SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS
Forests. Resources. Communities.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
University and College Accreditation
SAF accredits university and technical school forestry programs. Programmatic accreditation allows an academic institution to demonstrate a commitment to quality and to ensure that its degree programs are performing at the level required by the profession they serve.
SAF accreditation is a form of quality assurance that declares to the professional community and to the world at large, that a degree program meets the quality standards set by the profession.
SAF accreditation applies to degree programs only, not departments, colleges, institutions, or individuals. In the United States, programmatic accreditation is voluntary. Many institutions choose SAF accreditation because it offers several benefits, such as peer-review, recognition of the program’s commitment to quality, and practical insights from the working professionals who review the programs. When a degree program becomes SAF-accredited, it demonstrates to students, parents, and employers that the program:
*Participates in a structured process to assess, evaluate, and improve quality.
*Involves faculty, staff, and students in the self-assessment and continuous improvement process.
*Focuses on learning outcomes.
*Produces graduates who are well prepared for the profession.
*Meets education standards for registration, licensing, and certification boards.
Professional Certification
SAF certification is the gold standard, recognized by the forest industry, government officials, and landowners, for ensuring life-long learning by forestry professionals and for protecting the public's interest in forest management.
There are many advantages to SAF certification:
*Professionalism — Commitment to sustainable forest management.
*Knowledge Base — Continued forestry education helps maintain professional knowledge.
*Increased Public Confidence — Credentialing demands the highest level of ethics and professional principles.
Scientific Publications
The Journal of Forestry is the most widely circulated scholarly forestry journal in the world. In print since 1902, the Journal has received several national awards for excellence. The mission of the Journal of Forestry is to advance the profession of forestry by keeping forest management professionals informed about significant developments and ideas in the many facets of forestry: economics, education and communication, entomology and pathology, fire, forest ecology, geospatial technologies, history, international forestry, measurements, policy, recreation, silviculture, social sciences, soils and hydrology, urban and community forestry, utilization and engineering, and wildlife management. The Journal is published bimonthly.
Forest Science is a peer-reviewed journal publishing fundamental and applied research that explores all aspects of natural and social sciences as they apply to the function and management of the forested ecosystems of the world. Topics include silviculture, forest management, biometrics, economics, entomology & pathology, fire & fuels management, forest ecology, genetics & tree improvement, geospatial technologies, harvesting & utilization, landscape ecology, operations research, forest policy, physiology, recreation, social sciences, soils & hydrology, and wildlife management. Forest Science is published bimonthly.
Forestry News
SAF's newspaper The Forestry Source offers the latest information on national forestry trends; the latest developments in forestry policy at the federal, state, and local levels; the newest advances in forestry-related research and technology; and up-to-date information about SAF programs and activities.
SAF's e-newsletter, The E-Forester, offers a thorough roundup of the week's top forestry news. Covering the states, federal lands, biomass, forest products, international forestry, and more, The E-Forester is the perfect e-news supplement to SAF's monthly newspaper, The Forestry Source. The E-Forester is published most weeks throughout the year.
Government and External Affairs
SAF is dedicated to representing the interests of the professionals who manage, study, and care for our public and private forest resources. Offering a unique, professional perspective to legislators, partners, and other decision makers, SAF strives to advance policies informed by science and practice and ensure that forestry and natural resources professionals are respected and afforded the tools they need to be effective.
Forests have long provided a multitude of benefits and ecosystem services to society. SAF is committed to connecting policymakers and other leaders to the diverse opportunities forest management can provide to cities, suburbs, and rural communities alike. By incorporating forest management into strategies addressing our most pressing environmental and economic challenges, society can begin to appreciate the full value of forests and those dedicated to the profession.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
Quality forest management begins from a strong educational foundation and having the right tools and resources is just the beginning.
No matter where a professional is on the spectrum of learning, there is always room for growth. SAF's continuing forestry education is a great place to start.
Forest Science and Technology
SAF's Forest Science and Technology Board helps develop, disseminate, and use forest science in the public's interest.
