Founded in the 1950s in response to a worldwide concern for the fate of tropical and subtropical forests, the International Society of Tropical Foresters is committed to the protection, wise management and rational use of the world’s tropical forests. After a 5 year hiatus, the organization was reactivated in 2017. Since then, more than 1600 people from around the world have joined.

ISTF’s focus is on being a communication/education network to disseminate scientific knowledge and best practices for the sustainable, equitable management and conservation of the world’s tropical forests. We want to promote communication between the field practitioner and researchers and policy makers, embracing the interdisciplinary diversity of tropical forestry.

We are working to become an organization with a global core directorate and semiautonomous regional/country/organizational chapters, which act toward our mission and vision.