List of Working Groups

A – Resources Measurements Subject Area

A1 - Inventory And Biometrics:

Focuses on collecting, summarizing, evaluating and applying information data in the management and biological study of forests including forest mensuration, statistical sampling issues, and inventory.

A2 - Remote Sensing And Geospatial Applications:

Focuses on the applications of remote sensing and fosters the integration of remote sensing, geographic information systems and related spatial technologies including computer hardware, software, geographic data, and how to efficiently process and analyze information.

B – Forestry Systems Subject Area

B1 - Private Forestry:

Focuses on the helping forestry professionals understand and address the issues confronting the nation’s private forest owners and in particular, family forest owners but includes topics relevant to industrial, timber investment management, tribal, conservation organizations, and other private ownership groups.

B2 - Urban and Community Forestry:

Focuses on issues, programs, policy, and regulatory laws in urban forest management.

B3 - International Forestry:

Focuses on international forestry issues including the policies and practices of forest conservation and management for ecological, social, and economic objectives.

B4 - Agroforestry:

Focuses on all aspects of agroforestry including windbreaks, riparian buffer plantings, wildlife plantings, alleycropping, block plantings, and forest grazing (silvopasturing).

C – Ecology and Biology Subject Area

C1 - Forest Ecology:

Focuses on the relationships between forests and the environment and the growth and development of forests.

C2 - Soils:

Focuses on the properties of soils that influence the distribution and growth of trees and affect management practices.

C3 - Water Resources:

Focuses on all aspects of forest hydrology and watershed management.

C5 - Wildlife and Fish Ecology:

Focuses on the relationship of forests and forest management on fish and wildlife resources.

C6 - Physiology:

Focuses on physiology and ecophysiology at the individual tree, stand, and landscape levels.

D – Management & Utilization Subject Area

D1 - Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement:

Focuses on genetics including gene conservation, selection and breeding, seed orchard management, vegetative propagation, and tissue culture techniques.

D2 - Silviculture:

Focuses on disseminating information on the science of silviculture to practicing foresters and the research community.

D3 - Forest Production and Utilization:

Focuses on forest engineering, harvesting and the manufacturing, marketing and utilization of forest products.

D4 - Fire:

Focuses on the science, technology, research and application of fire management in support of wildland fire protection, forestry, and rangeland ecosystem programs.

D5 - Forest Pathology and Entomology:

Focuses on forest insects and diseases including invasive species.

E – Decision Sciences Subject Area

E1 - Economics, Policy and Law:

Focuses on the economic, legal, and policy issues affecting natural resource management.

E2 - Land Use Planning Organization and Management:

Focuses on how an organization anticipates the future and moves to adapt its activities, structure, and function to be an effective land management organization.

E3 - Bioenergy, Climate Change, and Carbon Working Group:

Focuses on climate change, carbon management, and domestic renewable energy and the forests' role in reducing and preventing GHG emissions.

E4 - Management Science and Operations Research:

Focuses on the planning, operations, strategic and tactical models to facilitate the management of forest resources at scales ranging from individual organisms to global.

E6 - Sustainability and Forest Certification:

Focuses on sustainable forestry and forest certification including sustainable management; trade issues; forester credentialing; forest auditing; and labeled forest products.

F – Social & Related Sciences Subject Area

F1 - Wilderness Management:

Focuses on the role of wilderness in natural resources management and on national and international issues.

F2 - Recreation:

Focuses on recreation sites and facilities, dispersed recreation, landscape, cultural and historical resources, interpretative services, and other outdoor recreation activities.

F3 - Outreach and Education Working Group:

Focuses on communications and outreach techniques including environmental education for both youth and adults.

F4 - Human Dimensions Working Group:

Focuses on the integration of human beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors regarding natural resources into natural resource management, planning, decision making, and actions.

F5 - Philosophy and History:

Focuses on the diverse philosophical backgrounds -past, present, and future--that drive forest management including ethics and the philosophy of science.

For information regarding Working Group activities, discussion lists, upcoming meetings, and information, please visit the forestry professional page.