From time to time, the SAF Council charters the establishment of task forces or national committees to study forestry and natural resource policy issues of particular interest to the Society.

Typically, these groups provide Council with their findings and recommendations in report form. Council generally directs the publication of approved reports. These reports also serve as the basis for Society position statements on the particular issue studied.

The process from start to finish is rigorous and involves a cross section of the Society's membership (employer categories, geographic locals, cultural and gender diversity). This guarantees that Society positions on forest and related natural resource management issues consider and reflect multi-facets of given issues are adequately based in the best science available.