By Alan P. Bruce, R.F
ASBRF Chair 2024

Leading up to 1950, there were pro and con discussions within the Alabama Chapter of the Society of American Foresters (Alabama SAF). The Alabama forestry community at large saw a need to have a licensing law to protect the public from fraud, deceit, trickery schemes and other treachery. Requiring qualified, trustworthy credentials for foresters was especially important to the State Forester in ensuring that his foresters were competent with the public in managing the natural resources of Alabama.

The Alabama Forest Products Association (Alabama Forestry Association), The Alabama Forestry Council, the Auburn Forestry Alumni Association and the leadership of forest products industry in Alabama supported the idea of licensing foresters.

In 1950, the Alabama Chapter of the Society of American Foresters began seriously considering legislation for licensing foresters in Alabama. Committees were established to write a bill and shepherd it through the legislative process. On September 13, 1957, a new law passed and created the Alabama Board of Registration for Foresters.

The first Board was appointed by Governor Folsom from a list provided by the Alabama SAF Chair, Bill Sizemore. The first appointed Board met on January 27, 1958. The initial Board consisted of Alabama State Forester Jake Stauffer, Gulf States -Vance Miles, Auburn Professor W.B. DeVall, TVA – John Mitchel, Soil Conservation Service – C.T. Prout.

The Board was set up to not be funded by the legislature . The Alabama Forestry Council donated $450 at its January 1958 meeting to the ABRF to purchase supplies and provide administrative assistance to facilitate initial operations. The Board has operated from donations and self-sustained fees its entire existence.

In 1958, Vance Miles proposed the ASBRF Seal. The seal is modeled from the Chinese design of perpetuity and the symbols within the seal represent a factory building, the trees represent the forestry sources, the stream represents the water source, the chemistry apparatus represents science, the Aladdin's lamp represents the magic of knowledge, the silhouette represents the State of Alabama, and the gearwheel represents that of the wheel of progress.

Over the years over 80 foresters have served on the Board. The Board has been operated day to day by several administrative staff, keeping the Board organized and functioning. Mary Autry was the first clerical administrator, followed by Office Managers Pamela Sears and Alexis London. Today the Board is served by Executive Director Lea Anna Meadows, Registered Forester.

Since inception, the Board has issued over 2,750 Alabama Licenses as well as approving reciprocity of numerous neighboring state Registered Foresters. In 2024, there were over 1,000 Registered Foresters currently licensed to practice forestry in Alabama. The Board tests over 30 applicants per year at quarterly intervals in Montgomery and at Auburn and Alabama A&M as requested.

Today the Board approves dozens of Continuing Forestry Education programs and reviews and audits CFE compliance annually at renewal. The Board handles complaints against Registered Foresters and unregistered foresters practicing forestry. Rules and regulations are updated as needed. A newsletter is published twice a year, and the Board’s website is updated frequently with information needed by the public,  registered forester licensees and applicants. The Board oversees the finances of operating the Board as well as the interface with state agencies, the legislature and Governor’s office.

References: Board History, A Brief Overview of Forty Years, Alabama Board of Registration for Foresters, Murphy, Harry E., RF, Registered Forester #299, ASBRF, Montgomery, Alabama.