As a forestland owner, your choice of the proper consulting forester to assist you will be evident for generations to come, so choosing wisely is vital.
Education, experience, expertise and specialties, are just a few of the many factors to consider when selecting a consulting forester. By law, all foresters practicing in North Carolina must be registered with the North Carolina Board of Registration for Foresters. North Carolina General Statues 89 B-2 further defines a consulting forester as one who:
- Is registered by the State Board of Registration for Foresters
- Is a technically educated professional forester who is a graduate of a forestry curriculum of a college or university and who holds a bachelor's or higher degree in forestry; or who has shown equivalent knowledge by passing the written examination administered by the State Board of Registration of Foresters provided in this chapter;
- Is governed by the Code of Ethics of the Society of American Foresters;
- Is competent to practice forest management, appraisal, development, marketing, protection and utilization for the benefit of the general public on a contractual or contingency basis;
- Has not engaged in any practice that constitutes a conflict of interest or in any way diminished his or her ability to represent the best interests of clients;
- And has filed annually an affidavit with the State Board of Registration of Foresters attesting to his or her compliance with the conditions of this chapter.
In addition to the above, the premier standard by which all consulting foresters strive and are judged is the acceptance and membership into the Association of Consulting Foresters of America.
ACF Mission Statement
"The mission of the Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc. is to advance the practice of professional consulting forestry; to establish and maintain high ethical standards for its members; to improve the competency of and provide a forum for its members; and to promote and encourage stewardship of the forest resource."
Rawlings Consulting Forestry, PLLC, is a proud member of the Association of Consulting Foresters of America.
The ACF Code of Ethics is to "formulate the guiding principles of professional conduct for ACF Consulting Foresters in their relations with each other, their employers, the public and with other foresters. Observance of these canons secures decent and honorable professional and human relationships, establishes enduring mutual confidence and respect, and enables the profession to give its maximum service."
Choose wisely.