American Tree Farm System
The American Tree Farm System, under the umbrella of the American Forest Foundation, is a certification program aimed at private landowners. Its mission is to "promote the growing of renewable forest resources on private lands while protecting environmental benefits and increasing public understanding of all benefits of productive forestry." The program currently has 80,000 family forest owners with 33.2 million acres of forestland in 46 states.
To become a certified Tree Farmer, one must meet a set of guidelines that have been outlined by the American Tree Farm System. A management plan is required by these guidelines. Also required is an inspection by an American Tree Farm System volunteer forester every five years.
More information related to the American Tree Farm System can be found at their website, www.treefarmsystem.org, along with their Standards of Sustainability for Forest Certification.
Encyclopedia ID: p1291
