WHO IS A FORESTER?

ERIC L. ELLWOOD

UNDEI•LYII•'6THE apparently frivo- lous title of this paper is the ques- tion which must be increasingly confronted by the forestry profes- sion- namely-- what is profes- sional forestry and, in particular, to what extent is the present forest- ry professionproviding for future leadershipin the developmentof the soundest possible management and utilization of our forest lands ? I was prompted to reflect upon this problem, now that the ques- tion of re-evaluating the role of the SAF has been raised. Although not currently a member of SAF, I believe that some personal view- points expressed from without may be helpful to thosecontemplat- ing the future destiny of the Soci- ety. It is certainly not too soon for the Society to take a fresh look at its role, particularly in view of the compounding complexities and pressuresarising from rapidly es- calating population growth. urban- ization, industrialization, leisure time, and a greater awareness of, and interest in, land use by the American people. Changing Emphasis in Forestry Acceptingfor the momentthe very general statement that forest- ry is the art, scienceand business of managing forests and included lands for the continuous produc- tion of goods and services, it is immediately apparent that the range of goodsand servicesof val- ue to industry and the citizen con- sumer is now considerable,and in- deedmay grow in thefuture. We know that various categories of material goodssuch as wood, naval stores,forage, water, fish and wild- life are being produced and that THE AUTHOR is head, Department of Wood Science and Technology, North P/tote I•t• Papa' Uarolina State University, Raleigh. APlUL1967 243 appreciation of tile non-material tion. Superimposedupon this situ- problenksof tile wood-basedIndus- benefits of forestry such as aes- ation are sigus of a developing try is being brought by tile new thetics, wild domain, and rec- public attitude that large tracts of breed of businessadministrators, reation opportunities is rapidly forest land, whatever the owner- compuler teehnologists, satisti- increasing. Further technological ship, are actually part of our na- clans. and quantitative eeouonnsts. and economic development in the tion's public heritage aud, as such, Most recently the hydrologists, United States ]nay add new de- public use rights should be awlli- civil engineers, and pollution spe- mands not now foreseen. What, for able. cialists are appearing on the scene instance, if technological and Io contribute to the solution of economicdevelopments resulted in Changing Inputs in Forestry problemsof water catchmeat plan- forest trees becoming economically Concurrent with the cvolutiou- ning and Imllutiou abatement. And competitive •th fossil fuel as a ary changes in emphasis in the Illis is as it should be. source of industrial chemicals? nlanagement and u.seof forest land Tile forestry profession by Also, what, as h• beeu suggested has been the development of an elainling managcmeut capabilities to the Secretary of the Interior, if increasing body of knowledge ill such areas as catchmeat water large African game animals were about the forest, its environment. production is also immediately imported to forest areas of U.S. and the natm'e of its goods. A widening its spectrum of activities A. to provide •n sit•t big game small army of scientists and spe- into the soeiocconomic ]Haze of nr- huntiug for impccunious Ameri- cialists in fields allied to forestry ball, industrial, and agricultural cans? What is the posture of O•c such as soils, plant pathology, water slq)ply. profession toward developing ur- physiology, entomolog3•, genetics, Tilere are many signs tha! the ban forestry to provide aesthetic wood technology, pulp and paper professiou and the Society have and recreational wtlnes for city lcchnology, economiesrange man- realized the changing nature and residents ia situ. While the con- agemeat, recreation, engineering, inputs ill the forestry sphere. The eel)1 of multiple-use forestry has public hlw, etc., has been growin• question is what should he done been abroad for a considerable over tile last 25 years and provid- about it. period. it is only in recent years ing a reservoir of knowledge for tlmt so(.ial and e(.onomic pressnre• integration into the forestry equa- Negative Effects of the Status Quo have accelerated ils application. tion. ,Some 25 years ago these Ill nlany ways lhere is an analo- with the result tl]at we are finding workers were few ill number but gous situation between tile many voids in our background of expectations are that their number lieu of agrimdture (farming in the forestry scienceand art which was and employment ill the land conventional sense) and' forestry. and is still largely premised Ulmn resource arena will increase pro- Both cover a broad spectrum of timber production. The older con- portionsrely mo,'e over future resmu'ce nlanagenlent and crop cept of the forester and forestry years. This situation is tacit