Responsible Sourcing Requires More Than Technology
Every fiber procurement decision impacts forests, landowners, wildlife, and local communities. That's why International Paper combines innovative sourcing technology with local forestry expertise to make informed, responsible procurement decisions..
ForSite® helps identify areas where additional due diligence may be required before fiber is sourced. But technology is only part of the story. Successful conservation outcomes depend on partnerships among forest landowners, logging professionals, and International Paper's fiber supply teams working together to protect important environmental resources.
What Is ForSite®?
ForSite® is International Paper's innovative mapping and assessment system designed to guide fiber procurement from non-certified forestlands across the United States.
The platform helps:
- Identify the exact location of direct fiber purchases.
- Support responsible sourcing decisions before procurement occurs.
- Apply pre-harvest due diligence when environmental values may be present.
- Enable real-time monitoring through mobile and field-based access.
- Improve supply chain visibility and transparency.
Today, ForSite® has identified approximately 23 million acres where pre-harvest due diligence can be applied, and every uncertified tract is screened through the system before purchase.
The Mansfield Conservation Success Story
Protecting Wildlife and Water Through Streamside Management Zones
A recent project within International Paper's Mansfield mill fiber basin demonstrates how responsible sourcing practices can create meaningful conservation outcomes.
In this example, Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) were retained alongside waterways during forest management activities. These protected areas preserve trees and vegetation near streams, rivers, and other water bodies and are managed differently than surrounding harvested forestland.
The result is a landscape that continues to support both working forests and important environmental resources.
Environmental Benefits of SMZs
Protect Water Quality
SMZs help reduce sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants entering waterways by stabilizing soils and filtering runoff.
Support Diverse Wildlife Habitat
Protected corridors provide diverse habitat and movement pathways for wildlife, including species such as the Red-Eyed Vireo, Marbled Salamander, and White-Tailed Deer.
Reduce Erosion
The root systems of plants help stabilize stream banks, reducing erosion, sedimentation, and preventing the loss of valuable land.
Moderate Water Temperatures
Tree canopy cover and vegetation helps maintain cooler aquatic environments that many species require to thrive.
Mitigate Flooding
Natural vegetation helps slow runoff and improve water absorption during storm events, helping to reduce the severity of floods.
Did You Know?
While ForSite® helps identify environmentally sensitive areas before procurement decisions are made, International Paper also contractually requires its suppliers to follow state water quality best management practices, including the use of Streamside Management Zones (SMZs). Recommended SMZ widths vary by state, and in many cases forest landowners voluntarily maintain buffers that exceed minimum requirements, providing additional protection for water quality, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem health.
Industry Recognition
International Paper's use of ForSite® has been recognized by Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI), which awarded the company the 2024 Innovation in GIS Award for advancing supply chain transparency and delivering conservation outcomes through geospatial technology.
Additionally, ForSite® has undergone an independent evaluation by Preferred by Nature, confirming compliance with its Due Diligence and System Requirements Standards as well as selected sustainability criteria within its Sustainability Framework.
The Foundation of Sustainable Forestry
The Roots of Responsible Sourcing
The success of ForSite® ultimately depends on the millions of private forest landowners throughout International Paper's supply chain. As the unsung heroes of conservation, their commitment to sustainable forest management and collaboration with responsible sourcing programs like ForSite® makes conservation success stories like the Mansfield basin possible.
Together, technology, forestry expertise, supplier partnerships, and landowner stewardship create a more transparent and sustainable fiber supply chain.
