About SWST

A Bridge Linking Academia, Community, Industry and Government

Our Vision

To be the world leader in advancing the profession of wood science.

Our Mission

To provide service to SWST members; to develop, maintain, and promulgate the educational, scientific, and ethical standards that define the profession; and to advocate the socially responsible production and use of wood and lignocellulosic materials.

OUR PLEDGE

SWST, YOUR PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY, PLEDGES TO:

Develop and maintain the unique body of knowledge distinctive to the science and technology of wood and other lignocellulosic materials.
Encourage the communication and use of this knowledge.
Promote policies and procedures which assure the wise and responsible use of wood and other lignocellulosic materials.
Assure high standards for professional performance of wood scientists and technologists.
Foster educational programs at all levels of wood science, other lignocellulosic materials and their technologies, and further the quality of such programs.

AS AN SWST MEMBER YOU RECEIVE:

1. Online access to Wood and Fiber Science Journal with the option to buy a hard copy
2. Online access to BioProducts Business Journal
3. State-of-the-Art Papers
4. Book Reviews
5. Membership Directory
6. Special Publications produced during the year
7. Social Media Posts
8. Award opportunities (see awards page)

History of SWST

Wood science originated in ancient Greece with the philosopher and writer Theophrastus (327-287 BC) who first wrote about the nature of wood and its uses. Wood Science and Technology as a discrete academic and professional discipline appeared among the earliest North American forestry education programs in the 1890s. The U.S. Federal government made considerable research investments in wood science through two world wars which laid the foundation for post war expansion in interest and attention on wood as a material. Wood science education programs multiplied in the late 1940s and early 1950s, but there was no curricular consistency or common foundation in those programs.

The Society of American Foresters first served as a forum and professional home for wood scientists. However, as interest and the number of new wood scientists grew, a new home was needed. The Forest Products Research Society was formed in 1947 and began to serve as the new home for wood-use professionals. The FPRS-Education Committee, established in 1950, played a major role in the definition and direction of education in wood science and technology and sowed the seeds for the origin of SWST. By 1957, a nucleus of eminent wood scientists and wood technologists began discussing ways to meet their needs for a professional identity and professional society. At the annual meeting of the Forest Products Research Society held in Buffalo, New York, in June 1957, a call was made by the author and his colleague, Ben Jayne, to convene a group in an effort to answer the question: “Where is the ‘Research’ in the Forest Products Research Society?” From this meeting of interested parties, a committee was appointed to look further into the matter. The committee comprised the following individuals: James Bethel, Chairman, Fred Dickinson, Herbert Fleischer, Ben Jayne, George Marra, Steven Preston, Jack Stillinger, and Carl deZeeuw. A meeting to be held a year later, on Sunday, 22 June 1958, in Madison, Wisconsin, just prior to the FPRS annual meeting. It was held at the home of Robert Youngs. The committee prepared a draft constitution for a society which, temporarily, was named the American Institute of Wood Engineering. The name was changed to Society of Wood Science and Technology and incorporated on June 5th, 1961. Through the years SWST has matured into a well-respected international society.

First 40 Years of SWST – 1958-1998 – By Everett Ellis

Member Handbook