West Michigan Forestry Assistance Program
Professional Development is an important aspect of any career. This page will display information and links to many different programs and organizations that offer professional certifications. Professional certifications show that you have taken the time to be the best professional that you can be. These credentials could help increase your business and make it easier to work with landowners. We want to help our service providers be the most qualified they can be, so we suggest that you check out and pursue any certifications that pertain to you.
Foresters
Society of American Foresters
The Society of American Foresters sets the standard in forest management, bringing science, best practice, and the best people together to actively shape the future of the profession. Being a member in SAF gives you access to up-to-date news on the forest industry. The SAF also offers the Certified Forester credential, which involves graduating with a bachelors degree in forestry, or associated degrees, passing the CF exam and completing Continuing Education credits each year.
Association of Consulting Foresters
The ACF is an organization that offers consulting foresters a community to connect with other professional consultants. Being a part of ACF shows the public that a member meets rigorous membership requirements, is committed to excellence, and adheres to a strict code of ethics. There are also insurance programs available to foresters that are a part of the ACF.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
The EQIP is a cost share program for landowners that is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The program cost shares management practices such as writing a management plan, marking timber, or planting trees. To write management plans for landowners working with EQIP, a forester must be registered as a Technical Service Provider with the NRCS. For more information about becoming a Technical Service Provider through the NRCS, please visit the link before.
Loggers
Michigan Association of Timbermen
Michigan Association of Timbermen memberships help promote the forest industry in Michigan. MAT is dedicated to reducing operating costs and improving the profitability of member firms, exposing the untapped economic potential of Michigan’s forest industry, and providing Michigan’s forest industry effective representation with legislators and government officials to favorably influence public policy and legislation.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
SFI Inc. is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. SFI works with conservation groups, local communities, resource professionals, landowners and countless other organizations and individuals. Most SFI Program Participants have obtained or are pursuing certification to the SFI Standard, which is a way to verify that an organization is adhering to all of the requirements related to the practice of or support for sustainable forestry as described in the SFI Standard.
Master Loggers Certification
The Michigan Master Logger Certification Program recognizes logging companies that meet the sustainable forest management standards set by the American Loggers Council. The Master Logger program assesses and documents the harvest practices that loggers use in the forest, and ensures that professional loggers are rewarded for the good work that they do.
American Tree Farm System
The ATFS works to give people the tools they need to be effective stewards of America's forests. Landowners can certify their forest with tree farm to show that they are being good stewards of the land and have access to many different forest resources. For a landowner to become Tree Farm certified, they need to have their property inspected by a Tree Farm inspector. Foresters that are looking to become Tree Farm inspectors should contact Mike Smalligan at SmalliganM@michigan.gov or 517-284-5884.
Forest Stewardship Program
The primary benefit of becoming a certified Plan Writer is the opportunity to advertise your services to the 400,000 family forest owners in Michigan. The Program seeks to actively promote all Plan Writer’s qualifications, services offered, and participation in related programs. You are able to determine your fees for developing a Plan. The Program is committed to maintaining flexibility and simplicity by making it easy for both Landowners and Plan Writers to develop a Forest Stewardship Plan. For information about becoming a certified Plan Writer, please contact Mike Smalligan at 517-284-5884 or smalliganm@michigan.gov.
The Wildlife Society
Membership is open to wildlife professionals, students and supporters who are interested in wildlife science, management and conservation. TWS membership benefits provide you with opportunities to network, learn, get involved and to support the wildlife profession. While there are many benefits to membership, the core benefits include: Learn, Network, and Engage.
Michigan Registered Forester
The title registration of Forester is regulated by Article 21 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended. Article 21 defines a forester as a person who by reason of his or her knowledge of the natural sciences, mathematics and principles of forestry, acquired by forestry education and practical experience, is qualified to engage in the practice of professional forestry.
Qualified Forester
Landowners seeking the Qualified Forest Program tax exemption must obtain a forest management plan written by a Qualified Forester. Qualified Foresters are forest resource professionals, registered with the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, that are knowledgeable in forest management practices. For more information about becoming a Qualified Forester, please visit the link below.