Network News: Inspectors Archive

A New Direction: State's Voice, State's Choice

During the past several years, the American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) community has engaged in a process of testing, listening and learning. This process has included piloting new models, examining our third-party assessment results and reviewing market trend analysis and research by the U.S. Forest Service and others. We have also engaged in many discussions with landowners, state Tree Farm committee members, ATFS inspecting foresters, state and federal agencies, and partners in the forest industry and the conservation community across the country.

ATFS Standards Under Review

The ATFS Standards of Sustainability are the basis for the American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) program and must be met for a property to become a Tree Farm. These standards are under review in 2014 by the Independent Standards Review Panel (ISRP).

Stumped Spring 2014

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: New landowners just purchased a Tree Farm that has been in the program for 50 years. The new landowners wish to remain in the program. Can they use the old owner’s management plan, implement those recommendations and keep the Tree Farm number and 50-year status? Or do they need to start from scratch?

The Making of a Plan: More than the Sum of its Parts

Forest management plans are central to the concept of sustainable forestry. These documents encompass not only management goals and pathways for achieving them but also reflect the uniqueness of the property and the landowner, your professional expertise as a forester and the insights of the broader forestry community. The management plan has long been a core pillar of the American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) program and is a key element of the 2010–2015 ATFS Standards of Sustainability.

New Tools Make Certification Easier than Ever!

Inspecting Foresters are the key to a successful American Tree Farm System® (ATFS). Working with more than 82,000 Tree Farmers, you provide the on-the-ground validation of sustainability on the 24 million acres of certified forestland nationwide. ATFS is committed to providing you the tools you need to continue to effectively serve your landowners.

Stumped Fall 2013

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I’m doing a re-inspection with a landowner who has been in the program for years. He is very proud of his stewardship and proudly displays the Tree Farm sign. However, his management plan is about 10 years old and is probably due for an update. It is also missing a couple of the required elements for certification, including threatened and endangered species, invasive species and special sites. The landowner has committed to updating his plan next year. Should the property be decertified?

Best Management Practices for Water Quality

For most foresters, working with water features and implementing forestry best management practices (BMPs) are natural and routine parts of business in the woods. Working with landowners on water quality begins with management plan development and continues with implementing management activities over time.

Stumped Summer 2013

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am helping a landowner prepare for a timber sale. In developing the contracts with loggers, are there any insurance considerations or other contractor requirements under the American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) Standards?

Independently Managed Groups

In addition to becoming certified individually through a state Tree Farm committee, a landowner may also be American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) certified through an Independently Managed Group (IMG).

Special Sites

Special sites are areas of unique historical, archeological, cultural, geographic, biological, or ecological value

Stumped Spring 2013

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: One of my landowner clients owns a small family business and conducts frequent annual harvests. Is this ownership considered nonindustrial? Is American Tree Farm System® certification right for them?

Taking Advantage of Online Natural Heritage Databases

As an ATFS Inspecting Forester, you work closely with landowners to help them learn about their woods and sustainable forestry, while achieving their stewardship goals. Tree Farmers are ambassadors for good forestry,which includes managing for some unique and less understood resources, such as imperiled species, special sites or high- conservation-value forests.

Connect with Landowners on MyLandPlan.org

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has launched a new website to help woodland owners protect and enjoy their woods. Not only is MyLandPlan.org stacked with cords of useful information for landowners, but it provides a new way for you to connect with potential clientele.

Inspecting Foresters and ATFS: A Vital Partnership

The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) operates as a partnership with thousands of Inspecting Foresters across the country. These natural resource professionals provide on-the-ground validation essential for the integrity of the program. By working together, foresters and ATFS are helping to ensure the future health, productivity, and longevity of America’s private woodlands.

ATFS Combines the North Central and Western Regions

After successful completion of our first, full 3-year assessment cycle for third-party certification, the ATFS Certification program will be recertified in 2012. The assessment process is valuable in many ways. First, it represents the third-party verification that is a hallmark of a globally recognized and competitive certification program. In addition, the assessment also provides a critical opportunity to engage with Tree Farmers and highlight their excellent on-the-ground stewardship. In addition, through the assessment process, we also learn about opportunities to strengthen and enhance the ATFS certification program into the future.

Stumped Spring 2012

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I work in a state where State Best Management Practices (BMPs) are voluntary. Do landowners have to implement BMPs to be ATFS Certified?

Stumped Summer 2012

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: One of my clients owns several scattered parcels in a county; can I certify them all as a single Tree Farm?

2011 National Outstanding Inspector of the Year

Congratulations to Brian Cobble, of Live Oak, Florida for being the 2011 National Outstanding Inspector of the Year.

Congratulations are also in order for the 2011 Regional Inspectors of the Year, Michael Heath, Oregon; Sam Topper, Delaware; and John Joliff, Ohio. ATFS Inspectors are truly the boots on the ground for Tree Farm.

Stumped Spring 2011

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Can I conduct a phone interview for a required inspection?

Q:As an inspector, what sort of evidence should I look for to see if the Tree Farmer has met the Standards’ indicators?

Q: One of my clients has a Tree Farm of more than 10,000 acres. How can I keep them in the Tree Farm program even though all Tree Farms over 10,000 acres are no longer eligible for the State Tree Farm Program?

Q:My training as an inspector expired. How can I take update my training?

ATFS Continues to Provide New Tools for You and Your Landowners

There are many different types of planning documents that a landowner could use to guide their forest management. The common goal of these plans is to help the landowner (and the operators they work with) achieve their objectives. There are 4.4 million landowners that own 10 or more acres of woods and they have a variety of reasons for owning their woodlands. But all landowners can benefit from having a plan for their property. Whatever type of planning document is used, the goal should be to make it useful and meaningful for the landowner.