Position Statements

Forest Water Resources

Purpose

To acknowledge and support the importance of watershed services provided by forests in the United States.

Scope

Sustainable urban, community, and rural forest management in the United States that enhances watershed function and resilience.

Position

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) supports policies, programs, and actions that enhance the health, sustainability, management, and restoration of forested watersheds. Healthy, resilient forests are essential to providing a clean and continuous supply of fresh water for humans and the environment. Forests also recharge aquifers, stabilize soils, filter pollutants, mitigate stormwater runoff, regulate stream flows, and moderate stream temperatures. SAF agrees that trees and forests are a critical component to solving the water-related challenges facing communities, utilities, businesses, and the environment, and that sustainable management is critical to improve the health and resilience of the nation’s watersheds.

Approved: October 2020

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