Management Standard. Objective 15. Management Review and Continual Improvement To promote continual improvement in the practice of sustainable forestry by conducting a management review and monitoring performance. Performance Measure 14.1 A Program Participant shall provide a summary audit report, prepared by the certification body, to SFI Inc. after the successful completion of a certification, recertification or surveillance audit to the SFI Forest Management Standard. Evidence: Audit Report, SFI Public Summary Report. PwC prepares an annual SFI audit report. The SFI Public Summary is submitted annually. TIR s latest public summary is at: Performance Measure Evidence: 2016 Annual SFI Report Program Participants shall report TIR has provided resources to ensure annually to SFI Inc. on prompt response to the SFI annual progress report survey, and the 2016 report was their conformance with submitted as required. the SFI Forest Management Standard. Performance Measure Evidence: Interviews with TIR s Managing 15.1 Program Director, Forest Management; Managing Participants shall Director, Investment Analysis; Senior establish a management Investment Analyst; Region Manager, Central Region and Forest Certification review system to examine Lead; Region Manager, and Western Gulf findings and progress in Region Manager. Review of SFI Committee implementing the SFI Meeting Agenda for 12/6/ Forest Management Standard, to make appropriate improvements in programs, and to inform their employees of changes. TIR has a management review system in place to review the previous calendar year's performance and progress in implementing the SFI FM Standard. Results of the management review are communicated to responsible staff and appropriate training is conducted in-orderto continually improve Standard performance. 19

20 Specific Good management practices are noted below: No Nonconformities were identified One Opportunity for Improvement was identified related to considering mechanisms to collect and report information across their organization in a more consistent manner. TIR is working on decision tools for determining the need for fertilization. The organization s GIS/Inventory system includes a data sync feature to keep data consistent and more current for all users. The organization designated selected personnel to be subject matter experts and take the lead on various silvicultural practices. Training on genetics and soils with expert third party was held for all TIR personnel. Several examples of visual quality and landscape level considerations were observed including a hardwood area left unharvested next to an adjoining landowner, uncut buffers left near a home and along public road, and stream zones and wildlife corridors connecting to adjacent internal stands or adjoining property. Conclusion Timberland Investment Resources, LLC continues to be in conformance with the requirements of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Forest Management Standard [ ]. The current certificate can be obtained by contacting Steve Jack of TIR at (404) or on 20