Reports from CAIP Affiliates:
The Society of American Foresters

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, it is the largest professional society for foresters in the world. The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance the science, education, technology, and practice of forestry; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and, to use the knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic of the profession to ensure the continued health and use of forest ecosystems and the present and future availability of forest resources to benefit society. SAF is a nonprofit organization meeting the requirements of 501 (c) (3). SAF members include natural resource professionals in public and private settings, researchers, CEOs, administrators, educators, and students.

Rationale and Goals for International Activities:

Forest policy both domestic and international has implications for foresters in all parts of the world. With SAF’s World Forestry Committee, SAF seeks to engage in forest policy issues in both realms as well as provide opportunities for SAF members to engage internationally, providing their expertise to help accomplish work on the ground or providing scientific information to aide in forest policy decision making.

Over the past several years, SAF has sought to engage in key international policy forums such as the UN Forum on Forests and the World Summit on Sustainable Development. At these forums, SAF delegates have engaged in discussions and provided the latest forestry information to participants and key decision makers. Recently, at the UNFF 4 meeting in Geneva, SAF, through the World Forestry Committee, was able to host a side event to share how professional societies can contribute to the area of forest science and help build our forestry knowledge base. Additionally, SAF is a partner in the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, an outcome of the WSSD meeting in Johannesburg, helping to build capacity in the Congo Basin in Africa. Through SAF’s scientific peer-reviewed publications, the latest scientific information from both domestic and international experts is shared with forests around the globe.

Forestry professionals, from all parts of the globe are welcome as SAF members, provided they meet the membership qualifications. SAF encourages international member participation and helps to facilitate their engagement through the World Forestry Committee and SAF’s International Forestry Working Group.

Additionally, SAF rewards foresters from countries outside the U.S. through its Honorary Membership Award. This award is designed to recognize foresters from outside the US and its territories, Canada, or Mexico, who have made outstanding professional contributions to forestry. Honorary members are individuals who have rendered distinguished service to forestry through development, diffusion and application of forestry knowledge, advancement and benefit of the welfare of society through forestry, and development of society’s awareness of forestry. Recipients of this award receive a certificate and lifetime membership in SAF.

National Convention
Fort Worth, TX
October 19-23, 2005

National Convention
Pittsburgh, PA
Oct. 25-29, 2006

Publications:

Regional journals:
Northern Journal of Applied Forestry
Southern Journal of Applied Forestry
Western Journal of Applied Forestry