recog- production. In tile early stages of traiuing programs was that the nition of the fact that the forestry lhe (Icvelopmcnt of agriculture, forester was primarily a timber input increasingly requires t]lc nniversity and college curricula grower and protector of the forest contribution of a variety of spe- producing generalist agricultural crop from the depredationsof in- cialists and disciplines. It lnay scientists abounded. With contiuu- sect attack, funsal decay, and fire. well be a chemist who solves the al evolution of thinklug and ]leeds If the forest was a good water problem of insect and fungal at- of agricultm-c. programs ill gener- catchmeat area, then that was tack of trees or the engineer who al agricultural science were re- good fortune but not much was develops technology to process placed with more specialized pro- actively done about it. Also if the economicallyforest growth that is grams ill agronomy, soils, patholo- terrain was aesthetically plea,tug. may a liability. gy, entomology. animal husban- that was also fortnnate but ti•nber Developments in sciences, tech- dry, agricultural econolutes. and requirementsmust comefirst. This nologiesand professionsoutside of the like. Ill more recent years in- situation is a natural outcome of the existing recognized province of ,.ressing' eml)hasis iu the Schools the economic and social pressures professional forestD- can and do of Agriculture (which are -very- in existenceat any given tinte, and have a substantial impact on the where also changing to names like I for one, would be the last to practice of forestry. In the last 15 hiology and life sciences) is be- denigrate the value of timber pro- years the engineering and wood ing placed upon basic disciplines duction from our forests. 11owever, leelmology professions, for exam- such as hiology, genetics, hie- it is apparent that needsare chan•'- ple, have established a rapid chemistry. etc. The g'eneralist agri- ing and in many areas and situa- grmvth industry (particle board) cultural seieutist has virtually dis- tions values other than timber pro- based on chip utilization, and tile appeared. and il must be ad]nitted duelieu must be given more than paper elmmist, the pulp and pai,q' that tile rapid development of ag- lip serviceand increasinglyacconl- teelmologist, and the engineers are ri,'ulturc ill this country has been roedated and inserted into the for- changing the complexion of hard- a lessol to the world. By analogy estry situation. If this • not done, wood utilization for pulp manu- with agriculture, forestry has ]lot the resulting backlash will surdy facture. More recently the applica- yet evolvedvery far frmn the "ag- adversely affect timber produe- tion of systems analysis to the ricultural scientist" phase but it is

244 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY Inoving fast and the trend is clear. recognized,then it is only too clear such as engineers,eheInists, biolo- It is questionable, at this stage, that the eventual outcoine ;;'ill be gists, lawyers, etc., but whose ca- ;vhether the terin "forester" is that leadership in the particular reers may be aligned toward one or very meaningful without some ad- field will drift to the profession other phase of forestry or forestry- ditional qualifying terininology which does provide timely ap- related activities. Some groups such as forest manager, forest soil proaches to the problem. have recently started their own scientist, forest hydrologist, silvi- Another negative effect of the professional societies, e.g. Society eulturist, forest economist,etc. I do status quo is the natural tendency of Wood Science and Technology, not think. however, that the need of the Society to largely confine its and still others are served profes- for the forestry generalist ;viii cominunication channels to its own sionally in their disciplines by ex- ever be completely obviated in the lneInbers of national meettugs and isting professional societies, e.g. future. It is a very good question in anthemhip of articles in the A,qME, ACS. whether a "generalistic" educa- Journal of Forestry. This situation It is unlikely that these groups tion in forestry does in fact is certainly not unique to the Soci- would change their primary pro- provide the best background for ety of American Foresters. IIowev- fessional ellcgiancc, even allowing developincur of managerial abili- or, from a consideration of the that the SAF membership catego- ties. When all ix said and done, the very nature of the forestry enter- ry was broadened,particularly if individuals who can think analyti- prise, it would seem that the total the number one objective of the cally. develop insight and lucidly perspective of forest-land use can- Society, referring to protection of articulate their thoughts are the not be fully developed unless the interests of the profession of ones who gravitate to leadership Ineaningful communication is es- forestry, was given priority em- positions, whatever their field of