The goals of the FS&TB are:
*Helping working groups achieve their objectives in the dissemination and use of forest science;
*Providing the Board of Directors with information and opinions on current and emerging science and technology issues;
*Assisting with providing the science and technology content of the national convention program by planning plenary sessions, technical sessions, and applied forestry field trips.
Working Groups (WGs) are communities of interest for scientific endeavor within SAF.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of editorial board meetings held
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Scientific Publications
Number of Position Statements Approved/Adopted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Government and External Affairs
Context Notes
SAF's national position statements are important components of our advocacy and outreach efforts. They serve as a foundation to guide our actions on particular issues and act as a catalyst to further
Number of conference attendees
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Continuing Education and Professional Development
Context Notes
We report the total number of SAF convention attendees.
Number of organizational partners
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Total dollars received in contributions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Total Number of Donations
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Average number of dollars received per donor
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We challenge landowners, decisionmakers, and society at large to make choices about our forests based on professional knowledge, leading-edge thinking, and a century of practical experience.
We seek viable pathways forward, balancing diverse demands on our natural resources.
We set the standard in forest management, bring science, best practice, and the best people together to actively shape the future of the profession.
"For the greatest good. For the greatest number. For the long run." Gifford Pinchot, SAF's Founder.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
SAF pursues four main strategies for the future of the profession and to advance the practice of forestry. SAF is focused on:
1. Engagement with members and other natural resource professionals.
2. Increasing diversity in the profession.
3. Increasing stakeholder relationships.
4. Diversifying SAF revenues and resources.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have over 116 years of experience as the nation's premier society for the forestry profession. Our 12000 members, over 200 local units, and professional staff of 20 provide the programs and services to meet the needs of evolving forest management. We have set the standard since our founding in 1900.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Our key focus areas for 2016 included member communications, partner relationship building, supporting employers' efforts to help their employees be better engaged in their profession, building a solid framework for future leadership development training efforts, focusing on the needs and values of students and early-career professionals while we collectively work to define and shape the future of the profession, and celebrating excellence within the Society and profession through awards and recognition.
SAF launched a new website and membership database in May 2016. It features more relevant content and a visually appealing look that is easily navigable. The website promises increased engagement in online communities so users can learn from each other and enhanced integration with social media so users can share website content more easily. The site is also more mobile-friendly so users can access the site on a variety of mobile devices.
Developments in scholarly publishing include the May 2016 special issue of the Journal of Forestry that highlighted the important role that science plays in informing wilderness stewardship. Other highlights include the addition of podcasts that feature interviews with Journal of Forestry and Forest Science authors and the adoption of a new submission and peer-review platform called Editorial Manager that will improve the workflow processes of the journals.
Encouraging diversity within SAF enhances the organization's ability to meet its mission to serve society. SAF can better benefit society if it reflects the society it serves. Toward this end, SAF has been working with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of University Forest Resources Programs (NAUFRP) to increase diversity in forestry. SAF also has two specific programs that encourage diversity in the profession: The Student Diversity Ambassador Program and the Gregory Award. A record 72 applications from more than 30 different countries were received for the Gregory Award. This year's recipients are Paula E. Sarigumba, science research specialist at the Environmental Forestry Programme in Southville Binan Laguna, Philippines, and Anukram Adhikary, environmental economist at ForestAction in Kathmandu, Nepal.
We have not yet measured the total acreage under active forest management or otherwise managed by forestry professionals; nor have we measured the total number of continuing education credits offered through our local units.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS
Board of directorsas of 09/06/2017
Dr. Frederick Cubbage
Clark Seely
Dave Lewis
Sidney (Si) Balch
Christa Rogers
Rachel Reyna
Andrew Sanchez Meador
Greg Russell
Jim Thinnes
Wayne Bell
Chris Farley
Mike Murphrey
Lee Crocker
Don Howlett
Rick Standiford
Mike Cloughesy
Keith Blatner
Alexa Denhoff
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes