In the presented study, the presence of innovative infrastructure of the forestry complex in the industry is considered as a factor in the sustainable development of the industry. An analysis of the presence and level of development of innovative infrastructure of scientific and educational institutions of forestry and related industries was carried out, the features of their organization in Russia were considered, an assessment of the scale, resource base and effectiveness of their activities was given, according to such parameters of the effectiveness of research activities as patent activity and practical implementation results of intellectual activity. In accordance with the study, the problems of scientific and technological sustainable development of the forestry complex are identified. It has been established that the leading positions in the creation of innovative technologies and equipment in the field of the forestry complex and the intensity of their transfer are occupied by those higher education institutions that are provided with an innovative infrastructure. It has been proven that insufficiently effective interaction between subjects of innovation, problems of commercialization of innovations and technology transfer, and the state of innovation infrastructure hinder the sustainable development of the forestry complex. It has been determined that without the development of specialized objects of innovation infrastructure in higher educational institutions, it is impossible to build a system for managing intellectual property in them, and therefore, their transfer and commercialization of the results of intellectual activity belonging to them into economic circulation.