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How do I find a certified forester in my area

How Do I Find a Certified Forester in My Area?

beginners foresters management Oct 26, 2024

A top question I get asked is "how do I find a certified forester in my area?" And this is an important question because finding the right certified forester for your family land or forested property is a crucial step in ensuring the right sustainable management for your goals, whether you're focused on conservation, timber harvesting, or general forest health. A certified forester can guide you through best practices for forest management, tree health, wildlife habitat improvement, and even assist with timber sales. But how do you find the right one in your area? Here’s a guide to help you through the process.

1. Understanding Terms Related to Certified Forester

Before diving into the search, it's important to understand there are many different phrases often used when looking for a "certified forester": forestry consultant, land consultant, forester, professional forester and certified forester. For most landowners like yourself, you are likely to use these terms interchangeably to mean the same thing... someone to give you advice for what to do with your forest land and to implement those recommendations. But in the forest industry world they can lead to different types of forestry professionals. So let's break down real quick what the differences are: 

  • Forestry Consultant: someone that gives the landowner advice and implements those plans on the ground. They work FOR the landowner to manage YOUR land. 
  • Land Consultant: someone that gives generalized environmental and land advice. This may include what to do with your forest land, but also may include EPA regulations, wetland delineations, ecological conservation and recreational explorations. 
  • Forester: a general term for anyone that has a forestry education background and works within the forest industry. This includes working private industry, working for mills to buy timber, as well as state agencies or consulting firms. 
  • Professional Forester: A term used by most landowners recognizing some states require licensing and continuing education just as a lawyer or tax accountant would. This often would exclude forestry technicians who often conduct or implement forestry recommendations or collect data.
  • Certified Forester: This is a term provided by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) for those who have the right educational background, experience level and have gone through their standardized testing and follow above and beyond continuing education to keep their certified registration status. 

For the purposes of this article, we will continue to use the language certified forester, with the understanding that depending on your state's laws and regulations, any of the above terminology can be substituted to provide you the advice and recommendations to do on your land. Back to finding the right certified forester in your area...

2. Understand What a Certified Forester Does

As we just discussed the different terms, certified foresters are professionals trained in forest management who have earned credentials through respected universities and organizations. They usually offer a range of services, including assessing forest health, developing management plans, marking trees for harvest, managing timber sales, and advising on reforestation or forest regeneration. Their goal is to help you sustainably manage your land while meeting your personal or business objectives (aka goals).

3. Use Professional Associations

One of the best ways to find a certified forester in your area is through professional organizations. One of these is the Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the leading certifying body in the U.S., and it offers an online directory where you can search for foresters by location. You can search SAF by using their Find a Forester tool and search by your state. Another useful resource is the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF), which maintains a directory of consulting foresters who participate as a part of their organization membership, which requires a certain amount of years of experience, ACF organized consulting training and above and additional continuing education hours. 

4. Consult Local or State Forestry Agencies

In most states, the State Forestry Agencies, Commissions, or similar natural resource agencies depending on your state can provide county foresters to provide you recommendations and plans, as well as help you locate certified foresters to implement work on the ground to get done. These agencies often have lists of registered foresters who are available to work with private landowners. They can also guide you through government programs related to forestry management, cost-sharing opportunities, and tax incentives for sustainable practices.

Local university extension services or county USDA offices may also provide directories of certified foresters and information on how to select the right professional for your needs.

5. Seek Referrals and Recommendations

Word of mouth can be a valuable tool in finding a certified forester. Ask fellow landowners, farmers, or local timber buyers if they’ve worked with a quality forester. Often, individuals with similar land use goals can recommend a forester who specializes in the kind of work you need, whether it’s timber harvesting, forest health monitoring, or habitat management.

Local conservation organizations or land trusts may also have recommendations, especially if you’re interested in ecologically focused management practices. They often collaborate with foresters who prioritize ecological sustainability and conservation.

6. Verify Credentials and Experience

Once you’ve found a potential forester, verify their credentials. DEPENDING on your state, it may be a legal requirement for them to have a registered license to operate as a consulting forester. Be sure you understand your state's guidelines. If you are in a state which requires legal registration and credentials, be sure to ask for their registration/credential numbers to follow-up their status. You can also ask to see if they hold certification from any other recognized body, like SAF or ACF, which was discussed above. It’s also important to check their experience level, as forestry work can vary greatly depending on the terrain, type of forest, and management goals. Ask about past projects and locations, including timber sales, forest management plans, and conservation efforts. 

7. Interview Foresters

It is recommended to always reach out to at least THREE foresters to interview. This will help set the parameters of norms for your location and situation. It is important to note that forest management is an art and science, and therefore subjective to the eye of the beholder who is viewing your land based on their experience, preferences and opinions. Be sure to discuss your land management objectives and goals, their approach to forestry, and the specific services they provide. Ask for references from past clients, especially if your goals include revenue generation from timber sales or long-term conservation projects. You check out a short list of interview questions for consultant foresters or listen to THIS podcast on how to select the right certified forester. 

Conclusion

Finding a certified forester doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By using professional directories, state resources, and personal referrals, you can connect with a qualified forester who can help you achieve your land management goals. Whether you're focused on sustainable timber production, wildlife habitat management, or forest conservation, a certified forester can guide you through the process while ensuring the health and longevity of your forested land. If you're looking to get matched with your best fit, join the latest innovation for landowners like you and matching with your best professional! Check out Land and Ladies to help you build trusting relationships with your resources and ensure you're working towards the right path for a financially sustainable family land.

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