Inventory of the Association of Consulting Foresters of America Records, 1954 - 2001

Descriptive Summary

Abstract:	The Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc. (ACF) was founded in 1948 to advance the professionalism, ethics, and interests of professional foresters whose primary work was consulting to the public. The ACF is the only national association for consulting foresters.
	The collection consists of Association of Consulting Foresters records largely concerning the organization and its operations. The collection is divided into six series, including files on financial and tax documents; office policies and procedures; advertising and promotion; staff and members; individual ACF chapters, focusing largely on the Alabama chapter; and correspondence and interaction with organizations such as the Practicing Foresters Institute of Trust (PFIT), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and other independent organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Also included in these series are files on ACF committees, meetings, ethical and legislative concerns, and history of the ACF; a bound volume of Historical Perspective, the Early Years provides a brief history of the organization, its leaders, and its accomplishments. This collection contains a large number of records and correspondence pertaining to influential people who shaped ACF history, including John Bradley Jr. (President of ACF 1974-1976; Chairman of Resource Management Services Inc., Chairman of Alabama Chapter ACF), Harry Murphy (ACF member, President of Resource Operations Inc., Executive Vice President of Resource Management Services Inc.), and L. Keville Larson (ACF President 1982-1984). The collection also contains reference to other significant people including Arthur Ennis, Colin Bagwell, Robert Fiske, Frank Bennett, John T. Clark, Harvey Striplin Jr., and William Banzhaf.
Title:	Association of Consulting Foresters of America Records, 1954 - 2001
Creator:	Association of Consulting Foresters of America
Repository:	Forest History Society Library and Archives
Call Number:	7125
Language of Material:	Material in English
Extent:	24.0 linear feet (16 record cartons)

Historical Note

The Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc. (ACF) was founded in 1948 to advance the professionalism, ethics, and interests of professional foresters whose primary work was consulting to the public. The ACF is the only national association for consulting foresters.

In the spring of 1948, Alex Setser, a consulting forester from Tennessee, began polling all of the consulting foresters in the United States, concerned with networking and sharing of ideas within the profession. He realized that an organization was needed to represent these consultants and allow them to acquaint themselves with their colleagues, protect the field by establishing uniform standards, disseminate new practices, and provide foresters, as well as their clients, with a means of locating consulting foresters of proven reputation. In December 1948, an organizational meeting was held in Boston, and five foresters joined to create the Association of Consulting Foresters of America. These men who later became the association's founding members were Halsey Hicks, Robert Moore, Clinton Peltier, Ed Stuart, and J. Atwood Whitman.

The ACF was originally conceived as a division of the Society of American Foresters, but members opted to form a separate entity. The organization was founded on the principles of maintaining and enforcing ethical standards in forestry, increasing legislative activity, providing information, primarily through its Consultant monthly journal, and promoting the use of expertise in the management of forestry resources through continuing education offerings. The association later stated its purpose in its Constitution, Bylaws, and its Code of Ethics. The ACF requires that all of its members have a forestry degree from an approved college or university, at least five years of practical experience in forest management and administration, and at least one year's experience as a forestry consultant. As of October 2008, ACF maintains more than 675 members in 38 states and 1 Canadian province. The ACF is divided into twenty-two regional chapters and is headquartered just outside of Washington D.C.

Collection Overview

The collection consists of Association of Consulting Foresters records largely concerning the organization and its operations. The collection is divided into six series, including files on financial and tax documents; office policies and procedures; advertising and promotion; staff and members; individual ACF chapters, focusing largely on the Alabama chapter; and correspondence and interaction with organizations such as the Practicing Foresters Institute of Trust (PFIT), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and other independent organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Also included in these series are files on ACF committees, meetings, ethical and legislative concerns, and history of the ACF; a bound volume of Historical Perspective, the Early Years provides a brief history of the organization, its leaders, and its accomplishments.

This collection contains a large number of records and correspondence pertaining to influential people who shaped ACF history, including John Bradley Jr. (President of ACF 1974-1976; Chairman of Resource Management Services Inc., Chairman of Alabama Chapter ACF), Harry Murphy (ACF member, President of Resource Operations Inc., Executive Vice President of Resource Management Services Inc.), and L. Keville Larson (ACF President 1982-1984). The collection also contains reference to other significant people including Arthur Ennis, Colin Bagwell, Robert Fiske, Frank Bennett, John T. Clark, Harvey Striplin Jr., and William Banzhaf.

Collection Arrangement

The Association of Consulting Foresters records had a loose organizational structure when donated, however, some changes were made to the collection in order to make it more accessible. Various files were reorganized and renamed, misplaced items were correctly filed, and duplicate copies were discarded. The first installment of the original collection contained twelve boxes, and eleven boxes remained after reorganization. The second installment was received in seven boxes, which were physically merged with the first collection; after weeding out duplicates and some restructuring, the collection consists of a total of 16 boxes. Staples were replaced, clips were removed, newspaper clippings were photocopied, and the folders and boxes were replaced with acid-free ones. Documents within files are arranged in reverse chronological order.

The records are arranged into six series:

1. Series I: ACF Administration, 1954-2000

1.1 Subseries A: Financial Documents, 1975-1995

1.2 Subseries B: Policies and Procedures, 1968-1995

1.3 Subseries C: Advertising and Publications, 1954-1990

1.4 Subseries D: Staff, 1968-2001

1.5 Subseries E: Membership, 1974-2000

1.6 Subseries F: History, 1948-1998

2. Series II: ACF Committees, Projects and Programs, 1969-1994

2.1 Subseries A: Practicing Foresters Institute Trust, 1986-1994

2.2 Subseries B: ACF/TVA/USFS/State Program, 1975-1987

2.3 Subseries C: ACF Committees, 1973-1997

2.4 Subseries D: ACF and Independent Organizations, 1969-1993

3. Series III: Ethics, Competition and Legislation, 1955-2000

3.1 Subseries A: Ethics, 1971-1994

3.2 Subseries B: Cooperative Forestry Management and Other Government Competition, 1955-1995

3.3 Subseries C: Landowner Assistance Programs, 1974-1995

3.4 Subseries D: Legislation, 1971-2000

4. Series IV: ACF Chapters, 1971-2000

5. Series V: ACF Conventions and Meetings, 1969-2001

6. Series VI: ACF General Files, 1955-1996

Subject Headings

• Association of Consulting Foresters of America
• Bagwell, Colin
• Banzhaf, William H.
• Bennett, Frank
• Bradley, John, Jr.
• Clark, John T.
• Fiske, Robert
• Forestry consultants
• Forestry consultants -- Societies, etc.
• Forests and forestry -- Societies, etc.
• Forests and forestry -- United States -- 20th century
• Larson, Keville L.
• Murphy, Harry
• Practicing Foresters Institute of Trust
• Society of American Foresters
• Striplin, Harvey, Jr.
• Tennessee Valley Authority
• United States. Environmental Protection Agency

