SAF National Awards Program: Employer Leadership Award Grant

SAF National Awards Program: Employer Leadership Award Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Society of American Foresters (SAF)
Amount: More than US $500
Last Updated: December 03, 2025

Summary

The SAF National Awards Program recognizes outstanding contributions to forestry through various awards, including the Employer Leadership Award. This award honors employers who significantly support SAF members' professional engagement. Recipients receive a $500 honorarium, complimentary convention registration, and travel expense support. The program aims to celebrate the achievements of individuals and organizations in promoting sustainable forestry practices and enhancing professional development, ultimately driving excellence in natural resource management.

Overview

Note: The award is by nomination. Nominations for the SAF National Awards will close on the date indicated above. About SAF We are the organization that represents forestry professionals and provides leadership to ensure that all members of the profession achieve excellence in sustainable forestry and natural resource management. National Awards Program Through our 15 national awards (and Fellow and Presidential Field Forester awards), SAF celebrates and honors scientists, researchers, educators, innovators, leaders, communicators, field foresters, employers, local SAF units, and others that have made significant impact on forestry in the United States and internationally. Forest Science and Technology Awards Award in Forest ScienceBarrington Moore Memorial Award in Biological ScienceTechnology Transfer Award Communications Awards Outstanding Forestry Journalism AwardW. D. Hagenstein Communicator Award Leadership Awards Cultural and Community Engagement AwardEmployer Leadership AwardOutstanding Local Unit Achievement AwardStudent Leadership Award Professional Development Awards Carl Alwin Schenck AwardGifford Pinchot MedalHonorary MembershipJohn A. Beale Memorial AwardSir William Schlich Memorial AwardYoung Forester Leadership Award Employer Leadership Award This award recognizes an employer of SAF members that demonstrates leadership by consistently and significantly supporting their employees’ participation in SAF and broader engagement in the profession. Note that this employer may or may not be an SAF member him/herself. The award includes a $500 honorarium for the recipient’s training and development fund, one complimentary SAF convention registration, and up to $500 to offset convention travel expenses. The award is presented at the SAF National Convention.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Nominees must be employers of SAF members, and may be any type of organization, public or private, or any subunit thereof that has primary headquarters in the United States. Nominations may come from within the organization. Criteria Evaluation will be based on meeting the following criteria:LeadershipNominees shall be acknowledged organizational leaders who have demonstrated leadership and initiative in supporting their employees’ engagement and active involvement in SAF and the broader profession at multiple levelsImpactAs a direct result of their employee support activities, nominees shall have had a significant positive effect on employee participation in SAF, including support of employees taking leadership roles within the society. Evidence of impact may include but is not limited to documentation of current employee SAF membership relative to the total number of natural resource professionals employed by the organization. QualityNominees shall have demonstrated strict adherence to high professional standards. Evidence of quality may include but is not limited to the receipt of awards or recognition from other organizations or groups.Level of ActivityNominees shall have a demonstrated record of accomplishments related to employee support of SAF activities and involvement. Evaluation of nominee activity will include the following key elements: An established, documented employer support policy and/or procedures that is well understood across the organization and can be effectively utilized and referenced by employees on a regular basis. These documents typically provide clear parameters of support and set expectations for all employees;From the top of the organization down through the managers and supervisors in the chain of command, the policy is articulated and implemented consistently and professional involvement is encouraged;The top forestry/natural resource leaders of the organization actually participate and are involved in SAF themselves: attending meetings, serving as officers, making presentations, and generally “leading by example.”An established, documented employer policy that supports and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization, including a commitment to equal opportunity employment.