(sustainable forestry) (SFM) this evolving concept has several definitions 1. the practice of meeting the forest resource needs and values of the present without compromising the similar capability of future generations —note sustainable forest management involves practicing a land stewardship ethic that integrates the reforestation, managing, growing, nurturing, and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, air and water quality, wildlife and fish habitat, and aesthetics (UN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio De Janeiro, 1992) 2. the stewardship and use of forests and forest lands in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality, and potential to fulfill, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic, and social functions at local, national, and global levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems (the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, Helsinki, 1993) —note criteria for sustainable forestry include (a) conservation of biological diversity, (b) maintenance of productive capacity of forest ecosystems, (c) maintenance of forest ecosystem health and vitality, (d) conservation and maintenance of soil and water resources, (e) maintenance of forest contributions to global carbon cycles, (f) maintenance and enhancement of long-term multiple socioeconomic benefits to meet the needs of societies, and (g) a legal, institutional, and economic framework for forest conservation and sustainable management (Montréal Process, 1993) —see biological legacy, certify, chain of custody, criteria and indicators, criterion, ecosystem management This definition last updated 10/23/2008