JOIN ACF

Your next step in consulting forestry starts here.

Build your professional reputation, strengthen your business and connect with colleagues who understand your work. ACF brings consulting foresters together through shared expertise, practical resources and a commitment to professional and ethical standards.

NEW TO ACF

Find your starting point

Explore the three entry categories below. Review all eligibility requirements before applying.  If you have questions about ACF, membership applications, or membership requirements, please email [email protected] or call the ACF national office (703) 548-0990.

STUDENT & RECENT GRADUATES

Associate Member

A starting point while you build the qualifications for Candidate membership.

For eligible forestry students and graduates within three years of graduation.

Apply as an Associate Member


Requirements:

  • Be enrolled in a professional forestry degree-granting program recognized by the ACF Executive Committee or be no more than three years post-graduation.
  • Have no economic interest in a timber purchasing or timber procurement entity wherein a potential conflict of interest may exist in serving the public. *Internship or short-term seasonal employment by such an entity while enrolled in a degree-granting program does not preclude Associate Membership status.

CONSULTING FORESTERS

Candidate for Full Member

Begin the path to Full membership.

For eligible consulting foresters with a forestry or related bachelor’s or higher degree and at least two years of practical forestry experience.

Apply as a Candidate for Full Member


Requirements:

  • Be a graduate from a forestry or related bachelor or higher degree granting program.
  • Have at least two years of experience in practical forestry administration, forest management or other special forestry classification.
  • Be a professional forester, whose principal activity is forestry consulting work to the public on a fee or contract basis.
  • Have no undisclosed economic interests or associations with any entity wherein a conflict of interest may exist in representing clients.
  • Have business ownership or employment status as an owner, partner or stockholder in a forestry consulting firm; an employee of a consulting firm that has one or more of its owners as an ACF Member; or practice in a firm enrolled in an ACF-approved practice monitoring program.

CONSULTING FORESTERS

Candidate for Affiliate Member

Begin the path to Affiliate membership.

For eligible consulting foresters with a forestry or related associate degree and at least two years of practical forestry experience.

Apply as a Candidate for Affiliate Member


Requirements:

  • Be a graduate from a forestry or related associate degree granting program.
  • Have at least two years of experience in practical forestry administration, forest management or other special forestry classification.
  • Be a professional forester, whose principal activity is forestry consulting work to the public on a fee or contract basis.
  • Have no undisclosed economic interests or associations with any entity wherein a conflict of interest may exist in representing clients.
  • Have business ownership or employment status as an owner, partner or stockholder in a forestry consulting firm; an employee of a consulting firm that has one or more of its owners as an ACF Member; or practice in a firm enrolled in an ACF-approved practice monitoring program.



CURRENT & FORMER MEMBERS

Take your next step with ACF

Find applications for advancing your membership, changing your status or returning to the community.

Upgrade from Candidate Membership

Ready to upgrade? Once you've been a Candidate Member for at least one but no more than three years, completed the Practice of Consulting Forestry course, and have five or more years experience in forestry, it's time to upgrade your membership:

Full Membership Application
Affiliate Membership Application

Explore Retired, Lifetime or Member-Inactive Status

Already a member and want to change your status due to retirement or changes in employment?

Retired Member Application - Full Members can apply for Retired status if principal income is derived from retirement or disability

Lifetime Member Application - Full Members can apply for Lifetime status if principal income is derived from retirement of disability and has been a Full Member for a minimum of 15 years

Member-Inactive Application - Designed for Full Members with changes in employment that lead to no longer qualifying for membership but who wish to maintain a relationship with the association

Return to ACF

Ready to come back to ACF? ACF's Reinstatement Policy and Requirements

Reinstatement Application - Former and Inactive Members are eligible to apply for Reinstatement

 
ACF Governance Documents

In addition to any requirements specified in the above application forms, ACF members in any category must agree to abide by the Constitution, Bylaws, Polices, and Code of Ethics of ACF.

Contact ACF Staff