Detailed Description of the Collection

Box 1   Folder 1Box 1   Folder 2Box 1   Folder 3Box 1   Folder 4Box 1   Folder 5Box 1   Folder 6Box 1   Folder 7Box 1   Folder 8Box 1   Folder 9 Box 1   Folder 10Box 1   Folder 11Box 1   Folder 12Box 1   Folder 13Box 1   Folder 14Box 1   Folder 15Box 1   Folder 16 Box 1   Folder 17Box 1   Folder 18-19Box 1   Folder 20Box 1   Folder 21Box 1   Folder 22Box 1   Folder 23Box 2   Folder 1Box 2   Folder 2Box 2   Folder 3Box 2   Folder 4 Box 2   Folder 5Box 2   Folder 6Box 2   Folder 7Box 2   Folder 8Box 2   Folder 9Box 2   Folder 10Box 2   Folder 11Box 2   Folder 12Box 2   Folder 13Box 2   Folder 14Box 2   Folder 15Box 2   Folder 16 Box 3   Folder 1Box 3   Folder 2Box 3   Folder 3Box 3   Folder 4Box 3   Folder 5Box 3   Folder 6Box 3   Folder 7Box 3   Folder 8Box 3   Folder 9-10Box 3   Folder 11Box 3   Folder 12Box 3   Folder 13Box 3   Folder 14Box 3   Folder 15 Box 3   Folder 16Box 3   Folder 17Box 3   Folder 18 Box 4   Folder 1Box 4   Folder 2Box 4   Folder 3Box 4   Folder 4Box 4   Folder 5-6Box 4   Folder 7Box 4   Folder 8Box 4   Folder 9Box 4   Folder 10Box 4   Folder 11Box 4   Folder 12Box 4   Folder 13Box 4   Folder 14Box 4   Folder 15Box 4   Folder 16Box 4   Folder 17Box 5   Folder 1Box 5   Folder 2Box 5   Folder 3Box 5   Folder 4Box 5   Folder 5Box 5   Folder 6Box 5   Folder 7Box 5   Folder 8Box 5   Folder 9Box 5   Folder 10 Box 5   Folder 11Box 5   Folder 12Box 5   Folder 13Box 5   Folder 14Box 5   Folder 15Box 5   Folder 16Box 5   Folder 17Box 5   Folder 18Box 5   Folder 19Box 6   Folder 1Box 6   Folder 2Box 6   Folder 3Box 6   Folder 4Box 6   Folder 5Box 6   Folder 6 Box 6   Folder 7Box 6   Folder 8Box 6   Folder 9Box 6   Folder 10Box 6   Folder 11Box 6   Folder 12Box 6   Folder 13Box 6   Folder 14Box 6   Folder 15Box 6   Folder 16Box 6   Folder 17Box 6   Folder 18Box 6   Folder 19Box 6   Folder 20Box 6   Folder 21 Box 7   Folder 1Box 7   Folder 2Box 7   Folder 3Box 7   Folder 4Box 7   Folder 5Box 7   Folder 6Box 7   Folder 7Box 7   Folder 8Box 7   Folder 9Box 7   Folder 10Box 7   Folder 11Box 7   Folder 12Box 7   Folder 13Box 7   Folder 14Box 7   Folder 15Box 7   Folder 16Box 7   Folder 17Box 7   Folder 18Box 7   Folder 19 Box 7   Folder 20Box 7   Folder 21Box 7   Folder 22Box 7   Folder 23Box 7   Folder 24 Box 8   Folder 1Box 8   Folder 2Box 8   Folder 3Box 8   Folder 4Box 8   Folder 5Box 8   Folder 6 Box 8   Folder 7Box 8   Folder 8Box 8   Folder 9Box 8   Folder 10Box 8   Folder 11Box 8   Folder 12 Box 8   Folder 13Box 8   Folder 14Box 8   Folder 15Box 8   Folder 16Box 8   Folder 17Box 8   Folder 18Box 8   Folder 19 Box 9   Folder 1Box 9   Folder 2Box 9   Folder 3Box 9   Folder 4Box 9   Folder 5Box 9   Folder 6Box 9   Folder 7Box 9   Folder 8Box 9   Folder 9Box 9   Folder 10Box 9   Folder 11Box 9   Folder 12Box 9   Folder 13Box 9   Folder 14Box 9   Folder 15Box 9   Folder 16Box 9   Folder 17Box 9   Folder 18Box 9   Folder 19Box 9   Folder 20Box 9   Folder 21Box 9   Folder 22Box 9   Folder 23Box 9   Folder 24Box 9   Folder 25Box 9   Folder 26Box 9   Folder 27Box 9   Folder 28Box 9   Folder 29Box 9   Folder 30Box 9   Folder 31Box 9   Folder 32Box 9   Folder 33Box 9   Folder 34Box 9   Folder 35Box 9   Folder 36Box 9   Folder 37Box 9   Folder 38Box 9   Folder 39Box 10   Folder 1Box 10   Folder 2Box 10   Folder 3Box 10   Folder 4Box 10   Folder 5Box 10   Folder 6Box 10   Folder 7Box 10   Folder 8Box 10   Folder 9Box 10   Folder 10Box 10   Folder 11 Box 10   Folder 12Box 10   Folder 13Box 10   Folder 14Box 10   Folder 15Box 10   Folder 16Box 10   Folder 17Box 10   Folder 18Box 10   Folder 19Box 10   Folder 20Box 10   Folder 21Box 10   Folder 22Box 10   Folder 23Box 10   Folder 24Box 10   Folder 25Box 10   Folder 26Box 10   Folder 27Box 10   Folder 28Box 10   Folder 29Box 10   Folder 30Box 10   Folder 31Box 10   Folder 32Box 10   Folder 33Box 10   Folder 34Box 10   Folder 35Box 10   Folder 36Box 10   Folder 37Box 10   Folder 38Box 10   Folder 39-40Box 10   Folder 41Box 10   Folder 42 Box 11   Folder 1Box 11   Folder 2Box 11   Folder 3Box 11   Folder 4Box 11   Folder 5Box 11   Folder 6-7Box 11   Folder 8-9Box 11   Folder 10-11Box 11   Folder 12-13Box 12   Folder 1-2Box 12   Folder 3Box 12   Folder 4-5Box 12   Folder 6Box 12   Folder 7Box 12   Folder 8-9Box 12   Folder 10Box 12   Folder 11-12Box 12   Folder 13Box 13   Folder 1Box 13   Folder 2-3Box 13   Folder 4-5Box 13   Folder 6Box 13   Folder 7-8Box 13   Folder 9-10Box 13   Folder 11Box 13   Folder 12-13Box 13   Folder 14Box 14   Folder 1-2Box 14   Folder 3Box 14   Folder 4Box 14   Folder 5-6Box 14   Folder 7-8Box 14   Folder 9-10Box 14   Folder 11-12Box 14   Folder 13Box 14   Folder 14Box 15   Folder 1-3Box 15   Folder 4Box 15   Folder 5-6Box 15   Folder 7Box 15   Folder 8-9Box 15   Folder 10-11Box 15   Folder 12Box 15   Folder 13Box 15   Folder 14-15Box 16   Folder 1-2Box 16   Folder 3-4Box 16   Folder 5

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Forest History Society's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Forest History Society claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Association of Consulting Foresters of America Records, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Received from the Association of Consulting Foresters of America on May 1999 (arranged by Harry Murphy) and February 2002 (donated by Keville Larson).

Processing Information

Processed by Ashley Autry, June 2001, and Elizabeth Arnold, February 2002

Encoded by Amanda Ross, October 2008

Funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission supported the encoding of this finding aid. Support for digitization and outreach provided by the Alvin J. Huss Endowment.