With over 800 members in 14 chapters throughout the state, the Oregon Society of American Foresters is the largest state affiliate of the national Society. Foresters play a major role in managing Oregon’s 30 million acres of forestland. These forests provide a variety of benefits for Oregonians and the nation in the form of wildlife, water, recreation, timber, and other forest products.
Through their management of the 19.4 million acres of Oregon’s forest capable of growing commercial crops of timber, foresters help contribute to a significant proportion of Oregon’s rural economic base. Fifty-one percent of Oregon’s timberland is owned by the federal government and 49 percent by non-federal owners. Most federal timberland is now managed primarily for non-timber benefits with limited timber harvesting. Seventy-five percent of the state’s timber harvest for the foreseeable future is expected to come from non-federal lands owned by wood products firms (29 percent), other private landowners (14 percent), and state and local governments (7 percent).
The forestry profession has adapted to changing priorities for Oregon’s forests. During the early days of economic and community development, the emphasis was on timber production. Today, foresters manage for a rich diversity of forest resources to achieve landowner objectives and meet society’s needs and the needs of future generations.
There are 14 chapters and student chapters within OSAF: Blue Mountain, Capitol, Central Oregon, Central Oregon Community College, Columbia Gorge, Coos, Emerald, Marys Peak, Mount Hood Community College, Portland, Shasta/Cascade, Siskiyou, Tillamook/Clatsop, and Umpqua.
We govern in accordance to our society’s bylaws (PDF) and are a registered 501(c)3. The executive committee meets approximately five times per year to discuss SAF business at the state level. A listing of our past chairs is available here (PDF).
