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Active and Adaptive Management Plans

Under the AFF Standards, management plans should be active,adaptive and current to the landowner objectives. As all foresters know, management plans are much more useful if they are up-to date. But what constitutes a plan update?

Statistical Sampling – Important Update

Thanks to all of our Inspecting Foresters who made the 2006 sampling implementation year possible! As you know, ATFS is moving to a system of statistical sampling to ease the burden on State Tree Farm Committees and make Tree Farm a more credible and efficient certification system. Don’t forget, your state still has the option to complete all of the 5 year reinspections after completing the required sample inspections.

Backlog Elimination Strategy Phase 2: Properties Not Inspected in 6-9 years

Eliminating the reinspection backlog has been a priority for state Tree Farm committees in recent years.There are no longer any Tree Farms in ATFS that have not been inspected in more than 10 years. These properties were removed from the system at the beginning of the year(Phase One). Phase Two of the backlog elimination strategy is underway.

Stumped Fall 2004

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I’ve read over the new Standards several times, and to me, it seems more rigorous than the old Standards. How am I supposed to tell Tree Farmers they aren’t doing a good enough job now when the last time they were inspected, they were doing fine?

The Tree Farm Inspection Record (004 Form)

The 2004 version of the 004 Form for Tree Farm inspections is now available. Although similar to the previous 004 Form in design, the new form includes a few notable changes.

Brown to Continue as ATFS Field Operations Director

The American Tree Farm System now has a national representative located in the field.  After nearly four years in the national office, Stephanie Brown has returned to Southern Illinois.  She will continue on a 70 percent appointment as Director of Field Operations for ATFS.

Congratulations to the 2003 Regional Inspectors of the Year

Join us in recognizing these individuals for their commitment to ATFS, their state committees,and to educating the public on the benefits of sustainable forestry. 

Stumped Spring 2004

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Heritage Tree Farm Program?

ATFS Group Certification

The ATFS Group Certification Program has successfully moved from its pilot phase and is now up and running. Activities are underway to market the program to potential forest landowner groups and to train professional foresters to become lead auditors for the program.

Coming Soon: The Re-designed 004 Form.

The 004 form gets a make-over witht he help of state committee members, inspectors and Tree Farmers.

Tree Farm Inspection Backlog Elimination Strategy – Reminder

The Fall 2002 edition of Sightline outlined the two phases of the backlog elimination strategy for the American Tree Farm System.

Standards of Sustainability for Tree Farm Certification Revised

Last December, the American Forest Foundation’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved modifications to the 1997 Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification.  This approval completed the 18-month, independent third party and public review process, and set into motion the implementation of these new standards in 2004.  The adopted standard modifications cover such areas as management of special sites, operations aesthetics, water quality, biodiversity, and seeking qualified professional forest contractors. 

Gary Beyer - 2002 National Tree Farm Inspector

Gary Beyer, of Charles City, Iowa, was the recipient of the 2002 Wesley R. Meier Outstanding Inspecting Forester of the Year Award.  Beyer received his award during the National Tree Farmer Convention that was held last fall in Asheville, North Carolina.

An important note from the ATFS National Operating Committee

For the past three years the National Operating Committee (NOC) has closely monitored the increasing backlog of reinspections occurring within many states.  Reasons for the backlog are not lost on the NOC – significant downsizing in the forest industry, severe cuts in state forestry agency personnel and shifting priorities – all have contributed to our current situation.

The Infamous “Backlog”

In a world where most of us function while being overrun by our personal and professional responsibilities, it’s easy to put some activities on the back burner.  Recently, the word “back log” has surfaced in Tree Farm conversations while discussing Tree Farm re-inspections. 

The Emerging Role of Tree Farm Inspectors in Forest Certification

Some things change and some remain the same.  The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) is no exception.  For more than 60 years Tree Farm’s mission has stayed the same – getting more good forestry on more acres and keeping it there for generations to come.  It is a mission that many embrace.  As the Tree Farm program has evolved over the years, with changes in staff, priorities and policies - growing pains and all – the program has remained true to its proud heritage.

Gary Price named 2001 Inspector of the Year

Gary Price, a volunteer Tree Farm System inspector for 21 years, was named the 2001 National Tree Farm Inspector of the Year at the annual meeting of the Texas Forestry Association. Price, an avid spokesperson for sound forest management, has won the Outstanding State Inspector title three times and was named the Outstanding Area Inspector five different years.