Organizations

FER’s students and faculty are active in a number of organizations devoted to the conservation and restoration of the world’s ecosystems.

Visiting the websites of these organizations can provide you with more information on this area of natural resources:

The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) International is a non-profit organization that includes over 2,000 individuals and organizational members actively engaged in ecologically-sensitive repair and management of ecosystems.

The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) supports sound natural resource management of tropical ecosystems through environmental outreach, environmental policy courses, reforestation research and the protection, investigation and management of buffer areas in field research stations.

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is a national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Its mission is to advance the science, education, technology, and practice of forestry.

The Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) is a community of scientists, conservationists, consultants, federal, state and local wetland managers plus environmentalist citizens. SWS publishes the top journal in its field; sponsors annual Society meetings and local chapter activities; acts a a professional resource for members; advocates sound wetland science and policy in Washington, D.C.; and sponsors a number of important indstry programs.

Sigma Xi is an international, multidisciplinary research society that honors scientific achievement, promotes an appreciation of the role research has played in human progress and supports scientific enterprise and original work across the spectrum of science and technology. Over the course of its 130-year history, more than 200 members have won the Nobel Prize and many more have earned election to the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering.

The North Carolina Vegetation Management Association (NCVMA) was organized to bring together people interested in the management of vegetation in the state of North Carolina. It serves as a source of vegetation management education for public and private interests by providing the latest information on research, education, regulation, contracting, manufacturing and merchandising of management techniques.

The North Carolina Urban Forest Council is a grassroots organization devoted to the protection and growth of community forestry. Members include individuals, citizen groups, non-profit organizations, businesses and agencies from around the state with an interest in community and urban forestry. The Council serves as a knowledge resource, networking forum and discussion and advocate source for urban forestry.

The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) provides a forum for the exchange of information, ideas, career advice and experiences in natural resources; advocates interdisciplinary environmental education and research; promotes campus awareness of environmental issues; and sponsors lectures, seminars and field activities to spur discussion of issues that affect natural resources and peoples at the local, regional, national and international levels.

Xi Sigma Pi is the National Forestry Honor Society, whose goal is to recognize and promote academic excellence in forestry and related disciplines. Since its founding in 1908 at the University of Washington, 43 chapters have been established around the world. Mu chapter in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University is the only chapter in North Carolina, and one of only nine chapters in the South. Only ten other chapters in the United States are older. Membership is by invitation and includes various majors in natural resources. For more information, contact the Xi Sigma Pi faculty advisor, Dr. Richard R. Braham.