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ACF membership is one of the most important career moves a consulting forester can make.

The ACF's candidacy process is selective and demands an ongoing investment of time, money and effort - but that selectivity is what makes ACF membership such an important asset for a consulting forester. Because of the high professional reputation of our members, ACF membership is an indelible mark of excellence and accountability known throughout the industry.

 

To start the application process, we offer the following suggestions:

  • Read and carefully consider all of the requirements for membership to make sure you meet all of the criteria. If you have questions about whether you are qualified, get answers to those questions from ACF before you invest time and money on the application and candidacy process.

  • You will need consulting foresters who are full members of ACF to sign your application as sponsors of your candidacy. These sponsors must know you and your work well enough to be confident in your professionalism. If you have not already done so, take the time to allow these people to get to know you before you ask them to sign your application.

  • The application will require client and personal references. Choose them carefully and notify them that you are using them as references. It is ACF policy to contact all your references and your application will not be accepted until your references have responded favorably to its inquiries.

  • If you have questions about ACF, the membership application, or membership requirements, ask an ACF staff person for help.

ACF Member Requirements

  • Affiliate Member: Minimum of an Associates degree in Forestry or Natural Resources from an approved college.

  • Full Member: Minimum of a Bachelors degree in Forestry or Natural Resources from an approved college.

  • Candidate Member: 2 years of experience in practical forestry administration, management, or other special forestry classification. 

  • Affiliate and Full Members: 5 years of experience in practical forestry administration, management, or other special forestry classification. 

  • A member's principal business activity must be forestry consulting work to the general public on a fee or contractual basis. 

  • Members may not have an economic interest in a timber purchasing or procurement entity. 

  • Members must be owners or partners of a forestry consulting firm, or salaried employees in one owned by an ACF member.

Candidate for Affiliate

Becoming a Candidate for Affiliate Member is the first step towards Affiliate Membership. Qualified Candidate for Affiliate Members enjoy nearly all the benefits of Affiliate Membership, including professional networking opportunities, our quarterly industry newsletter and annual magazine, educational opportunities, and insurance discounts.

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Candidate for Member

Becoming a Candidate for Full Member is the first step towards Full Membership. Qualified Candidate for Full Members enjoy nearly all the benefits of Full Membership, including professional networking opportunities, our quarterly industry newsletter and annual magazine, educational opportunities, and insurance discounts.

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Associate Membership

The Associate Membership Category is designed to allow individuals who are currently enrolled in a professional Forestry degree program or recent graduates to be affiliated with ACF until such time as they meet the qualifications for application for Candidate Member status.

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