About
What is ATFS?
The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) is the nation's largest and longest running recognition program for forest stewardship on private forest lands.
Established in Washington State in 1941 on industrial timberlands owned by Weyerhaeuser with the goals of telling the story that private lands could be managed sustainably and advocating for the rights of private forest owners, ATFS evolved into a national program and soon included family and individual forest landowners in addition to industrial lands.
These days, there are 42 state "Tree Farm" programs who focus on recognizing and supporting good stewardship for many benefits on forest lands owned by families and individuals, under a uniform set of standards and processes set by ATFS's national governing body, the American Forest Foundation.
Why Tree Farm?
Before the term "sustainability" became widely used, people most commonly associated the idea of producing nature-based commodities year after year with farming. Thus, the term "tree farming" came refer to the notion that conscientious forest managers could ensure the production of timber, create wildlife habitat, protect water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat in perpetuity. Although Tree Farm may conjure an image of a monoculture plantation with trees lined up neatly in rows, the majority of certified Tree Farms are managed natural forests or semi-natural planted forests. Tree Farmers take pride in the diversity found in their woods and management objectives.
Who Are Tree Farmers?
Tree Farmers are as diverse as the forests they own but have one thing in common: they are committed to caring for their forests so that they continue to offer multiple benefits over the long-term. Although the word "farm" conjures the image of a crop to be harvested, most Tree Farms are managed natural forests or semi-natural planted forests. The majority of certified Tree Farmers and Family Forest Owners rank timber harvest as less important than other objectives such as wildlife habitat improvement, recreation, and conserving a legacy for their families and communities. If you love your woods, are committed to caring for them, and enjoy interacting with fellow forest owners and conservation professionals, the American Tree Farm System might be for you!
What are the Benefits of Tree Farm
Landowners enrolling in the Tree Farm program receive a visit from a forester or conservation professional who is a qualified Tree Farm inspector, which is a great opportunity to ask questions and get advice on your management objectives. Once enrolled, every certified Tree Farmer or certified Family Forest Owner receives a "wood, wildlife, water, and recreation" sign.
Additional benefits depend upon the state where you are enrolled. Most state Tree Farm programs host at least one annual event for landowners, such as a field day or a workshop, and recognize outstanding family forest owners and forestry professionals through annual awards programs. Many distribute electronic or printed newsletters, and offer multiple ways for landowners to engage with each other or conservation professionals to advance their journey in forest stewardship. Some are even able to offer a consultation with a forestry professional at regular intervals.
