West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 200 - Foresters › Title 200 - LEGISLATIVE RULE STATE BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF FORESTERS › Series 200-05 - Code Of Ethics › Section 200-5-2 - Code of Ethics

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
2.1. The board
				recognizes that principles for professional conduct are required for registered
				foresters and forestry technicians to ensure confidence, respect and integrity
				in the forestry profession. The board adopts as a basis for its standards the
				national code of ethics of the Society of American Foresters. Stewardship of
				the land is the cornerstone of the forestry profession. The purpose of this
				code is to serve as the guiding principles for conduct for registered foresters
				and forestry technicians operating under the laws of West Virginia in their
				relations with each other, their employers, the public, and other
				professionals. All registered foresters and forestry technicians agree to abide
				by this code as a condition of registration.
2.1.a. A registered forester or forestry
				technician shall advocate and practice land management consistent with
				ecologically sound principles.
2.1.b. A registered forester or forestry
				technician's knowledge and skills shall be utilized for the benefit of society.
				A member shall strive for accurate, current and increasing knowledge of
				forestry, shall communicate that knowledge when not confidential, and shall
				challenge and correct untrue statements about forestry.
2.1.c. A registered forester or forestry
				technician shall advertise only in a dignified and truthful manner, stating the
				services the member is qualified and prepared to perform. The advertisements
				may include references to fees charged.
2.1.d. A registered forester or forestry
				technician shall base public comment on forestry matters on accurate knowledge
				and shall not distort or withhold pertinent information to substantiate a point
				of view. Prior to making public statements on forest policies and practices, a
				member shall indicate on whose behalf the statements are made.
2.1.e. A registered forester or forestry
				technician shall perform services consistent with the highest standards of
				quality and with loyalty to the employer.
2.1.f. A registered forester or forestry
				technician shall perform only those services for which the member is qualified
				by education or experience.
2.1.g.
				A registered forester or forestry technician who is asked to participate in
				forestry operations which deviate from accepted professional standards shall
				advise the employer in advance of the consequences of the deviation.
2.1.h. A registered forester or forestry
				technician shall not voluntarily disclose information concerning the affairs of
				the member's employer without the employer's express permission or except as
				may be required by state or federal law or a court of competent
				jurisdiction.
2.1.i. A registered
				forester or forestry technician shall avoid conflicts of interest or even the
				appearance of such conflicts. If, despite taking precautions, a conflict of
				interest is discovered, it shall be promptly and fully disclosed to the
				member's employer and the member shall be prepared to act immediately to
				resolve the conflict.
2.1.j. A
				registered forester or forestry technician shall not accept compensation or
				expenses from more than one employer for the same service, unless the parties
				involved are informed and consent.
2.1.k. A registered forester or forestry
				technician shall engage, or advise the member's employer to engage, other
				experts and specialists in forestry or related fields whenever the employer's
				interest would be best served by that action, and members shall work
				cooperatively with other professionals.
2.1.l. A registered forester or forestry
				technician shall not by false statement or dishonest action injure the
				reputation or professional associations of another member.
2.1.m. A registered forester or forestry
				technician shall give credit for the methods, ideas, or assistance obtained
				from others.
2.1.n. A registered
				forester or forestry technician in competition for supplying forestry services
				shall encourage the prospective employer to base selection of the services on
				comparison of qualifications and negotiation of fee or salary.
2.1.o. Information submitted by a registered
				forester or forestry technician about a candidate for a prospective position,
				award, or elected office shall be accurate, factual, and objective.
2.1.p. A registered forester or forestry
				technician having evidence of violation of this section by another member shall
				present the information and charges to the board.