Society of American Foresters

What Society of American Foresters does

The Society of American Foresters (SAF), founded in 1900 and headquartered at 2121 K Street NW, Suite 315, in Washington, D.C., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit scientific and educational organization that serves as the largest national professional association for forestry and natural resources practitioners in the United States. Its core offering is a multi-tier membership program (with publicly disclosed dues from $25 for students to $180 for premium-tier professional members, plus transitional, retired, affiliate, golden, and international categories) bundled with the Certified Forester (CF), Candidate Certified Forester (CCF), and Certified Forestry Technician (CFT) credentials, which require accredited education, professional experience, competency examination, and triennial recertification via 45 Continuing Forestry Education credits. Members and credential holders are supported through ForestEd.org (a self-serve learning platform hosted at learn.eforester.org), two peer-reviewed bimonthly journals (the Journal of Forestry since 1902 with a 2023 impact factor of 1.8, and Forest Science with 1.5), a monthly newspaper (The Forestry Source), a weekly e-newsletter (eForester), an online Career Center, an annual national convention (2026 in Tacoma, Washington), and grant and fellowship programs such as the 2026 Forest Landowner Support Fellowship and the Gregory Award. Underlying systems include certification tracking, member management, and the ForestEd online learning portal. The organization runs 11-50 staff and reaches a 30,000+ audience through its owned media properties.

SAF monetizes primarily through recurring membership dues, certification and recertification fees, publication subscriptions and advertising (e.g., $2,950/year for website advertising), convention registration/sponsorship/exhibits, and freemium online learning (free for members, $10/session or a $30 four-webinar bundle for non-members). The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via eforester.org, phone-based inside sales, state societies and student chapters as resellers, and partnerships with the USDA Forest Service, US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, UNH Extension, NH Timber Owners Association, NH Division of Forests and Lands, and Conservation Fund that channel grant funding into landowner-support and workforce-development programs (e.g., the 2025 New Hampshire industry-recognized credential program). In 2023 SAF members approved a bylaws amendment creating a more inclusive membership structure, fully implemented by January 1, 2024, indicating a deliberate broadening of the addressable professional base.

Name

Society of American Foresters

Legal name

Society of American Foresters

Website

https://eforester.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SAF is the largest U.S. national scientific and educational organization for forestry professionals, offering membership, certification (CF/CCF/CFT), peer-reviewed journals, online continuing education via ForestEd.org, and an annual national convention to professional foresters, students, and landowners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from professional foresters, students, retired members, and affiliates. Dues range from $25 (student) to $180 (premium) annually.
2. Certification Fees: Fees for Certified Forester, Candidate Certified Forester, Certified Forestry Technician applications, recertification, and directory listings
3. Publications Revenue: Revenue from scientific journals (Forest Science, Journal of Forestry), The Forestry Source newspaper, eForester newsletter, College Guide, and other publications. Includes subscriptions, advertising, and reprints.
4. Events and Conventions: Registration fees, sponsorship, and exhibitor revenue from SAF National Convention and other events
5. ForestEd Online Learning: Revenue from online courses, webinars, career pathways series ($10 per session for non-members, free for members), and Journal of Forestry quizzes
6. Advertising: Advertising opportunities in publications reaching 30,000+ audience including Journal of Forestry, The Forestry Source, eForester newsletter, and website advertising ($2,950/year)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional membership organization that advances the forestry profession through tiered individual memberships, professional certifications (Certified Forester CF, Certified Forestry Technician CFT), peer-reviewed scientific journals (Journal of Forestry, Forest Science), a monthly newspaper and weekly newsletter, the ForestEd.org continuing education platform, an annual national convention, and a career center. Its offerings are sold directly to individual forestry professionals, students, and forest landowners in the United States and internationally.

