Has the myth of the omnipotent forester become the reality of the impotent forester?

Abstract

Almost 40 years ago, Behan's (1966) article (Behan, R.W. 1966. The myth of the omnipotent forester. J. For. 64:398-407) stressed that the role of professional foresters in the United States was not to tell the public how to manage their forests, but to manage according to society's goals. This article considers whether foresters have heeded this advice or neglected it, thereby creating the reality of the impotent forester. Some disturbing trends suggest the latter case may be occurring.