Countdown to NLC: Engaging More Landowners, More Quickly

One of the greatest benefits of the American Tree Farm System is the opportunity for volunteers and foresters to work together to reach landowners, share knowledge and get folks excited about managing their land. When we surveyed Tree Farmers across the country, the majority told us that forester visits, certification, and being part of the local forestry community are important in helping them manage their woods.

Removing Barriers:  Streamlining Enrollment

At the same time, we also heard from state leaders and foresters that participation in Tree Farm can be challenging for foresters and too complicated for landowners. Some of this is tied to the time required for paperwork and administration, which takes time away from building relationships with landowners and helping them take action on their land. These time constraints can affect how many foresters are willing to participate and creates a long process for landowners to become a part of the program. 

One way we’re addressing this issue is by working with foresters, partners, and state programs to test and implement Landscape Management Plans (LMP). This alternative approach to individual management plans reduces the time and cost barriers of certification, while fully meeting the ATFS Standards of Sustainability and providing landowners with an action plan for their woods. Foresters can spend less time writing a plan and more time in the field working with landowners to increase active forest management. In our pilot areas of Alabama and Florida, it now takes weeks instead of months to get landowners enrolled in ATFS and certified, thanks to the LMP.  

Continuing the Conversation

We look forward to sharing more about the Landscape Management Plan during the 2019 NLC. There are several concurrent session opportunities on Wednesday, February 27 to learn about this new approach to engaging more landowners through ATFS:

• Hear from partners in Alabama and Florida in their concurrent session to find out how they’re working in these pilot states so far;
• Join ATFS staff Laura Bosworth and Nephtali Chavez for a concurrent session focused on lessons learned and the future of the LMP; and
• Stop by our ATFS Open House to share your thoughts, ask questions, and hear our approach to rolling out the LMP to other states in the future.

Can’t make it to NLC? Share your thoughts with your state’s NLC representative, or reach out to ATFS staff. Remember, you can find the full countdown to NLC, along with more resources, on our website. Stay tuned for next week to learn about more ways we’re making it easier for foresters to participate.