During the summer of 2005, a Forestry Summit was held in Springfield to examine the vast array of forestry issues across the state. Arguably, one of the most significant results of the summit was the creation of the Illinois Forestry Association.

Officially established in 2006, the Illinois Forestry Association is a grass-roots organization with a diverse membership of concerned citizens, forest landowners, farmers, forestry and natural resources professionals, conservation organizations, universities, state and federal agencies, forest industries, private companies, and enthusiasts of Illinois' great outdoors! We currently boast a proud membership of 600+ individuals and organizations and it is our mission to be "the voice for Illinois forests" across the great state of Illinois.

Partners & Charter Members include:

• 35 Dedicated Individuals and Families
• Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts
  • Marion County SWCD
  • Marshall-Putnam SWCD
  • McLean County SWCD
  • Perry County SWCD
  • Williamson County SWCD (in memory of Bob Nelson)
• Henry Tree Commission
• Illinois Consulting Foresters, Inc.
• Illinois Division of Forest Resource - Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources
• Illinois Forestry Development Council
• Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
• Illinois Society of American Foresters
• Illinois Tree Farm Committee
• Northwest Illinois Forestry Association
• Prairie Rivers RC&D
• Shawnee RC&D
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale - Department of Forestry
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences