continuing education
overview and objectives
Continuing education and professional development are of increasing importance to foresters and allied professionals. Rapid technological changes, the social significance of forest resources, increased public awareness, higher environmental standards, greater professional demands, and the ever-changing competencies required dictate continuous learning and development if individuals and the profession are to better serve society.
The Society of American Foresters' national CFE program is voluntary, and participation is open to SAF members and nonmembers. Its ultimate success depends on individual participation and individual integrity.
Its objectives are to:
- Encourage foresters and allied professionals in a formal program of continuing education and professional development.
- Stimulate individual self-assessment by providing standards for achievement.
- Advance the knowledge and skills of those engaged in forestry.
- give recognition, through issuance of a certificate, to those completing the program and thereby demonstrating continued learning and development.
procedures
To obtain the CFE Certificate of Accomplishment, participants must:
- Complete 150 contact hours of continuing forestry education and professional development during a three-year period.
- Distribute the hours appropriately within accepted categories of participation.
- Maintain the "Personal Activity Record" as work is completed.
- Enter hours in "Requested" column for each category.
- Upon completion of the requirements, fill out and then submit the "Application for CFE Certificate" to the local SAF CFE contact person, who will verify the hours assigned. The application must be accompanied by the "Personal Activity Record," supporting documents for Category 1, and proper remittance (SAF members $15; nonmembers $30).
Once examined and approved by the local CFE contact, the application will be forwarded to the SAF national office, which will issue the CFE Certificate and maintain a permanent record. As applications will not be returned, participants should make copies for their personal records.
additional details
The three-year period for completion of the requirements may begin and end at any time, but applications must be submitted within 90 days of completion.
All 150 contact hours may be obtained in Category 1, but participants are encouraged to distribute their activities.
No credit will be given for course work taken or presented as part of a formal degree program.
Only actual contact hours can be counted; missed session, social hours, breaks, and related activities are not included.
Depending upon rigor and content, correspondence courses may qualify under Category 1, 2, or 5. Send a course synopsis to your state CFE contact for hour assignment.
The "Application for CFE Certificate" must include the signatures of two witnesses who have general knowledge of the applicant's activity - preferably two SAF members.
For further information, please contact the Coordinator, Continuing Forestry Education at cillayp@safnet.org.
The CFE forms available as both Excel and pdf files. If your browser does not properly handle the Excel file, force it to download by right-clicking on the link and choosing "Download to File." You can then open the downloaded file with Excel. If you are unable to read pdf files, then click on the Adobe Acrobat logo, and download Adobe Acrobat Reader.