MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 21 -- International Paper has announced the creation of an Office of Sustainability to champion company-wide conservation and natural resources stewardship strategies and to support the environmental goals of our customers.

The Office will focus its efforts around wood fiber, conservation, air, water, life-cycle analysis and other natural resources issues as they pertain to the needs of International Paper customers. The team's work will include raising awareness of key sustainability issues, leading third-party certification and product labeling efforts, developing innovative partnerships with stakeholders and implementing policies that support the company's sustainability objectives.

Dr. Sharon G. Haines will lead the office. She has been with International Paper for more than 30 years and has been integral in developing many of the company's innovative partnerships with conservation groups such as Environmental Defense, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, National Audobon Society and NatureServe.

"The office of sustainability brings together efforts from across the company to promote conservation and natural resource stewardship and to support our customers' needs," said John Faraci, International Paper chairman and CEO. "Sharon's numerous contributions, credentials and experience will bring strong leadership to the role."

As International Paper's director of sustainable forestry and forest policy, Dr. Haines championed projects such as the creation of a habitat conservation plan and mitigation bank for the endangered red cockaded woodpecker on company forestland in Georgia and the reintroduction of the boulder darter to the Tennessee River system. In addition, her collaboration with the National Audobon Society on a three-year study of biodiversity on International Paper's managed hardwood forests identified the second highest concentration of amphibians in the U.S.

Dr. Haines is a Society of American Foresters Fellow, a member of the National Commission on the Science of Sustainable Forestry and works with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. She managed the Biodiversity Conservation on Private Lands project under the George H. W. Bush Presidential Commission on Environmental Quality and is a member of the Forests Dialogue-a cross-section of industry, environmental and social organizations to identify solutions to complex environmental issues.