tablished with other professions phasis. training. that are also concerned with for- However, if the appropriate If it is recognized that the evo- est-land use. structure and encouragement ex- lution of specialist progrants, each Arid providing secondaryor ter- isted within the Society, Inany dealing ;•ith particular aspects of tiary categoriesof lueInbershipto types of professionalswith career forest land use, is needed and is on professionals other than forest interests in forestry and forestry the upswing, then the dilemma of managers is little inducement to related activities could ;veil find tire existing forestry profession is attracting support for Society the Society a fertile ground for clear. If the forestry profession goals other than from those eligi- exchanging and evolving view- bolds the slotits qtto in terms of ble for the priluary category of points. Their involvement would hindering the development of spe- membership. necessarily stiinulate and strength- cialistic programs in schools of A basic quandary of the SAF en dialogue and ultiInately lead forestry through tile illdirect influ- arises from the fact that although toward unity rather than dismem- ence of existing accreditation or it is structured, like Inost other berment of forest-oriented profes- curricula constraints, or through professional societies, around a sions. other influences, then I believe discipline it is really primarily There are undoubtedly many that the profession would be doing concerned with a spectrum of lionforester professionals, who a disservice to forestry ill its resources. Perhaps more so than could make substantial contribu- larger context. Unfortunately other professionalsocieties, the is- tions to forestry Inatters. but ;vho these constraints have operated in sues which this professional Soci- are not currently encouraged to some schoolsin the past, for exam- ety Inust increasingly confront participate in Society meetings, ple, to thc detriment of the evolu- revolve around commodities and affairs, or in writing for Society tion of programs in wood science resources which involve many oth- publications. But their voices and and technology. This situation er professional interests besides their thinking should be heard if begs the question (now unanswer- the present member category. If. forest practice is to develop com- able) as to wllat would no;v be the in order to attract the comInitment mensurately with the developinent state of evolution in ;vood science of an increased spectruin of pro- of our country. and technology if these programs fessions to the broader ,-,oals of A Consortium of Forest Oriented had been developed in schools of optimizing forest resource man- Professions engineering rather titan in schools ageIncurand utilization, the meIn- of foresh'y. It is to be hoped that borship requirements were broad- From the foregoing, it is appar- the forestry profession, in future ened, the Society would become ent that although forestry is con- years. does see fit to provide for lessof a single professionand more cerned with the manageincur of an development of appropriate spe- of a plurality of professions. increasingly technical complex of cialties in forestry schoolswithout Further, it is doubtful whether forest resources, the professional the eonstraint• of fitting these to certain professional groups, whose educational requirements for Soci- the pre•ent c.neeptual mold of the input to the forestry area is sub- ety "Class A" full membership professional forester, if titis pre- stantial. would wish to seek their focus essentially mdy on those ob- vents concentration upon tile ap- professionalneeds under the name tained by forestry graduates, and propriate subject Inatter of the of forestry. Here could be included these normally with a general type specialty. If this situation is not peopleeducated in other disciplines of education. This could have the

APRIL 1967 245 effect of perpetuating or emphasiz- each group to maintain a full strengthening the Pulp and Paper ing particular types of training fledged professional identity and Industry. Although this Associa- and background in forestry when should also encourage the develop- tion provides for different levels of the needs are no longer the same. ment of specialties. membership,the criteria for grade And this at a time when specialists Other professional societieswith of member are concerned with de- in many fields are needed. Such a definite interests iu foresty which gree of involvement and career in- situation does not appear to be a did not •vish to become a profes- terests rather thau with the spe- very positive way to carry out sional division of the consortium cific type of technical background. SAF objective, "To promote the could be invited to join on an affil- And the type of objectives of science, practice and standards of iate basis. V/•hile the above propos- TAPPI, to a large extent, parellel Forestry in America." al is fraught xvith problems and those of SAF. It