Selecting a Cooperating Forester
Selecting a Cooperating Forester for Assistance.
In selecting a Cooperating Forester to work with you, choose an individual whom you feel comfortable with, knowing that he or she will serve you and represent your best interests in matters concerning your woodland. Determine your specific needs and the services required to meet them.
Contact a number of foresters that work in your geographic area, requesting a brief proposal outlining the service they can provide to meet your individual needs. Check the forester's references. The knowledge and experience of foresters varies widely.
There are no legal standards governing foresters in New York State. Inclusion in the Cooperating Forester Directory does not imply endorsement. Make sure you have an executed contract or a letter of agreement signed by both parties that spells out the services that are to be provided, when and for what cost.
You may wish to consider the following in selecting a Cooperating Forester:
- Affiliations with professional organizations
- Society of American Foresters
- Association of Consulting Foresters
- New York Institute of Consulting Foresters
- Types and duration of experience
- Education
- Attitude
- Reliability - references from clients
- Fee structures
- hourly
- percentage
- per unit basis
- Cost estimate
- Insurance
- liability
- workers compensation
- Availability throughout your project
- Willingness to listen to your objectives
- Special skills
- Recommendations from others who have used such services
