Society of american foresters – Student chapter
The Society of American Foresters Student Chapter sets the standard in forest management,
bringing science, best practice, and the best people together to actively shape the future of the profession.
Our Mission
The University of Maine Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters exists to:
- Advance academic achievement
- Expand experiences outside of academics
- Advance career and professional development
- Establish professional excellence
- Promote sustainability in forest resources
Membership Benefits
UMSAF understands time and money are limited resources. That’s why we work hard to provide access to:
- Speakers, workshops, and field tours
- Professional networking in and out of Mainea
- Funding to attend state, regional, and national SAF conferences
- Career and leadership development
- Opportunities to build relationships within SFR and in the wider forestry community
“For the greatest good. For the greatest number. For the long run.”
How to Join
First, join the national organization:
- Visit SAF’s website (here) and complete the signup process
- Send your registration reciept to Tony Guay (anthoy.p.guay@maine.edu)
- Recieve your reimbursement check from MESAF for your first year of membership dues
Second, join UMSAF by folowing these guidlines:
- Show proof of national SAF membership
- Attend at least 75% of events/meetings offered in a semester
- Complete 15 hours of service work per semester
- A small membership fee may be applicable
Why join?
Joining the Society of American Foresters (SAF) through the UMaine Student Chapter connects you with a nationwide network of forestry professionals, researchers, and students dedicated to sustainable forest management. Membership offers access to career resources, continuing education, industry certifications, conferences, and the latest research and policy updates affecting natural resources. It also strengthens your professional credibility and leadership opportunities while helping you stay current in a field that is constantly evolving with new science, technology, and environmental challenges. The Maine chapter of SAF also covers the cost of the first year of membership for SFR students.
Read the current saf newsletter here
Reg Clarke
President
maeve.clarke@maine.edu
Phil Brown
Vice President
philip.brown@maine.edu
Isabella Pfankuch
Role coming soon
isabella.pfankuch@maine.edu
Peter Herrick
Secretary
peter.herrick@maine.edu
Victoria Stepeck
Role coming soon
victoria.stepeck@maine.edu
Anthony Guay
Advisor
anthony.p.guay@maine.edu
Joining SAF is valuable because it connects you to the largest professional community of forestry and natural resources practitioners in the United States (with around 8,000–14,000 members nationwide, depending on reporting) and offers resources specifically geared toward advancing your career, professional competence, and leadership in the field. As a member you gain access to exclusive publications like Forest Science, Journal of Forestry, The Forestry Source, and eForester that keep you informed on the latest science, policy, and industry trends; you can join working groups and special interest communities to deepen your technical expertise; and you have priority access to continuing education, internship opportunities, scholarship and grant programs, and discounts on convention registration and certification. Membership also strengthens your professional network by offering career services, a member directory, and leadership opportunities at local and national levels, which can be crucial for advancing in a competitive field that values both credentials and connections. Collectively, these benefits help members stay current, build credibility, expand their influence in forestry and natural resource management, and contribute to the profession’s collective voice on sustainable forest stewardship.
Conventions hosted by SAF serve as major professional gatherings that bring together foresters, natural resource managers, researchers, students, and industry leaders from across the country. These events, most notably the annual national convention, feature technical sessions, research presentations, panel discussions, field tours, and exhibitor halls that highlight current issues such as sustainable forest management, wildfire resilience, climate adaptation, forest policy, and emerging technologies. SAF conventions also provide continuing education credits for professional certification, helping members maintain credentials while expanding their expertise. Beyond the educational component, the conventions foster networking and mentorship opportunities, connecting students and early-career professionals with experienced practitioners and potential employers. Overall, SAF conventions play a vital role in strengthening professional knowledge, collaboration, and leadership within the forestry and natural resources community.