Support the Forest History Society

Since the founding of the Forest History Society (FHS) in 1946, the generosity of members and donors has sustained the Society's fiscal health, allowing for the continuing development of innovative research resources, publications, educational outreach programs, fellowships and awards, and special events and projects.

In 2004 the Society began its first Annual Fund drive to better reflect the fundraising goals of a nonprofit educational historical society. Together with honorary endowment programs and estate planning, the Annual Fund helps to generate the revenue necessary to ensure the success of our mission to preserve our precious forest heritage. All minimum contributors to the Annual Fund are members of the Society.

FHS Annual Fund

The Forest History Society's Annual Fund encourages unrestricted ongoing support for the work of the Society. Annual Fund gifts vary in size according to each person's means and can be made at any time during the fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th). With a gift of $55 or more, you will receive the Society's quarterly journal Environmental History, our Forest History Today magazine, and our Forest Timeline newsletter. Donors at the $100 level or above also receive select new releases of our Issues Series books. FHS invites you to help us preserve forest, conservation, and environmental history by becoming an Annual Fund donor.

FHS Endowment Programs

Throughout the history of the Society, many friends have contributed to a number of endowment funds named in honor of individuals who gave many years of outstanding service to FHS. Funds raised in the memory of benefactors allow FHS to continue the work that these individuals so strongly supported. Current FHS endowment fund projects honor the memory of former U.S. Forest Service chief John R. McGuire (1916-2002), longtime FHS Board member Lynn Weyerhaeuser Day (1932-1999), and staunch advocate of archives Alvin J. Huss (1904-1998). The Day and Huss endowments have been augmented with funds from a Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The John R. McGuire Endowment assists with the maintenance and development of the U. S. Forest Service History Collection and interviews related to the U.S. Forest Service produced by the FHS Oral History Program.

The Lynn W. Day Endowment for Publications in Forest History supports the Society's Visiting Scholars program, the FHS Distinguished Lectureship in Forest and Conservation History, and the production of monograph publications.

The Alvin J. Huss Endowment for Digitization and Outreach supports broader access to the archival holdings of the FHS through the use of digital technologies.

Estate Planning

Leaving a legacy to the Forest History Society is one of the most lasting gifts you can make. The funds received from estate planning legacies enable the Society to continue its vital work to understand the past and provide essential historical information for natural resource decisions. All those who make a planned gift are members of the Forest History Society Circle of Stewards, which recognizes individuals who give cash, real estate, or other assets directly in a will, trust, or life insurance plan.