Product overview

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) operates a multi-faceted professional organization offering certification programs, publications, education, and advocacy services. The core offerings include professional certifications (Certified Forester CF, Certified Forestry Technician CFT), peer-reviewed scientific journals (Journal of Forestry, Forest Science), news publications (The Forestry Source newspaper, The eForester newsletter), online learning platform (ForestEd.org), career services (Career Center), annual conventions, and grant/fellowship programs. The organization serves over 30,000 members and reaches a broad audience through its publications and digital platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SAF Membership Professional membership with multiple tiers serving forestry professionals, students, retirees, and affiliates. Annual dues range from $25 (Student) to $180 (Premium), with access to publications, continuing education, networking, certification support, and advocacy.
• Certified Forester (CF) Certification Premier professional certification requiring educational credentials, 5+ years of professional experience, a competency exam, and 45 CFE credits every 3 years. Targeted at working foresters seeking formal professional credential.
• Certified Forestry Technician (CFT) Certification Professional certification for forestry technicians based on a combination of education and experience (with a no-degree pathway option), requiring a competency-based exam to earn the CFT designation.
• Journal of Forestry Bimonthly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering all facets of forestry, published since 1902. Targeted at forestry researchers, academics, and practitioners.
• Forest Science Bimonthly peer-reviewed journal publishing fundamental and applied research on forest ecosystem function and management worldwide. Targeted at forestry researchers and academics.
• The Forestry Source Monthly newspaper providing exclusive and timely forestry-related news, policy developments, research updates, and SAF program information. Published 12 times annually and includes advertising opportunities.
• The eForester Newsletter Weekly e-newsletter with a roundup of top forestry and natural resources news covering wildfire, state/federal lands, research, innovation, and international forestry. Distributed to 30,000+ community members.
• ForestEd.org Online Learning Platform Online learning platform offering continuing education courses, webinars, convention presentations, Journal of Forestry quizzes for CFE credits, and career pathways resources. Free for SAF members; $10/session or $30 package of four for non-members.
• SAF National Convention Annual national convention bringing together forestry professionals for networking, education, professional development, and recognition. Generates revenue through registration fees, sponsorship, and exhibitor sales.
• SAF Career Center Online career center providing job listings, career resources, and recruitment services for forestry and natural resources professionals.
• SAF College Guide Annual publication showcasing forestry organizations and SAF-accredited degree programs, serving as an essential guide for high school students and others exploring forestry-related education and career options.
• Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) Program Continuing education credit program providing credits through events, online courses on ForestEd.org, Journal of Forestry quizzes, and convention presentations. Required for maintaining CF certification (45 credits every 3 years).
• SAF Reports and White Papers Advocacy and outreach resources including reports on carbon accounting, forest roads, best management practices, and policy briefs developed with partner organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Certified Foresters must meet educational requirements, have 5+ years professional experience, pass competency exams, and maintain 45 continuing education credits every 3 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• UNH ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025Collaborative partner in developing industry-recognized credential program for forestry careers in New Hampshire. UNH Extension led the development of online modules combined with field learning for the Fall 2025 launch.
• New Hampshire Timber Owners AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025Collaborative partner in developing the industry-recognized credential program for forestry careers. Partnership addresses aging workforce and recruitment challenges in New Hampshire's forest products industry generating $1.6 billion annually.
• NH Division of Forests and LandscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025State agency partner in developing the forestry career credential program. Contributed to workforce development initiative addressing industry that employs more than 7,200 people in New Hampshire.
• Conservation FundmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025Funded the development of New Hampshire's industry-recognized credential program for forestry careers as part of workforce development initiative.
• Granite State Division of Society of American ForesterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025SAF's state division provided endorsement for the industry-recognized credential program, validating the program as meeting professional standards for forestry careers.
• USDA Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Forest Landowner Support Program providing financial incentives and support for private forest landowners. US Forest Service is providing funding to 30+ organizations including SAF to help small-acreage private forest landowners access reforestation incentives, forest management improvement, and emerging market opportunities.
• US Endowment for Forestry and CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Forest Landowner Support Initiative working with SAF and US Forest Service to empower small landowners to maintain healthy and resilient working forests. Provides funding and support for organizations assisting small and non-industrial landowners.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Wildlife Society: A nonprofit scientific and educational association for wildlife professionals, structured similarly to SAF as a membership organization offering certifications, peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and advocacy for natural resource professionals.
• American Fisheries Society: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional organization for fisheries scientists and managers. Operates a parallel membership-plus-certification-plus-publication model to SAF in an adjacent natural-resources discipline.
• American Society of Agronomy: A scientific society supporting agronomy professionals through certifications (CCA), peer-reviewed journals, annual meetings, and advocacy — analogous to SAF's role in forestry but in the crop/soil science profession.
• International Society of Arboriculture: A membership organization offering arborist certification credentials, publications, and continuing education — a direct analog to SAF's CF/CFT certification and ForestEd continuing education model in a tree-care specialty.
• Soil and Water Conservation Society: A nonprofit scientific and educational organization for conservation professionals with membership dues, publications, and conferences — closely mirroring SAF's structure in an adjacent conservation discipline.
• Association of Consulting Foresters: A professional association specifically for consulting foresters, overlapping significantly with SAF's Certified Forester member base and competing in part for the same practitioner audience.
• Forest Products Society: An international nonprofit serving professionals in wood products, pulp/paper, and forest operations through membership, peer-reviewed journals, and conferences — comparable business model serving the downstream of SAF's forestry constituency.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of State Foresters: The national organization of state forestry agencies that SAF works alongside in policy advocacy and workforce development — broader in scope (public-agency leadership vs. individual professionals) but operates in the same forestry policy ecosystem.
• American Forest & Paper Association: The national trade association of the U.S. forest products industry. Whereas SAF represents individual professionals, AF&PA represents corporate members — a larger incumbent in the same forestry ecosystem with overlapping advocacy priorities.

Emerging players

• National Woodland Owners Association: A membership association advocating on behalf of private forest landowners — overlapping with SAF's secondary forest landowner support programs and serving a different but intersecting audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AmericanForesters
• Facebookfacebook.com/SAForesters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/society-of-american-foresters
• Instagraminstagram.com/americanforesters
• Xx.com/foresters

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Society of American Foresters