Forest Management and Climate Change
Purpose
To clarify increasingly complex challenges and opportunities associated with forest management for
mitigating and adapting to climate change, carbon and ecosystem services valuation, land-use-based
climate change mitigation supporting rural economies, and managing American forests and surrounding
communities for long-term resilience and prosperity.
Scope
Forest management practices which are researched, designed, and aimed at conserving forestlands,
supporting economies and communities, and sustaining our natural resources for future generations.
Position
The Society of American Foresters (SAF) promotes and supports science-based policies and actions that
consistently recognize the positive role that forest management plays in: (1) mitigating greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions through the sequestration of atmospheric carbon in resilient, well-managed forests
(trees and soil) that produce wood-based products to replace both non-renewable materials and fossilfuel-based energy sources; and (2) adapting to future climate patterns through active forest management
that reduces the risk of stand-replacing wildfire and other climate-driven disturbance emissions and
avoids land-use changes from forests. Successfully adapting our forests and forest management practices
to climate change will require explicit and long-term investments in research, education, and outreach
to aid in management for these changes. Investments includes direct monetary support to private
landowners and public agencies to explore and implement the technologies and practices used to
mitigate carbon emissions and adapt to changing climate conditions and associated technical and
financial assistance programs for local communities to implement the necessary changes.
Approved: December 2025