SAF Accreditation Celebrates 90 Years! 

How does the Society of American Foresters’ Accreditation make 90 years look so fresh? The answer is simple- our participants, our programs, and volunteers! SAF’s accreditation of forestry and natural resource programs is a non-governmental, peer-reviewed process that assures the students who attend them receive a quality postsecondary forestry or natural resource education. Each standard provides scientifically supported approaches to ensure students have the skills and tools needed for professional competence AND confidence upon graduation.

There is no better way to ensure that colleges and universities are producing programs that know what the industry needs than by having programs regularly reviewed and assessed by forestry professionals and academia.  These SAF member volunteers who practice and teach forestry, and natural resources provide their time and expertise to support the efforts of accreditation! Academic programs may be accredited under one of four standards—Forest Technology, Forestry, Urban Forestry, and Natural Resources and Ecosystem Management that SAF outlines in detail in the 2024 SAF Accreditation Handbook.

Three national accreditation committees ensure the criteria of the four standards are rigorously upheld to meet the required level of excellence to become accredited and maintain accreditation by SAF. In addition to these volunteer committees, multiple ad hoc visiting teams are created each year to conduct on-site programmatic reviews.  Every review consists of multi-day trips to all the candidates and accredited programs on a regular cycle. Each year, SAF Accreditation collaborates with over 50 exceptional members who ensure that programs maintain the highest standards to support our dynamic and ever-innovative profession. Thanks to our member volunteers who make the profession better every day! Check out more here to see what 90 years of SAF Accreditation looks like today.