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’s Mission
The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance sustainable management of forest resources through science, education, and technology, promoting professional excellence while ensuring the continued health, integrity, and use of forests to benefit society in perpetuity.
SAF History
Forestry as a profession in the United States began to emerge in the late 1800s. In 1889, George Vanderbilt hired Gifford Pinchot, a European-trained forester, to manage the forest at the Biltmore Estate, making it the nation’s first professionally managed forest. Shortly after, Congress passed the Forest Reserves Act of 1891, creating 40 million acres of forest reserves, followed by the Organic Act of 1897, which established management practices for these lands. At the time, fewer than ten individuals in the country had formal forestry training, all of whom studied in Europe. That shifted in 1898 with the founding of the Biltmore Forest School and Cornell’s New York State College of Forestry, soon followed by the Yale School of Forestry, laying the foundation for professional forestry education in the U.S.
Recognizing the importance of high standards and professional unity, Pinchot convened seven foresters at the Department of Agriculture on November 30, 1900, leading to the creation of the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Pinchot served as SAF’s first president, guiding its early years. Over time, the Society grew significantly, launching national meetings, publishing the Journal of Forestry in 1917, accrediting forestry programs starting in 1935, and establishing the Certified Forester program in 1994. SAF also expanded communication efforts with The Forestry Source newspaper in 1995. Today, with more than 10,000 members, SAF continues to fulfill its mission of advancing forestry, fostering professional community, and sharing knowledge about the latest developments in forest science and management.
SAF Organizational Structure
SAF has a Board of Directors, a House of Society Delegates, 11 National Committees, 30 State Societies, and 25 Communities of Interest. Each body has its own unique roles and responsibilities that contribute to SAF’s success.
Board of Directors | House of Society Delegates | National Committees | State Societies | Student Chapters
Southwestern SECTION | Society of American Foresters 