The Society of American Foresters was founded by Gifford Pinchot and six other pioneer foresters in 1900. It is the official organization representing the profession of forestry in the United States. Through membership in the society foresters unite to increase scientific knowledge of forestry, to shape the policies of forestry, and promote good forest management. The territory within the jurisdiction of what is now the Inland Empire Section was at one time part of the Northern Rocky Mountain Section. In 1937 the Northern Idaho sub-section was formed under the temporary chairmanship of E.C. Rettig, and a constitution was adopted on April 9, 1938. In 1941 the sub-section was given full stature and became the Inland Empire Section. On May 1, 1981, after a period of reorganization at the national level, the section became known as the Society of American Foresters – Inland Empire Section.
From the guide to the Society of American Foresters – Inland Empire Section Records, 1938-1996, (University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives)
