Network News: Inspectors Archive
Stumped May 2017
Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q: As an inspector, how often do I need to complete an inspection or take a refresher training course to stay active?
Read More >Categories: StumpedThe Importance of Inspections
ATFS
Inspectors are often the primary liaison between the ATFS program and
landowners, offering guidance, support, and information about sustainable
forest management. In many instances, a landowner’s positive experience with an
ATFS Inspector leads to the recruitment of their neighbors, strengthening our
network of stewardship across the country.
Gratitude - Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month!
Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? During the month of April, we celebrate the work that volunteers like you do year-round to help the American Tree Farm System, and the landowners we all serve, achieve our goals of delivering measurable, positive impacts on clean water, abundant wildlife habitat, and wood supplies.
Volunteer Highlight: Tom Westergeen
ATFS
volunteers, inspectors, state committee members and Tree Farmers have been
critical to the ATFS program’s success for more than 75 years. One of
Washington’s many dedicated Tree Farm inspectors, Tom Westergreen, is no
exception.
Don’t Lapse! Inspector Refresher Training Available Online
If
your inspector credentials are going to expire soon, you may renew them for
another 2 years by either completing an inspection on the ground or by taking the
AFF Standards Online Refresher.
Stumped April 2017
Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How Can ATFS Inspectors and Tree Farmers be recognized for their outstanding work?
Read More >Categories: Stumped2017 NLC Recap
Last
month, ATFS hosted the 2017 National Leadership Conference in Greenville, South
Carolina. This annual leadership development conference brings together
leaders, volunteers and partners of ATFS for three days of networking and
information-sharing. The 2017 event hosted more than 215 guests, including more
than 78 first-time attendees, and featured a robust agenda of engaging
speakers.
Assessment and Certification Update
At the NLC, we announced the 2018 Assessment states: Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Virginia. We look forward to working with these committees throughout the assessment process.
Stumped March 2017
Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are you taking advantage of the SAF CFEs that are available based on your involvement with ATFS?
Read More >Categories: StumpedAnnouncing the 2017 Regional Outstanding Inspectors of the Year
The American Tree
Farm System (ATFS) would not be where it is today without the hard work and
dedication of a broad network of ATFS Inspectors working on the ground with
landowners. Every year, we are proud to recognize a few of these outstanding
volunteers who have gone above and beyond in helping landowners to achieve
their goals. The Regional and National Inspector of the Year Award program
begins every year with nominations from state Tree Farm programs. For the 2017
award, we received 15 nominations from the four regions, and today we are proud
to announce the four 2017 Regional Outstanding Inspectors of the Year.
2017 Assessment Update
Last
month, representatives from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and ATFS met for
opening meetings with the state committees in Colorado, Maine, Maryland,
Montana, North Carolina, and South Carolina to begin the 2018 assessment
process.
Read More >Categories: Assessments Certification
Stumped February 2017
Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q: In the database, what is the difference between inactive and archived status of inspectors?
Read More >Categories: StumpedNew Year, New Focus On Inspections
On-the-ground
inspections are a fundamental component of the American Tree Farm System’s
(ATFS) success, and ATFS Inspectors are key to implementing this outreach to
Tree Farmers. Regular communication and outreach is essential to maintaining
relationships with all ATFS Tree Farmers, especially those who have not been
engaged recently, to ensure that they are managing their forests to the ATFS Standards
and upholding the integrity of the program. This outreach requires solid
inspector engagement and assignment strategies, a thorough system-wide database
clean-up combined with tailored intentional landowner communication to ensure
the momentum created by the State’s
Voice, State’s Choice initiative continues.
New Inspector Engagement in 2017
In 2017, ATFS will launch pilot programs with 3-5 states to
help us learn more about what approaches are most successful to increase the
number of inspections done each year. Our goal is to have all active inspectors
that are trained to the current standards complete at least two inspections per
year. Of course, we know that many of you do way more than this, which is
greatly appreciated; however, many inspectors are trained and never complete a
single inspection.
Read More >Categories: Inspectors Program Info
Stumped January 2017
Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you have questions about completing or submitting the 004 inspection form?
Read More >Categories: StumpedGratitude - Hats off to Our Inspectors!
December is a good month for reflection. As we
think back over this past year, and the celebration of the 75th
Anniversary of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), we think of gratitude.
Gratitude for all that you, the ATFS Inspectors, have accomplished this past
year and in 75 years of support. Inspectors are a key component of the American
Tree Farm System. You are the voice of ATFS on the ground and the direct link
to our Tree Farmers. And each one of you has given enough to ensure the
creation of a thousand forests in the next 75 years.
Introducing the New Inspection (004) Form Course
In addition to the online inspector training refresher
available online in the ATFS Database, Inspectors can now access the newest learning
module of the inspector training – the Inspection (004) Form.
Read More >Categories: Certification Inspectors Program Info
Congratulations to the 2016 National OTFY
Thank you to the Oregon Tree Farm Committee for nominating the Defrees family of northeast Oregon, who were recently named the 2016 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. The Defrees family truly embodies what it means to be a champion for ATFS as well as an outstanding steward of the forest now and for the future generation.
Read More >Categories: Program Info RecognitionsStumped November 2016
Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I easily break up multiple Tree Farms in the ATFS Database?
Read More >Categories: StumpedStandard 8: Forest Product Harvests and Other Activities
When conducting forestry activities, landowners must ensure that their actions and those actions taken on their behalf are in conformance with both the landowner’s objectives and the ATFS Standards. In order to safeguard landowners from liability risks and protect their assets, we encourage landowners to work with qualified natural resource professionals and contractors and review the Standards before planning management activities. If the landowner’s objectives do not specify directives as to harvest, utilization and removals, then regional norms and accepted practices are expected
Read More >Categories: Certification Good Management Practices