Announcements

Migrating to ArcGIS Pro for Foresters: Basic Short Course

This self-paced course is intended for users of Esri's ArcMap who want to successfully transition to using its replacement, ArcGIS Pro. This class differentiates itself from others because the content and exercises focuses purely on forestry related applications and skills. $170 for SAF Members, $250 for Non-Members. Registration remains open until January 12, 2026.

Registration

NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

The RCPP Open Pine project looks to restore open woodland and savanna habitat conditions in pine and upland stands in South Arkansas. Eligible practices for funding include commercial and non-commercial thinning, prescribed burning, fire breaks, bird monitoring, and possibly more. The snapshot of this project looks to reduce stands to 60ba or below, treat the midstory, and burn. Typical contracts/plans are 4-5 years. The application deadline is January 30th, 2026. Interested parties should contact their local NRCS office or may contact Ben Fields for general program information:

Ben Fields

Mobile: 870-807-5174, Office: 870-569-8126

ben.field@agfc.ar.gov

500 Ben Lane, Camden, AR 71701

RCPP Fact Sheet

2026 National SAF Awards are Open for Nominations

Through 15 national awards, Fellow, and Presidential Field Forester awards, SAF celebrates and honors scientists, researchers, educators, innovators, leaders, communicators, field foresters, employers, local SAF units, and others who have made a significant impact on forestry in the United States and internationally. Nominate now until March 1, 2026!

Nominate Here

Upcoming Events

Past Events

2025 Western Gulf States SAF Meeting

September 4th, 2025

Several Ouachita SAF members received awards at the Awards Luncheon during the 2025 Western Gulf States SAF Meeting in Bossier City, LA on September 4th. At the National level, Greg Hay, consulting forester and sole proprietor of Hay Forestry LLC in Arkansas, was awarded the Gifford Pinchot Medal, a competitive award that recognizes outstanding contributions by a forestry professional in the administration, practice, and professional development of forestry in North America. At the Ouachita SAF level, Larry Nance (AR) received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Omkar Joshi (OK) received the Volunteer Leadership Award, Madison Gore (OK) received the Young Forester Leadership Award, and Ethan Shuck (OK) received the Student Scholarship. From the Arkansas Division, Dr. Matt Pelkki received the Ted Chancey Career Forester Award, and Dr. Sagar Chhetri received the Dr. Timothy Ku Outstanding Educator Award. From the Oklahoma Division, Donald Herron received the Nat Walker Award, and Madison Gore received the Ted Silker Award. We congratulate all award recipients and celebrate their accomplishments!

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2025 Arkansas Division Spring Foresters Workshop

May 6th, 2025

The Arkansas SAF Division hosted their annual Spring Foresters Workshop at the C.A. Vines 4-H Center in Ferndale, AR. Around 130 people attended the event to get updates on forest landowner assistance, forest health in Arkansas, legislative forestry matters, and from the Forestry Division. Topics included bottomland hardwood management, forestry ethics, fire management, and valuing damaged timber. 50 Year SAF Membership Awards were passed out to those present. John Wainscott and Dan Estes were two recipients, pictured below with the Arkansas Division Chair, Jaret Rushing.

2025 Oklahoma Division Spring Field Meeting

April 3-4th, 2025

The Oklahoma Division's Annual Spring Field Meeting occurred in Stillwater, OK on a couple rainy April days. After enjoying a Thursday evening of fellowship, the OK Division met Friday on campus for presentations and a business meeting. The meeting's theme was "Fuels & Risk Management for Wildland Fire in the Cross Timbers Ecoregion", drawing a robust crowd of about 40 people.

2024 OSAF Annual Meeting

November 6-7th, 2024

The awards dinner for the 2024 OSAF annual meeting was held November 6th at the Choctaw Resort in Pocola, OK. The awards presentations were led by Vic Ford, chair of the OSAF Awards and Fellows Committee. Vic started by commenting that he is finishing his term as District IX representative on the SAF National Council. He then began the awards presentations stressing that each of the OSAF awards mirrored a national award and he encouraged those who nominated individuals for OSAF awards to also nominate them for the SAF award that it is matched to. His first award recipient was by Dr. Nana Tiam who received the OSAF Forestry Science Research Award. She was not able to attend but Michael Blazier accepted the award on her behalf. Ryan DeSantis was then awarded the OSAF Forestry Educator Award for 2024. The next award recipient was Bryan Murray who was awarded the Young Forester Leadership Award. This was followed by Steve Burgess being presented the OSAF Field Forester of the Year award. The next OSAF award recipient was Greg Hay who was presented the Lifetime Achievement Forestry Award for 2024. The final OSAF award winner was Matt Pelkki who was selected to be an SAF Fellow for 2024. The Arkansas Division then presented awards to several of their members. First to be recognized was Tim White who received the Ted Chancy Career Forester Award. The Arkansas Division then recognized those becoming members of the Arkansas Foresters Hall of Fame. First to be recognized was Dr. Don Bragg who was recognized posthumously. His plaque will be sent to his son with another being placed on the wall in the University of Arkansas – Monticello School of Forestry. The next new member of the Arkansas Foresters Hall of Fame to be recognized was Pete Prutzman. The final member of the Arkansas Foresters Hall of Fame to be recognized was Greg Hay. Following the Arkansas Division awards, the Oklahoma Division recognized award recipients. Bryan Murray was awarded the Ted Silker Young Forester Award for 15 years or less exemplary service to SAF. The final award was the Nat Walker Award for 15 years of exemplary service to SAF and the forestry community. This year’s recipient was Ed Hurliman.

2023 OSAF Annual Meeting

November 9-10th, 2023

The awards banquet for the OSAF was held in conjunction with the 2023 annual meeting on November 9th at the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge near Mena, AR. Several individuals received awards from the state, OSAF, and national levels. On the national level, Dr. Vic Ford received the prestigious Gifford Pinchot award for his contributions to the SAF at the national level. Also at the national level, Dr. Casey Meek was elected as a Fellow in the SAF for her efforts. The first OSAF award was to Joe Friend for being selected as the 2022 Field Forester of the Year. Joe was unable to attend the 2022 banquet so he was recognized in 2023. Rebecca Montgomery was presented the OSAF Forest Policy Enhancement Award, Omkar Joshi received the OSAF Young Forester Leadership Award, Eric Meyers was presented the OSAF Volunteer Leadership Award, and George Rheinhardt received the OSAF Lifetime Achievement Forestry Award. At the state division level, Alex Schwartz received the Ted Silker Award from the Oklahoma Division for being named the outstanding forester with less than 15 years of experience. Omkar Joshi received the Nat Walker Award from the Oklahoma Division as the outstanding forester with 15 years or more of experience. The Arkansas Division named Steve Burgess as the recipient of the Ted Chancy Career Forester Award. The Arkansas Foresters' Hall of Fame inducted Frank Wilson and Joe Fox as their newest members for their outstanding career accomplishments. Finally, 3 SAF members were recognized as earning their 50 Year Certificates. John Duke, Owen Graham, and John Wainscott have all been members of the SAF for 50 years and were honored even though none of them were able to attend.