is highly unlikely that one would entail considerable explora- The proposed consortium or fed- profession alone, such as forestry tion of mechanics and detail, I be- oration differs from the TAPPI as currently defined in terms of lieve that such a move, in the long organization in that it would SAle accreditation and curricula term, would be highly beneficial to provide for professional divisions requirements, is capable of the the nation and to the field of for- which would specify professional best possible handling of the com- estry. requirements for membership in plex myriad of interlacing and in- The consortium or federation any professional division. Also an- terdependent problems which arise might aptly be named as lhe "In- other major point of difference is in connection xvith forest-land use. stitute of American Forestry" or the concept of affiliating with oth- In my view, an outstanding op- the "American Forestry Society" er professional organizations which portunity exists for the SAF and in essence would consist of are primarily conere'ned•vith for- (which is the largest of the several component professional divisions estry. professional societiesdirectly con- together with affiliated profession- Unless SAF gives full recogni- cerned with forests and forest al societies. tion to the ninny ofi•,n- types of land) to take the initiative and It xvould remove the impossible professional inputs. besides those explore the establishment of a na- situation of trying to closely define of the "fore.•t manag•.r." required tional consortium, or federation of a professional forester who can to optimize forest land use, then forest-oriented professions. Such cover the both broadening and the profession conhi eventually an organization could then provide deepening aspects of the forestry find itself inward grown and by- a national forum (which is now enterprise i n c 1 u d i n ,- non- passed in rerunsof mainstreams of lacking) and a means of inter- managerial aspects. It conld en- developmentand major policy de- change and exchange of a variety courage the development of profes- cisions on forest land use. of professional viewpoints. The sional programs to meet our future The above proposal is advanced very horizons which the forestry needs instead of tending to con- as a goal for the Society to ensure profession seeks to examine m•d strain them. It would provide a that this does not happen. and also dcbate could be more adequately professional home (not second to better provide for the further- brought into focus. class) for those professionals who ing of forestry in the U.S.A. in its The common binding tie upon may not be foresters, as currently broadest sense. And I have no illu- xvhich the establishment of a con- interprcted, but whose careers and sions about the number and dimen- sortium could be founded couhl interests are definitely forestry ori- sion of the problems that would be well be the objective of "Applying ented. And, most importm•tly, it involved in obtaining this goal. science, technology, and all rele- would provide a meehani.qm of Implicit in this proposal is the vant disciplines to forest land use bringing to bear upon the forestry philosophy that greater emphasis for the progressivewell being of scenethose technical, scientific and be placed on all means of optimiz- mankind." social viewpoints upon which forest ing forest resource usage for the To meet the more personal self- management and policy must nlti- progressive benefit .f mankind interest needs which professional mately depend. rather than placing primary em- societies provide and to remove It is pertinent to note that, in phasis on the forestry profession present stigmas related to who is such a broad area as the forestry per se. The American forestry pro- and who is not a bond-fide fores- arena there are some very sHccess- fession can be j•rstly proud of its tcr, professional divisions within ful associations and societies which enviable record of high achieve- the consortium could well be estab- have already been formed to con- ment and past contributions to the lished, each with their own criteria front problem areas of their inter- welfare of the U.S.A. But new for professional requirements. For est, at a very. technical level. with- challengesare upon us. Will the example, appropriate professional out constraints on the type of pro- forestry profession, through the divisions with their own jurisdic- fessional background of the mem- leadership of its Society, command tion of professional requirements bers. the initiative by broadening its could well be forest genetics,forest Such a highly successfulorgani- base to develop the soundestpos- management, forest economics, zation is the Technical Association sible framework upon which to wild life, watershed, forest pathol- of the Pulp and Paper Industw formulate tomorrow's forest land ogy, etc. This would then enable which is oriented towards use ?

246 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY