Communities of Interests

Through SAF's Communities of Interests—formerly known as SAF Working Groups—collaborate with other SAF Members with similar passions and interests while enriching forest science and practice. 

“Get involved, influence the profession, and give a voice to forestry!” 

Join a Community of Interest   

Log in to SAF Online Community   

What are Communities of Interests (formerly known as Working Groups)?

  • Communities whose work focuses on enriching forest science and practice. 
  • Communities of practices that connect members across the nation. 
  • Communities of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better through collaboration.

    • What do Communities of Interest do?

  • Disseminate science and technology to the Society. 
  • Provide experts, reviewers, and technical comments on science and technology.
  • Develop, present, and evaluate science and technology programs, workshops, and activities.
  • Enhance the use of science and technology in profession. 
  • Share information and resources to outside professional organizations, decision makers, and the public.
  • Engage in conversation on research, studies, and policy. 

    • Where do Communities of Interest meet?

    The SAF Online Community, powered by Tradewing, provides a space where communities can engage, discuss, and learn from one another. Members will be able to communicate with and ask questions of your peers, share important resources, follow topics of interests, and share conversation-worthy articles. Outside of the online community, officers also regularly host virtual business meetings, and meet ups at the annual convention. 

    Log in to SAF Online Community   

    Leadership Opportunities

    Do you want to help shape science and technology programs at SAF? Are you looking to get more involved in the society? Then please consider becoming a community of interest officer! Officers champion and elevate the work and research being done by professionals in the community and serve as the primary contact. With the support of SAF members and staff, officers define what success looks like for the group. This volunteer position is highly flexible with a time commitment of 1-4 hours/month. If interested, please email [email protected]. 

    Questions?

    For questions or more information, please contact SAF Manager of Science and Technology, at [email protected] .

    Join a Community of Interest 

    Communities are organized by subject area. Explore the subjects and then join!  

    Resources Measurements Subject Area

    A1 - Inventory and Biometrics

    Focus: Collecting, summarizing, and evaluating information in the management and biological study of forests, including forest mensuration, statistical sampling issues, and inventory 
    Chair: Bill Headlee, Ouachita SAF

    A2 - Forest Technology

    Focus: Spatial technologies including data capture, processing, analysis, software, and management solutions that impact forest and natural resource management  
    Seeking leadership for all officer roles.

    Forestry Systems Subject Area

    B1 - Private Forestry

    Focus: Supporting professionals in topics relevant to private and family forest landowners, industrial, timber-investment management organization, tribes, and conservation organizations
    Chair: Emily Huff, MI SAF

    B2 - Urban and Community Forestry

    Focus: Programs, policy, and regulatory laws in urban forest management  

    B3 - International Forestry

    Focus: Policies and practices of forest conservation and management for ecological, social, and economic objectives
    Chair: Andrew Perleberg, WA SAF

    B4 - Agroforestry
    Focus: Windbreaks, riparian buffer plantings, wildlife plantings, alley cropping, block plantings, and forest grazing (silvopasturing)
    Chair: Donna Davis, CO/WY SAF

    B5 - Department of Defense (DoD) Forestry

    Focus: Ecosystem management on military-owned lands while supporting the installation mission
    Seeking leadership for all officer roles

    Ecology and Biology Subject Area

    C1 - Forest Ecology

    Focus: Relationships between forests and the environment, particularly the growth and development of forests  

    Chair: Mary Williams, MN SAF

    C2 - Soils

    Focus: Properties of soils that influence the distribution and growth of trees, and affect management practices
    Chair: Timeka Russell, NY SAF

    C3 - Water Resources

    Focus: Forest hydrology and watershed management 
    Seeking leadership for all officer roles

    C5 - Wildlife and Fish Ecology

    Focus: Interactions of forests and water resources, habitat management, the effects of forest management actions on fish and wildlife resources  
    Seeking leadership for all officer roles 

    C6 - Physiology

    Focus: Tree physiology, tree water use, forest responses to climate change and disturbance, restoration, crown ecology, and biodiversity   

    Chair: Aalap Dixit, SW SAF

    Management and Utilization Subject Area

    D1 - Forest Health and Genetics

    Focus: Forest entomology, forest pathology, forest genetics, tree improvement, integrated forest health, seed orchard management, vegetative propagation, and tissue culture techniques
    Chair: Esteban Galeano, MS

    D2 - Silviculture

    Focus:  Supporting professionals in topics relevant to the science of silviculture to practicing foresters and the research community
    Chair: Adam Polinko, MS SAF

    D3 - Forest Production and Utilization

    Focus: Forest engineering, harvesting, and the manufacturing, marketing, and utilization of forest products 
    Secretary: Alex George, NY SAF. Seeking leadership for chair.

    D4 - Wildland Fire Management

    Focus: Science, technology, research, and application of fire management in support of wildland fire protection, forestry, and rangeland ecosystem programs
    Chair: Stephen Weaver, AP SAF

    Decision Sciences Subject Area

    E1 - Economics, Policy, and Law

    Focus: Role of economics, policy, and law in the management of forests and forest systems 
    Chair: Rajan Parajuli, AP SAF

    E2- Land Use Planning, Organization, and Management

    Focus: Supporting professionals understand land management organization and how to be adapt activities, structure and function for future needs 
    Seeking leadership for all officer roles

    E3 - Bioenergy, Climate Change, and Carbon

    Focus: Climate change, carbon management, and domestic renewable energy and the forests' role in reducing and preventing GHG emissions 
    Chair: David Nicholls

    E4 - Management Science and Operations Research

    Focus: Planning, operations, strategic, and tactical models to facilitate the management of forest resources at scales ranging from individual organisms to global systems 
    Seeking leadership for all officer roles

    E6 - Sustainability and Forest Certification

    Focus: Sustainability theory, criteria and indicators, role of forester certification in forest certification, auditing, labeling, marketing, and acceptance of labeled forest products 
    Chair: Tom Kain, CF, KY/TN SAF

    Social and Related Sciences Subject Area

    F2 - Recreation and Wilderness Management

    Focus: Role of wilderness in natural resources management, as well as on national and international issues 
    Co-Chairs: Taylor Stein, SE SAF & Chad Pierskalla, WV

    F3 - Diversity and Inclusion

    Focus: Creating a community of practice that supports participation by the full diversity of people in the science and management of forests 
    Chair: Rocco Saracina, National Capital

    F4 - Human Dimensions and Education

    Focus: Improving understanding and application of relevant communications and outreach techniques to address forestry-related issues, including environmental education  
    Seeking leadership for all officer roles

    F5 - Philosophy and History

    Focus: the diverse philosophical perspectives—past, present, and future—that drive forest management, including ethics and the philosophy of science
    Chair: Jason Brown, International