Promoting Sustainable Tropical Forest Management: Our Mission

The first step in forest sustainability.
The Tropical Forest Foundation's Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) program is a set of practices that support a more responsible, sustainably managed forest by harvesting in a way that minimizes damage to streams, wildlife, and non-harvest trees while providing an economic benefit to support the local people.
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About TFF

Mission

Promoting Sustainable Tropical Forest Management

The Tropical Forest Foundation’s (TFF) primary mission is to promote sustainable forest management as the best way to preserve the renewable resources and natural habitats of tropical forests. If the economic value of the forest is not protected it will be converted, legally or illegally, to other uses such as agriculture. Through on-site demonstration and training, research and outreach, the organization aims to effect behavioral change and encourage the practice of sustainable forest management among industries that utilize tropical wood products.

TFF offers a variety of services and programs that bring its mission of conserving and maintaining the world’s tropical forest resources to life.

TFF products and services include

Verification
Verification is an affordable, less complicated stepping stone to aid tropical forest managers and communities in implementing sustainable forest management. TFF RIL Verified® sets a Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) standard and a transparent system for verifying compliance and Chain of Custody (CoC). TFF’s verifications are scientifically credible and peer-reviewed. TFF’s Forest-Market Linking Program connects producers and consumers of sustainably harvested tropical wood products.

The TFF project directors in South America, Congo Basin and Asia Pacific regions are available to assist timber companies in qualifying and verifying the source of their tropical wood products.

Education
TFF provides affordable classroom and on-the-ground training programs in sustainable forest management principles. TFF training also advances environmental, economic and social sustainability through the education and implementation of reduced impact logging.

Demonstration
TFF has become widely recognized for establishing on-site demonstration models to show the advantages and teach the principles of sustainable forest management through the application of reduced impact logging practices.

Carbon Offset CreditS
TFF’s leadership involves world authorities on both the scientific and commercial sides of evaluating carbon offsets through Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD). TFF is therefore positioned to assist governments, organizations, companies and landowners in evaluating carbon offset opportunities.