Tennessee State Forests Meet High Bar for Sustainable Management

Independent audit confirms state's forestry practices align with rigorous Sustainable Forestry Initiative standards.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry's (TDF) state forest system has successfully completed its latest Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) audit, passing with no corrective action requests or observations. The independent audit confirms that TDF's management approach and practices meet SFI's rigorous standards for sustainable forest management, ensuring Tennessee's state forests continue to deliver clean water, wildlife habitat, timber production and public access for generations to come.

Why it matters

This achievement reflects Tennessee's commitment to responsible, science-based forestry practices that balance economic, environmental and social priorities. Sustainable management of state forests is crucial for maintaining the state's robust forest industry, which comprises 3.2% of the state's economy, supports 94,000 jobs and generates $29.4 billion in economic output.

The details

TDF maintains current documentation and forest management plans for each state forest, using long-term resource analysis, forest inventories and growth modeling. Activities such as prescribed burns, regenerative harvests, invasive species treatments and thinning on small-compartment tracts are selected to support the forest's long-term health, sustainability, resilience and diversity. Tennessee's 16 state forests stretch from mountain coves in East Tennessee to bottomlands along the Mississippi River and were transformed from eroded or unsustainably harvested lands into productive, healthy forests.

  • The latest Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) audit was completed in 2026.

The players

Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF)

The state agency responsible for managing Tennessee's 16 state forests.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI)

A leading authority on sustainable forestry certification, setting rigorous standards for social, economic and environmental impacts.

Heather Slayton

The State Forester of Tennessee.

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What they’re saying

“We are proud of this achievement. It reflects TDF's commitment to ensuring future generations have the same access to forests and their benefits that we enjoy today. Our team manages Tennessee's state forests using rigorous, science-based principles, and regular SFI audits hold us accountable and strengthen our stewardship.”

— Heather Slayton, State Forester (svalleynow.com)

What’s next

TDF will continue to manage Tennessee's state forests using sustainable practices and undergo regular SFI audits to ensure ongoing compliance with the rigorous standards.

The takeaway

Tennessee's successful SFI audit demonstrates the state's leadership in responsible, science-based forestry management. By balancing economic, environmental and social priorities, TDF is ensuring the long-term health and productivity of the state's forests, which are crucial to the state's economy and environment.