A – Resources Measurements Subject Area
A1 - Inventory and Biometrics
Focuses on collecting, summarizing, evaluating, and applying information in the management and biological study of forests, including forest mensuration, statistical sampling issues, and inventory
A2 - Forest Technology
Focuses on spatial technologies including data capture, processing, analysis, software, and management solutions that impact forest and natural resource management from rural to urban landscapes. This group will focus on the practical use of modern technologies that can provide lasting benefits for today’s forest managers as they respond to increasingly challenging and rapidly evolving demands.
B – Forestry Systems Subject Area
B1 - Private Forestry
Focuses on helping forestry professionals understand and address the issues confronting the nation’s private forest landowners and, in particular, family forest landowners, but also includes topics relevant to industrial, timber-investment management organization, tribes, 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, alley cropping, block plantings, and forest grazing (silvopasturing)
New! B5 - Department of Defense (DoD) Forestry
Focuses on ecosystem management on military-owned lands while supporting the installation mission. This community provides active engagement in sharing successes, lessons learned, problem-solving unique challenges, research/technology innovations, and policy awareness/influence for foresters and natural resource professionals interested in managing diverse ecosystems on military lands.
C – Ecology and Biology Subject Area
C1 - Forest Ecology
Focuses on the relationships between forests and the environment, particularly 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
D – Management and Utilization Subject Area
D1 - Forest Health and Genetics
Interdisciplinary group focusing on forest entomology, forest pathology, forest genetics and tree improvement. Additional foci within these categories include integrated forest health, invasive species, gene conservation, selection and breeding, landscape genomics, seed orchard management, vegetative propagation, and tissue culture techniques.s
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 - Wildland Fire Management
Focuses on the science, technology, research, and application of fire management in support of wildland fire protection, forestry, and rangeland ecosystem programs
E – Decision Sciences Subject Area
E1 - Economics, Policy, and Law
Interdisciplinary group focusing on the role of economics, policy, and law in the management of forests and forest systems
E3 - Bioenergy, Climate Change, and Carbon
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 systems
E6 - Sustainability and Certification
F – Social and Related Sciences Subject Area
F2 - Recreation and Wilderness Management
Focuses on the role of wilderness in natural resources management, as well as on national and international issues
F3 - Diversity and Inclusion
Focuses on creating a community of practice that supports participation by the full diversity of people in the science and management of forests
F4 - Human Dimensions and Education
Focuses on improving understanding and application of relevant communications and outreach techniques to address forestry-related issues, including environmental education for both youth and adults.
F5 - Philosophy and History
Focuses on the diverse philosophical perspectives—past, present, and future—that drive forest management, including ethics and the philosophy of science