State Approaches Regarding Private Forest Practices
Purpose
To give guidance to state SAF chapters and state regulators when considering the
implementation or reform of private forest policies and practices
Scope
Forest practice policies on private lands in the United States including non-regulatory, and
existing or proposed regulatory systems.
Position
The Society of American Foresters (SAF) supports private lands policy approaches that recognize private
property rights and prioritize a landowner’s ability to meet their personal objectives for their lands while
maintaining environmental quality, sustainability, and ecosystem services. If non-regulatory approaches
are effective in achieving private forest objectives and maintaining environmental quality, then SAF
recommends these approaches remain in place. Voluntary measures are effective in many cases (Cristan et
al. 2016; Poudel et al. 2024). SAF encourages policy makers to consider approaches that incentivize
voluntary stewardship and allow landowners to make responsible choices, retain ownership, and achieve
their diverse objectives while sustaining forest resources (Butler et al. 2016).
Approved: August 2025