Looking to the future: The vice presidents perspective

The management of forest lands has been an enduring controversy since the beginning of this century and the controversies show no sign of abating. Changing social values, new laws, added regulations and judicial rulings have imposed limitations on contemporary approaches to the practice of forestry. Management successes are most likely to occur on public lands when local community stakeholders share common interests. Future realities require an integrated approach that incorporates social, environmental and economic aspects of forest management. Foresters will be in great demand to implement knowledge intensive management requiring scientific rigor and continuous innovation. Educating society about forest management must be a priority using such techniques as demonstration forests. SAF is the only professional resource organization with a commitment to science, a tradition of service and commands the high level of public respect to achieve its goals in the 21(st) Century.