TENDING AMERICA'S FORESTS

The American Tree Farm System is a nationwide community of 70,000 individuals and families joined by their desire for excellence in forest stewardship. They share a unique commitment to protect watersheds and wildlife habitat, to conserve soil and provide recreation for their neighbors and, at the same time, to produce wood America needs to grow.

More than 58 percent of the productive forests in America are owned by ordinary citizens - not by government or big industry. These 9.9 million forest owners hold the key to just what kind of forests future generations of Americans will enjoy.

GETTING STARTED

Sound, sustainable forestry begins with determining your objectives: deciding what you have on your lands and developing a forest management plan that meets your needs. A professional forester can answer your questions and help you develop your management plan.

To qualify for Tree Farm certification, woodlands must be

• ten acres or more;
• under management, with an implemented plan that accounts for water quality, wildlife habitat, and soil conservation as well as production of forest products;
• protected from fire, insects, disease and destructive grazing.

If you meet these criteria, a free inspection of your woodlands can be arranged through your State Tree Farm Committee. If you're just discovering the benefits of forest management and haven't met the qualifications for full Tree Farm certification, you may be eligible to become a Pioneer Tree Farmer.

Whatever the motive - pride, profit, pleasure or a combination of all three - becoming a Tree Farmer helps landowners get the most out of their woodlands.

ROOTS OF SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

PRIDE. Certified Tree Farmers receive a certificate and a sign that marks their land as a place where excellent forestry is practiced. Just as important, they share the satisfaction that comes from managing their land to the highest standards of good stewardship - knowing that this commitment has been recognized by their peers. Each year, Tree Farmers from around the country compete for the honor of being named state, regional or national Tree Farmer of the Year.

PROFIT. Being a Tree Farmer often means you will grow and harvest more timber, and earn more income than you might have thought possible. Along with these financial rewards will come healthier forests, cleaner water and better habitat for wildlife the other rewards that landowners seek from investing in sound, sustainable forestry.

PLEASURE. Many people are drawn to Tree Farm simply because they enjoy being in the woods. Some look forward to the hard work of planting and tending. Others take their pleasure in recreation or the natural beauty of their forests.

A GREEN LEGACY. That's the sentiment that motivates all the Tree Farmers and volunteers who work under the Tree Farm sign. To qualify as a Tree Farmer, landowners generally manage at least 10 acres of forest land. They must prepare a written plan that details their management objectives and shows how they will provide for wildlife, recreation, water and soil conservation while producing timber. After their land is inspected by one of the 9,000 foresters who volunteer time to the American Tree Farm System, landowners are certified and earn the right to display a Tree Farm sign. Every five years thereafter, Tree Farms are reinspected to assure that landowners continue to meet the rigorous forestry certification criteria of the System.

The Tree Farm program in California is sponsored by Forest Landowners of California, an association of individual or family forest owners. The national program is sponsored by American Forest Foundation.

BECOME A TREE FARMER

For more information on how you can become a part of the Tree Farm program, contact: